Daisuke Matsuzaka won his fifth straight decision Saturday as the Red Sox pounded the Braves 13-3 in the day-night doubleheader opener. The Japanese import, who struck out six and allowed nine hits in eight innings, didn’t issue a walk for his second straight outing.
Twins starter Scott Baker, called up from Triple-A Rochester, held the Brewers to six hits in 8 1/3 innings in his first big-league appearance this season. Baker, who made the team out of spring training last season but faltered this March, earned his first win since Aug. 17.
A’s slugger Nick Swisher had his unruly long hair chopped off before Saturday’s game. Swisher’s hair will be used to create a wig for cancer patients by a women’s cancer research fund. Swisher’s grandmother, Betty, died of brain cancer in 2005.
THREE DOWN
Jamie Moyer was tagged by the Blue Jays for seven runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings in his second straight subpar outing and his worst start since joining the Phillies in August. It was his shortest stint since lasting 2 1/3 innings May 11, 2005, against the Yankees.
Cincinnati outfielder Josh Hamilton, the National League’s top rookie in April, was taken to a Cleveland hospital early Saturday morning with a stomach problem and later released. A Reds spokesman said Hamilton was diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
The Rockies designated infielder John Mabry for assignment, meaning Colorado has 10 days to trade, release or outright the former Cub to the minor leagues. Mabry was 4-for-34, batting .118 with one home run and five RBIs in 28 games.
