Panzram
06-27-2004, 04:30 AM
Carl Crawford drove in three runs, including a go-ahead run-scoring double in the seventh inning, and the host Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat the Florida Marlins, 6-4, last night to tie a major league record with their 13th consecutive interleague victory.
The Devil Rays also became the first team in major league history to climb above .500 at any point in a season after being 18 games below, continuing a surge during which they have compiled baseball's best record (26-7) since May 20.
Tampa Bay was 10-28 after losing 19 of 22 from April 25-May 19. But their turnaround, which included a club-record 12-game winning streak, has them at 36-35 - the latest point in a season they have been above .500.
The Devil Rays improved the majors' best interleague record to 13-1 by matching the 13-game run the Yankees began against National League opponents last year. The San Diego Padres snapped the Yankees' streak on June 11.
Crawford had two hits for the seventh consecutive game and stole his American League-leading 33rd base. He had a two-run single in the second, and snapped a 4-4 tie with double off Matt Perisho in the seventh.
WHITE SOX 6, CUBS 3 Paul Konerko and Joe Crede homered in a five-run third to back a solid six-inning effort from the rookie right-hander Felix Diaz in the White Sox' victory over the Cubs.
Jose Valentin added a bases-empty homer in the seventh for the White Sox, who lead the majors in scoring and tied the interleague series between the teams at 1-1.
Diaz (1-1) got his first big league victory in a frenetic setting at U.S. Cellular Field. He had been called up Friday to start the game after Scott Schoeneweis was put on the disabled list with a sore elbow.
Roughed up in his first two major league starts earlier this season when he gave up 11 earned runs in eight and two-thirds innings, Diaz was more composed in his third start.
Shingo Takatsu, the Japanese saves leaders known as Mr. Zero, pitched a perfect ninth for his third save in as many chances, extending his scoreless streak to 25 1/3 innings.
ANGELS 7, DODGERS 5 Garret Anderson's second two-run homer drove in the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning, and Vladimir Guerrero added a two-run shot and scored three times to help visiting Anaheim rally for the victory over slumping Los Angeles.
Anderson's sixth homer, off Guillermo Mota, followed a leadoff single by Guerrero and snapped a 5-5 tie. The victory was the Angels' sixth in a row against Los Angeles dating to last season.
RANGERS 8, ASTROS 7 Hank Blalock matched a career high with four hits, including the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, and host Texas beat Houston for its eighth consecutive victory.
Blalock went 4 for 5, and his 18th homer came with two outs off Dan Miceli (3-3). He is hitting .528 (28 for 53) over his last 15 games.
Houston lost for the second time in less than 24 hours since acquiring outfielder Carlos Beltran from Kansas City.
Kevin Mench also homered and Alfonso Soriano had four singles for the Rangers, who lead the A.L. West.
The Devil Rays also became the first team in major league history to climb above .500 at any point in a season after being 18 games below, continuing a surge during which they have compiled baseball's best record (26-7) since May 20.
Tampa Bay was 10-28 after losing 19 of 22 from April 25-May 19. But their turnaround, which included a club-record 12-game winning streak, has them at 36-35 - the latest point in a season they have been above .500.
The Devil Rays improved the majors' best interleague record to 13-1 by matching the 13-game run the Yankees began against National League opponents last year. The San Diego Padres snapped the Yankees' streak on June 11.
Crawford had two hits for the seventh consecutive game and stole his American League-leading 33rd base. He had a two-run single in the second, and snapped a 4-4 tie with double off Matt Perisho in the seventh.
WHITE SOX 6, CUBS 3 Paul Konerko and Joe Crede homered in a five-run third to back a solid six-inning effort from the rookie right-hander Felix Diaz in the White Sox' victory over the Cubs.
Jose Valentin added a bases-empty homer in the seventh for the White Sox, who lead the majors in scoring and tied the interleague series between the teams at 1-1.
Diaz (1-1) got his first big league victory in a frenetic setting at U.S. Cellular Field. He had been called up Friday to start the game after Scott Schoeneweis was put on the disabled list with a sore elbow.
Roughed up in his first two major league starts earlier this season when he gave up 11 earned runs in eight and two-thirds innings, Diaz was more composed in his third start.
Shingo Takatsu, the Japanese saves leaders known as Mr. Zero, pitched a perfect ninth for his third save in as many chances, extending his scoreless streak to 25 1/3 innings.
ANGELS 7, DODGERS 5 Garret Anderson's second two-run homer drove in the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning, and Vladimir Guerrero added a two-run shot and scored three times to help visiting Anaheim rally for the victory over slumping Los Angeles.
Anderson's sixth homer, off Guillermo Mota, followed a leadoff single by Guerrero and snapped a 5-5 tie. The victory was the Angels' sixth in a row against Los Angeles dating to last season.
RANGERS 8, ASTROS 7 Hank Blalock matched a career high with four hits, including the go-ahead homer in the eighth inning, and host Texas beat Houston for its eighth consecutive victory.
Blalock went 4 for 5, and his 18th homer came with two outs off Dan Miceli (3-3). He is hitting .528 (28 for 53) over his last 15 games.
Houston lost for the second time in less than 24 hours since acquiring outfielder Carlos Beltran from Kansas City.
Kevin Mench also homered and Alfonso Soriano had four singles for the Rangers, who lead the A.L. West.