Jay Bruce, the Reds’ top prospect, made a memorable big-league debut, going 3-for-3 with two walks in five plate appearances in a 9-6 victory over the Pirates. He also had two RBIs and scored twice.
Josh Hamilton hit an eighth-inning grand slam against his former team as the Rangers cooled off the Rays 12-6. Hamilton, who was the top overall pick in the 1999 draft by Tampa Bay, also had an RBI double.
Hunter Pence had a career-high five hits in five at-bats and drove in two runs as the Astros defeated the Cardinals 8-2. Pence had an RBI infield single in Houston’s four-run first inning.
THREE DOWN
One night after the Rockies allowed 20 runs to the Phillies, Ubaldo Jimenez surrendered seven more in the first two innings in a 7-4 loss. Jimenez threw 94 pitches in just four innings.
Twins left fielder Delmon Young misplayed a sinking fly ball, turning it into an three-run inside-the-park homer for the Royals’ Mark Teahen in the ninth inning. The Twins won 4-3 in 12 innings.
A day off on Monday didn’t help Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton. The 20-year-old was 0-for-4 in a 6-3 loss to the Giants, extending his hitless stretch to 26 at-bats (including 17 strikeouts).
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EDITED BY MIKE PANKOW AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW
