The Yankees’ Mike Mussina limited the Orioles to three singles over seven innings en route to a 12-0 victory. He has thrown 12 2/3 scoreless innings since his starting spot was restored in the rotation. Mussina (10-10) has won at least 10 games in AL-record 16 straight seasons.
Torii Hunter drove in two runs to set his career high for a season with 104 as the Twins beat the Rangers 4-2. A ninth-inning error cost Texas Monday’s game. Tuesday, shortstop Michael Young made two of his three errors in the third to help the Twins take a 2-1 lead.
Johnny Estrada’s grand slam sparked the Brewers to a 9-1 victory over the Astros. Estrada, who had a slam against Houston earlier this season, is 6-for-10 with 19 RBIs with the bases loaded this year. Milwaukee leads the NL with eight grand slams this season.
THREE DOWN
The Red Sox led 2-1 in the eighth when Frank Thomas drew a two-out walk off reliever Eric Gagne, who proceeded to give up a single, two more walks and a two-run double in a 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Boston’s lead over the Yankees is down to 2 1/2 games.
After a closed-door team meeting, the Mets bombed again, losing 9-8 to the Nationals for their fifth straight loss. John Maine, staked to a 7-3 lead, gave up five runs in the fifth inning. New York also lost Moises Alou due to tightness in his left quadriceps muscle.
Cardinals rookie Brendan Ryan was benched by manager Tony La Russa after flying out in the first inning, apparently for swinging at a 3-0 pitch. La Russa walked to the opposite end of the dugout, returned and then mouthed the words “You’re done!” to Ryan.
