Gil Meche looks to be a good investment for the Royals. Meche, who signed a five-year, $55 million contract in the off-season, pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and retired 17 straight after Vladimir Guerrero’s two-run homer in the first in a 5-2 win over the Angels.
The Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki set an AL record when he was successful on his 41st straight stolen base attempt in the first inning against the Red Sox. He had been tied with Tim Raines (who did it over 1993-95). Vince Coleman holds the major-league record of 50.
Manny Ramirez hit two homers, including a solo shot to right-center in the eighth as the Red Sox rallied from a 5-0 deficit to defeat the Mariners 8-7. On his go-ahead shot, Ramirez admired it from the batter’s box for several seconds as the ball sailed over the bullpen.
THREE DOWN
Since signing a five-year, $65 million deal with the Rangers before 2002, Chan Ho Park has seen his career falter. The nadir came Thursday as he was designated for assignment by the Mets, three days after allowing seven runs in four innings against the Marlins.
The Rangers’ Sammy Sosa was drilled in the head by Brian Bruney in the sixth inning and had to leave Game 2 of a doubleheader with the Yankees. Bruney’s 2-1 pitch knocked Sosa’s helmet off as the slugger fell to his knees. Former Clemente High star Victor Diaz replaced him.
Diamondbacks’ closer Jose Valverde gave up five runs as the Mets rallied for a 9-4 victory with a six-run ninth. Damion Easley’s three-run homer to left-center was the big blow. Valverde faced six batters, recording only one out.
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Compiled by Mike Pankow
