The Nationals finally scored in the first inning when Austin Kearns hit a three-run homer off the Mets’ Oliver Perez. It took 23 games in 2007 for the Nationals to put up a run in their first at-bat (they had been outscored 22-0) and it paid off in a 4-3 victory on Friday night.
The Red Sox have the AL’s best record and received some more good news. Left-hander and cancer survivor Jon Lester pitched five shutout innings for Triple-A Pawtucket in what is expected to be his second-to-last rehab outing before he returns to the rotation.
Former White Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand is flourishing with the Phillies. He was 4-for-5 with his fifth home run in the Phillies’ 6-5 victory over the Marlins, extending his career-best hitting streak to 15 and raising his average to .390. He was a triple short of the cycle.
THREE DOWN
The Reds’ Ken Griffey did not start for the second straight game with pleurisy, an inflammation in the lining of a cavity surrounding the lungs. It is not expected to sideline him for long. Griffey walked as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning in a 3-1 loss to the Pirates.
The rough season for the Yankees’ continued in an 11-4 loss to the Red Sox. Trying to get some work in, closer Mariano Rivera was pounded for four earned runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning. Rivera’s ERA ballooned to 12.15 and he is still without a save.
Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya had his fourth straight subpar outing, allowing three hits, an intentional walk and two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning as the Twins rallied for a 5-3 victory. Zumaya’s ERA has risen from 0.90 to 4.50 over that span.
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Compiled by Mike Pankow
