Ryan Howard hit a 451-foot solo homer and drove in four runs, leading the Phillies over the Indians 9-6. “As long as it’s over the wall, it doesn’t matter how far it goes, whether it’s 600 feet or 401 feet,” he said. Of Howard’s last 27 hits, 13 have been home runs.
The Tigers’ Sean Casey continued his dominance of the Washington/Montreal franchise. He hit his first homer of the season and drove in a season-high four runs. His .400 average (76-for-190) against the franchise is the best among active players.
Johan Santana seldom has it this easy. The Twins gave him some rare run support in a 9-0 complete-game win. The lefty needed only 92 pitches for his first shutout since ’05 — and he didn’t even get a strikeout until the ninth. Santana was smiling on the mound …
THREE DOWN
… But this one was no fun for the Mets. Third baseman David Wright fired his glove into the dugout as he came off the field in the fifth, moments after committing his second error of the game. New York’s four errors doubled its previous season high for a game.
St. Louis scratched Kip Wells from his start and bumped him to the bullpen — and told him three hours before the game. Wells (2-11) leads the majors in losses. “Obviously, it’s frustrating,” he said. “Other than that, I didn’t come in here and throw chairs and break stuff.”
Barry Bonds, who was watched by Commissioner Bud Selig in a low-key Miller Park appearance Monday, went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout to remain at 748 career home runs. After 11 homers in his first 77 at-bats, the Giants slugger has only three in his last 95.
