Bonds HR ball arrives

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jul 2, 2008

Garza shut down nemesis Wakefield, Red Sox 3-1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Garza pitched seven strong innings in his first outing since throwing a one-hitter, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston and nemesis Tim Wakefield 3-1 on Tuesday night.

The win extended their lead in the AL East to 21/2 games over the second-place Red Sox.

Garza (7-4) allowed an unearned run and five hits, and Dioner Navarro snapped a fourth-inning tie with an RBI single off Wakefield (5-6), whose 19 career victories against Tampa Bay - nine at Tropicana Field - are the most by an opposing pitcher.

The Rays have won seven of eight, improving the best record in the major leagues to 51-32. They are 5-0 at home against the Red Sox, who have won all six games the teams have played at Fenway Park this season.

RANGERS 3, YANKEES 2 - At New York, Michael Young had an RBI single off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning to help give Texas its second straight win over New York.

Rivera (2-3) came on in the ninth after the New York bullpen held Texas to one hit in four innings in relief of Joba Chamberlain and proceeded to give up hits to the first two batters he faced.

It was the Yankees' third straight loss.

WHITE SOX 3, INDIANS 2 - At Chicago, Alexei Ramirez tied it with a two-out homer and Orlando Cabrera won it with an RBI single, both in the 10th inning, and Chicago rallied for its sixth straight win.

With the White Sox trailing 2-1 and two outs, Ramirez hit a towering fly off Indians closer Joe Borowski. Cleveland left fielder Ben Francisco went back to the fence like he might have a play, but the ball just sailed over to tie the game.

TWINS 6, TIGERS 4 - At Minneapolis, Craig Monroe hit a three-run homer and Justin Morneau added three hits to help Minnesota beat Detroit.

Mike Redmond had two RBIs for Minnesota, which has won eight of 10 and 12 of its last 14.

Marcus Thames hit his second homer in as many games for the Tigers.

National League

PHILLIES 8, BRAVES 3 - At Atlanta, Shane Victorino hit a home run and drove in four runs as the Phillies remained unbeaten at Turner Field this season.

Pat Burrell also hit a homer for the Phillies, who improved to 6- 1 against the Braves this season. They are 4-0 in Atlanta.

Chipper Jones was 1-for-3 with a double and two walks in his return after missing eight straight starts with a strained right quadriceps. Mark Kotsay came off the disabled list after missing 33 games since May 26 with a lower back strain. He went 0-for-4.

METS 7, CARDINALS 4 - At St. Louis, Tony Armas won his season debut after a minor league callup and eighth-place hitter Ramon Castro had two hits and three RBIs for the Mets.

David Wright hit his 16th homer and lacked a triple for the cycle in an offense that had 14 hits after mustering six runs while dropping three of the previous four games.

NATIONALS 9, MARLINS 6 - At Miami, Collin Balester won his debut, and Ronnie Belliard hit a grand slam to lift Washington.

Balester gave up one hit and struck out three in five innings to become the first Nationals starting pitcher to win his big league debut.

ROCKIES 4, PADRES 0 - At Denver, Aaron Cook tossed a five-hitter for the first shutout of his career, and the Colorado Rockies ended an eight-game losing streak.

Cook (11-5) struck out four and needed 79 pitches and 1 hour, 58 minutes for his second complete game of the season, eighth of his career. He didn't allow a runner past first base and faced just three batters over the minimum.

PIRATES 6, REDS 5 - At Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh Pirates blew two more late leads, but Jack Wilson - batting at the very bottom of the order - hit a tiebreaking triple in the 11th inning that set up a victory.

Wilson's run-scoring triple off David Weathers (2-4) snapped a 4- all tie in the 11th.

The Associated PressPlayers' association files grievance for Chacon

NEW YORK - The players' association filed a grievance Tuesday over the release of pitcher Shawn Chacon, saying the team's decision to terminate his contract was without just cause.

Chacon cleared waivers and was released Monday, five days after a physical altercation with Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade in the clubhouse.

Chacon had a $2 million salary this year, and the decision to terminate the contract meant $983,607 won't be paid.

BRETT MYERS, leading the major leagues with 24 home runs allowed and coming off the shortest start of his career with the Phillies, is headed to the minor leagues. Myers agreed to be optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

YANKEES SHORTSTOP DEREK JETER responded to being left out of the lineup Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers by smiling. Jeter was given the night off by manager Joe Girardi two weeks before the All- Star Game.

THE GIANTS recalled former backup catcher Eliezer Alfonzo from Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday, nine days after he completed a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

BRETT WALLACE homered twice in his first handful of batting- practice cuts at Busch Stadium. The former Arizona State infielder, selected with the 13th pick of the first round last month, agreed to a contract Tuesday for a signing bonus of about $1.84 million.