BOSTON (AP)—The New York Yankees capitalized on a costly fielding error to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-4 in the American League on Tuesday.
With two outs in the eighth Boston shortstop Marco Scutaro(notes) fielded Derek Jeter’s(notes) routine grounder and only had to throw to first to retire the side. But the throw went in the dirt and off first baseman Kevin Youkilis’(notes) glove, allowing Jeter to first, loading the bases.
Then Boston pitcher Hideki Okajima(notes) walked Nick Johnson(notes) to put the Yankees up 5-4 and ahead to stay.
New York’s Alfredo Aceves(notes) pitched two hitless innings to take the win, while Mariano Rivera(notes) got his first save of the year and 527th of his career, most in AL history.
Twins 5, Angels 3
In Anaheim, California, Joe Mauer(notes), Justin Morneau(notes) and J.J. Hardy(notes) each homered, leading Minnesota over Los Angeles.
Twins starter Nick Blackburn(notes) returned to the site of his first big league start and took the win, allowing three runs over 6 2-3 innings with four strikeouts.
Minnesota closer Jon Rauch(notes) made his season debut with a perfect ninth inning to earn his first AL save.
Angels starter Joe Saunders(notes) gave up three homers and five runs over five innings.
Athletics 2, Mariners 1, 10 innings
In Oakland, California, Mark Ellis(notes) hit a game-ending RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning, lifting Oakland over Seattle.
Oakland’s Kevin Kouzmanoff(notes) and Kurt Suzuki(notes) each singled with one out in the 10th. After Eric Chavez(notes) flew out, Ellis singled into the right-center gap to score pinch-runner Eric Patterson(notes).
Edwar Ramirez(notes) pitched the 10th for the A’s to earn his first win since 2008, when he was with the New York Yankees. Oakland starter Dallas Braden(notes) struck out a career-high 10.
Seattle pitcher Kanekoa Texeira(notes) took the loss in his major league debut.
Rays 4, Orioles 3
In St. Petersburg, Florida, Carl Crawford(notes) drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double in the ninth inning to lift Tampa Bay over Baltimore.
Tampa Bay loaded the bases in the ninth against Baltimore closer Michael Gonzalez with a single, double and an intentional walk. Crawford lined a 1-0 pitch into right field, driving in the winning runs before a sellout crowd.
Evan Longoria(notes) homered in the sixth for the Rays.
Adam Jones(notes), Luke Scott(notes) and Matt Wieters(notes) homered for the Orioles, who were unable to put the game away because of a lack of timely hitting with runners in scoring position.
Rays reliever Rafael Soriano(notes) got the win, despite struggling to get through the top of the ninth, while Gonzalez took the loss.
