AL Capsules

 

CHICAGO (AP) -Johan Santana allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 3-1 on Sunday.
Justin Morneau hit a three-run homer off rookie John Danks in the fourth, and that was enough for Santana (2-0), who struggled a bit with his control early before retiring the final 17 batters he faced.
The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner struck out nine and walked three while improving to 10-1 in his last 12 starts against Chicago.
The lone hit off Santana was a bloop single to right by Joe Crede leading off the second. Chicago’s Juan Uribe hit a solo homer – his second in two days – off Jesse Crain in the eighth. Joe Nathan pitched the ninth for his third save, completing the four-hitter.
Danks (0-1) was solid in his major league debut, allowing four hits in six innings while striking out six and walking two.
Tigers 3, Royals 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Ivan Rodriguez hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning and Detroit rallied to beat Kansas City.
Rodriguez hit the first pitch from David Riske (0-1) over the left-field fence after Magglio Ordonez led off the inning with a double and Carlos Guillen walked. It was the 20th career home run against the Royals for Rodriguez, who is a .352 hitter at Kauffman Stadium.
Fernando Rodney (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win. Todd Jones got his third save in three chances.
Rodriguez’s homer spoiled an excellent start by Royals right-hander Brandon Duckworth, who pitched 6 1-3 scoreless innings. Mark Teahen homered and hit an RBI single off Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman, who struck out eight in six solid innings.
Orioles 6, Yankees 4
NEW YORK (AP) – Paul Bako put Baltimore ahead with his first home run since 2004, a three-run drive that led the Orioles past New York on a snowy afternoon.
Erik Bedard (1-1), chased early by Minnesota on opening day, gave up a two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez in a three-run first and then rebounded to retire his next 11 batters and 20 of 22.
On a day when flurries swirled after the sun came out, Nick Markakis had three hits to complete a 7-for-15 weekend. He also made a diving catch in right field for the second consecutive day – both on Jason Giambi.
In the biggest oddity, Andy Pettitte came in for just his second relief appearance since 1998 after Darrell Rasner (0-1) made it five flops in a row for New York’s starting rotation.
Yankees nemesis Kevin Millar hit a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly. New York made its eighth error in five games.
Athletics 2, Angels 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Joe Blanton beat Los Angeles for the first time in seven career decisions, and Oakland got RBI doubles from Shannon Stewart and Nick Swisher to earn a four-game split.
Blanton (1-0) allowed a run and five hits in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander stranded a runner in scoring position in each of the first four innings.
Kelvim Escobar (1-1) was charged with two runs and eight hits over six innings.
The Oakland bullpen retired the final 11 Angels batters in order. Huston Street, the fifth A’s pitcher, got three outs for his second save. This was the 21st one-run game between the teams during their last 42 meetings.
Blue Jays 6, Devil Rays 3
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Roy Halladay won for the first time since last August and Reed Johnson hit a three-run homer to lead Toronto past Tampa Bay.
Halladay (1-0) had gone winless in seven starts since beating Baltimore on Aug. 20. He gave up three runs, seven hits and three walks in seven innings. He struck out seven.
Vernon Wells also homered for the Blue Jays. Casey Janssen pitched two innings for his first career save.
Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir (0-1) struck out 10 in seven innings. He allowed four runs and six hits with two walks. Rocco Baldelli had a solo homer.
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