THREE UP
Brian Giles capped a big weekend as the Padres right fielder homered twice for the second straight day, including his first career leadoff homer, in a 10-4 win over the Reds. Giles hit five homers in the three-game series at Great American Ball Park, increasing his total to seven.
While his brother Jeff dominated the White Sox, the Angels’ Jered Weaver did just about the same against the Twins. Weaver (8-5) gave up two runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking none in the Angels’ 6-2 victory, completing a three-game sweep.
Tom Gorzelanny started strong and finished even stronger as the second-year Pirates lefty dominated the Giants for his first career shutout. Gorzelanny, who starred at Marist High School and Triton College, gave up five hits in the 5-0 win and retired the final 17 batters.
THREE DOWN
Athletics rookie Dallas Braden lasted just 1 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs and seven hits to fall to 1-7 in an 11-6 loss to the Tigers. Braden, who has shuttled between Triple-A Sacramento and Oakland, hasn’t won since April 24, his first big-league start. “I’m alive. Barely,” he said.
The Dodgers’ Mark Hendrickson lasted 2 2/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season, and gave up eight runs on 11 hits in a 12-2 loss to the Cardinals. He exited after David Eckstein’s line drive up the middle ripped his glove off and bruised fingers on both hands.
The usually reliable Diamondbacks’ bullpen, which entered with a 3.71 ERA, blew two leads in a 7-6 loss to the Nationals. Doug Slaten allowed a tying homer in the eighth, and closer Jose Valverde gave up two runs in the ninth.
Compiled by Mike Pankow
