THREE UP
Manny Ramirez wasted no time hitting career home run No. 501. One night after reaching the 500 milestone, Ramirez homered and drove in three runs in the Red Sox’s 9-4 win over the Orioles.
Cardinals starter Braden Looper was so-so on the mound Sunday: 52/3 innings, eight hits, three runs in a 7-4 win over the Pirates. At the plate, though, he had two more hits to raise his average to .429.
The legend of Jay Bruce is growing. The Reds rookie homered again in a 6-2 win to finish his first week 13-for-22 with two homers and six RBIs in six games. He heard chants of “Bruuuuce” from fans.
THREE DOWN
The road has not been kind to Paul Byrd, who fell to 0-5 in his last six road starts after the Indians lost 6-1 to the Royals. Byrd lasted just 41/3 innings and gave up six runs and nine hits. He fell to 2-5.
After his third blown save, in a 7-5 loss to the Tigers, Mariners closer J.J. Putz (2-3) already has two more losses and one more blown save than all of last year. His ERA is now 5.60.
After falling to the Cardinals, Pirates starter Ian Snell has lost his last five decisions, is 0-5 in his last nine starts and hasn’t won since April 12. He gave up six runs in four-plus innings Sunday.
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EDITED BY BOB FOLTMAN AND THOMAS L. OUTLAW
