Matthews’ cycle powers Texas to win
Gary Matthews Jr. walked into the clubhouse and his Texas teammates were waiting.
Matthews, who played for the Spokane Indians in 1994, got drenched in a celebratory beer bath after hitting for the cycle Wednesday night and leading the Rangers over the Detroit Tigers 11-3.
Matthews did it in order, too. He led off the game with a single, doubled in the second inning, tripled in the fourth and hit a 418-foot homer leading off the sixth.
The All-Star center fielder also walked in the eighth.
“It’s special,” Matthews said. “Everything lined up tonight. To go out and have days like this is really just the icing on the cake.”
Matthews became the third Rangers player to hit for the cycle. He joined Mark Teixeira (2004) and Oddibe McDowell (1985).
The Rangers roughed up Justin Verlander and sent the American League Central-leading Tigers to their 10th loss in 15 games. Detroit leads Minnesota by 1 1/2 games, while Chicago moved three back.
“Justin wasn’t good tonight. He didn’t have his good stuff and his command wasn’t there,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “We’re not worried about Minnesota – I’m sure they figure they missed an opportunity today, too. Chicago lost yesterday and won today. It’s going to come down to the wire, and we just have to win enough games to get in.”
Carlos Lee hit two solo home runs for Texas.
Verlander (16-8) yielded 10 hits and six runs in 4 1/3 innings. It was his shortest outing since April 13 when he went 2 2/3 against the White Sox.
“This was tough, because I gave up so many two-out hits,” Verlander said. “There are a lot of pitches I’d like back – a lot of pitches up in the zone.”
Mike Maroth entered the game, making his second appearance since returning from elbow surgery, and gave up a two-run homer to Matt Stairs.
Kevin Millwood (15-10) went seven innings to pick up the win for Texas.
Liriano’s return cut short
Minnesota Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, making his first start in more than a month, left in the third inning with left elbow pain and will miss the remainder of the season.
Liriano came off the disabled list earlier this week after being shelved since Aug. 8 with a strained ligament in his throwing arm. The Twins hoped his return to the starting rotation would carry them to the postseason.
The 22-year-old Dominican went 12-3 with a 2.19 ERA and was one of the favorites for the A.L. rookie of the year award before injuring his arm. Before, he combined with ace Johan Santana to form one of the most formidable 1-2 punches in the majors.
Clearing the bases
San Francisco closer Armando Benitez is done for the season because of inflammation in his right knee. … Sam Perlozzo will return as manager of the Baltimore Orioles in 2007, the club announced. … Houston left-hander Andy Pettitte had a cortisone injection in his elbow, a day after leaving a game in the third inning. Pettitte is scheduled to pitch Sunday against Philadelphia. … Chicago Cubs reliever Glendon Rusch was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung and will miss the rest of the season.