AL: Hafner clubs fifth to set a league record

By The Associated Press
Saturday, July 08, 2006 | No comments posted.

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CLEVELAND - Travis Hafner became the first player in major league history to hit five grand slams before the All-Star break, backing C.C. Sabathia's fourth career shutout and sending the Cleveland Indians to a 9-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Hafner's second-inning shot off Kris Benson (9-7) padded the gaudy stats of Cleveland's hard-hitting designated hitter, who despite being ranked in the top five in the American League in nine offensive categories, won't be playing in next Tuesday's All-Star game.

Sabathia (7-4) threw a career-low three-hitter - all singles - and didn't allow the Orioles to get a runner to second base. The only one who came close was Jeff Conine, who singled in the second but was thrown out trying to steal.

Hafner was first snubbed as an All-Star reserve by Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen - he chose White Sox DH Jim Thome and Boston's David Ortiz - and then finished third in an Internet poll to determine the AL's final roster spot.

With his 25th homer, a laser drive into the seats in right that made it 6-0, Hafner set Cleveland's season record for grand slams, breaking his tie with Al Rosen, who hit four in 1951.

The 29-year-old Hafner is the fourth major leaguer to hit five slams in a season. Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees holds the record with six in 1987. Jim Gentile of the Baltimore Orioles (1961) and Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs (1955) each had five.

Angels 3, Athletics 0

OAKLAND, Calif. - John Lackey retired 27 straight batters after allowing a leadoff double, winning his third straight start by pitching Los Angeles past Oakland.

Lackey (7-5) matched his career high with 10 strikeouts and threw a one-hitter to outpitch All-Star Barry Zito (8-6). It was the right-hander's fifth career complete game and fourth shutout, his first clean slate since a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay on May 7, 2004.

Robb Quinlan hit a two-run homer and Chone Figgins added a solo shot for the Angels.

Los Angeles shortstop Orlando Cabrera went 0-for-4, ending his streak of reaching base safely in 63 consecutive games - the longest run in the majors since at least 1960. Ted Williams holds the record with 84 straight games in 1949.

Tigers 6, Mariners 1

SEATTL - Jeremy Bonderman came within one out of a shutout and Craig Monroe hit a long homer, leading Detroit over Seattle.

Bonderman, from Pasco, Wash., has 111 strikeouts this season, the most by a Tigers pitcher before the All-Star break in six years. But he had just four in this one. The right-hander gave up six hits and walked none in 8 2-3 innings.

Seattle avoided being blanked for the 11th time this season when Raul Ibanez's RBI single with two outs in the ninth chased Bonderman (8-4). With runners at first and second, Joel Zumaya struck out Richie Sexson to end it.

The Mariners have managed only one run in the past two games.

Yankees 1, Devil Rays 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jaret Wright matched a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed four hits in six sharp innings Friday night, leading the New York Yankees to a 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Bernie Williams drove in the only run with a fourth-inning single off Jae Seo (0-2), who was nearly as good as Wright in his second start for Tampa Bay since being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade last week. Seo was 2-4 with the Dodgers.

Wright (5-5) retired the last nine batters he faced, walked none and departed after 91 pitches. The Yankees' bullpen took up where he left off, with Scott Procter pitching a perfect seventh and Kyle Farnsworth posting a 1-2-3 eighth.

Mariano Rivera worked the ninth, finishing the combined four-hitter and earning his 19th save in 21 opportunities. Yankees pitchers retired their final 18 batters.

Royals 13, Blue Jays 3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Luke Hudson allowed one run in five innings in his first start of the season and John Buck and Matt Stairs homered to lead Kansas City past Toronto for its fourth straight victory.

David DeJesus and Doug Mientkiewicz each had three hits and drove in three runs for Kansas City.

The Royals, who lost 47 of their first 63 games, are 14-6 over the past 20, and the winning streak matches their longest of the season. The Blue Jays have lost five of six.

Hudson (2-3), the Royals' 13th starting pitcher this season, gave up two hits for his first win as a starter since Aug. 28, 2005, with Cincinnati.

Red Sox 7, White Sox 2

CHICAGO - David Ortiz became the first player in Red Sox history to hit 30 homers before the All-Star break and rookie Jon Lester won his fourth straight decision as Boston beat Chicago.

It was the first meeting between the teams since the White Sox swept the Red Sox in the AL division series last season. It was also a matchup of the last two World Series champions, franchises that both ended long title droughts in consecutive years.

Ortiz lined a two-run shot off Mark Buehrle (9-6) in the first inning to move one home run ahead of Chicago's Jim Thome for the major league lead. It gave Ortiz three homers in the last two games and seven in seven games.

Rangers 9, Twins 4

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Michael Young and Gary Matthews Jr. homered, sending Texas to a victory over Minnesota.

Hank Blalock added three hits and three RBIs for the Rangers, who built a big lead for spot starter John Wasdin (2-1).

Joe Mauer, Jason Kubel and Justin Morneau each hit a solo homer for Minnesota, which has lost three straight after an 11-game winning streak. Starting pitcher Carlos Silva (4-9) left early with a strained right knee.
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