To say Orioles’ pitchers have had a rough year is an understatement, but former Cub Jon Leicester combined with three relievers for a five-hit shutout against the Angels. Leicester, who pitched in 38 games with the Cubs in 2004-05, scattered four hits in 5 2/3 innings of the 3-0 win.
Ex-White Sox slugger Frank Thomas drove in both of Toronto’s runs in the Blue Jays’ 2-1 win over the Yankees, including the game-winning single in the ninth off Chris Britton. Thomas also had an RBI double in the first off Ian Kennedy — the only hit off the Yankees’ rookie.
The Phillies’ bullpen stepped up with eight innings of one-run, two-hit ball after J.D. Durbin left in the second. He yielded three runs on five hits and three walks in one-plus inning in a 12-4 win over the Rockies. Geoff Geary got the win, pitching three scoreless innings.
THREE DOWN
Rockies left-handed starter Jeff Francis, usually solid on the road, gave up eight runs on eight hits and walked four in 3 1/3 innings in a 12-4 loss to the Phillies. Coming into the game, Francis’ ERA on the road was about a half-run lower than at home (3.77-4.28).
In a battle of 40-something pitchers, the Padres’ Greg Maddux was sent to the showers early. The 41-year-old former Cub allowed six runs on 10 hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Maddux’s foe David Wells, 44, gave up three runs on four hits in six innings in the Dodgers’ 6-0 win.
Matching their worst road trip in 35 years, the defending World Series champion Cardinals lost to the Reds 5-4 in the final game of their seven-game swing to finish 0-7. Ex-White Sox pitcher Kip Wells suffered his 17th loss.
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Compiled by Mike Pankow
