Associated Press
Posted: 3:44 am
July 6, 2008
Andy Sonnanstine pitched seven strong innings, Ben Zobrist homered again and the Rays beat the Royals 3-0 last night in St. Petersburg, Fla., for their sixth straight victory.
Zobrist homered for the third game in a row as the Rays increased their AL East lead to a season-high four games over Boston. Tampa has won 10 of 11.
Sonnanstine (10-3) won his fourth consecutive decision. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out two.
J.P Howell pitched the eighth inning and Grant Balfour worked the ninth for his third save.
Royals right fielder Jose Guillen, involved in a heated exchange with Kansas City pitching coach Bob McClure in the clubhouse before the game, went 0-for-4 and struck out twice.
Guillen and McClure argued face-to-face, but no punches were thrown before players and coaches separated them. Guillen, who unleashed a profanity-filled tirade against his teammates in May, declined to comment on the incident.
Guillen knocked over chairs during the confrontation. Tempers flared after Guillen made a comment about coaches - he then told McClure he wasn't talking specifically about him.
White Sox 6, Athletics 1
In Chicago, Gavin Floyd pitched 71/3 scoreless innings to get his 10th victory and Nick Swisher, Brian Anderson and Alexei Ramirez homered in the White Sox's win over the Athletics.
Rangers 5, Orioles 3
In Baltimore, Ian Kinsler homered, German Duran and Michael Young had three hits apiece, and the Rangers used a sharp pitching performance by substitute starter Scott Feldman to beat the Orioles.
Twins 9, Indians 6
In Minneapolis, Joe Mauer homered, walked three times and scored three runs to help Kevin Slowey and the streaking Twins rallied past the Indians.
Blue Jays 7, Angels 5
In Anaheim, Vernon Wells hit a two-run homer, Alex Rios went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three stolen bases, and the Blue Jays beat the error-plagued Angels.
Mariners 3, Tigers 2
In Seattle, rookie Jeff Clement homered in his final two at-bats, the second a two-run shot off Detroit reliever Fernando Rodney in the eighth inning, to lift the Mariners.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cardinals 5, Cubs 4
In St. Louis, Rick Ankiel slapped a two-run, two-out single to right field in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a three-run rally and lead the Cardinals.
Reds 3, Nationals 2
In Cincinnati, Brandon Phillips singled in Jerry Hairston Jr. from second base in the ninth inning, lifting the Reds.
Hairston led off the ninth with his third hit of the game, a single off of Joel Hanrahan (5-3). Hairston stole second, but Jay Bruce struck out and Ken Griffey Jr. was intentionally walked.
Astros 6, Braves 1
In Atlanta, Mark Loretta had three doubles and drove in four runs and, with Ty Wigginton batting leadoff for the first time this season, the Astros scored four times in the first two innings on their way to a victory over the Braves.
Cooper also started Reggie Abercrombie in place of center fielder Michael Bourn.
Padres 4, D'backs 2
In Phoenix, Jake Peavy threw seven scoreless innings and Scott Hairston homered twice in the Padres victory over the slumping Diamondbacks.
Brewers 2, Pirates 1
In Milwaukee, Prince Fielder singled in Rickie Weeks with one out in the bottom of the ninth and the Brewers beat the Pirates for their second straight win.
Rockies 12, Marlins 6
In Denver, Matt Holliday homered and drove in four runs and Joe Koshansky hit his first major league homer as the injury-riddled Rockies won their season-best fifth straight.
Giants 5, Dodgers 2
In San Francisco, Randy Winn and Fred Lewis hit two-out RBI singles during San Francisco's four-run rally in the seventh inning and the Giants kept the Dodgers out of first place in the NL West.
