Magglio Ordonez had four hits, including two doubles, and three RBIs to take over the major-league lead with 45 in the Tigers’ 12-0 rout of the Angels. Jeremy Bonderman returned from the DL and enjoyed the big cushion: “It was a good, fun game for everyone.”
Former Sox slugger Frank Thomas hit his 493rd career homer, tying Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 21st on the career list, to help the Blue Jays rally past the Orioles 5-4. The solo shot left him two homers shy of matching Edgar Martinez for most by a designated hitter (243).
The Braves’ John Smoltz became baseball’s first pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, recording the milestone victory in a 2-1 decision over the Mets and ex-teammate Tom Glavine. Smoltz pitched seven shutout innings and became the NL’s first seven-game winner.
THREE DOWN
Mets cleanup hitter David Wright could not deliver against the Braves. He was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts as he stranded five runners on base. In the third inning with the bases loaded, Wright struck out swinging against Smoltz and threw down his bat and helmet.
Chalk it up as a bad day for the Mariners’ pitching staff in a 13-12 loss to the Devil Rays. After allowing three runs, starter Horacio Ramirez left after two innings with tightness in his left shoulder. Reliever Sean White couldn’t escape the third, when the Rays scored seven.
Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny escaped a few jams against the Cardinals but couldn’t avoid injury. His 118th and final pitch bruised his left thumb as he deflected Aaron Miles’ smash up the middle with one out in the sixth in a 3-1 loss.
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Compiled by Mike Pankow
