Morneau slugs Minnesota to top spot in AL Central
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-27 06:23

Justin Morneau had three hits, including a three-run homer, as the Minnesota Twins took over first place in the American League's Central division with an 8-4 road win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

The Twins now lead the Chicago White Sox by a half game in the Central after taking two of three from the Orioles.

Mike Cuddyer also homered and had three hits for Minnesota and scored a pair of runs as the Twins managed 15 hits off five Oriole pitchers.

Kyle Lohse (4-7) lasted just five innings but got the win. He allowed four runs - three earned - on seven hits while three relievers finished up to complete the nine-hitter.

Daniel Cabrera (8-4) was knocked around for eight runs on 11 hits in just five innings and took the loss for the Orioles.

Miguel Tejada had two hits and scored twice for the Orioles.

In Boston, Kevin Millar homered, had three hits and drove in four runs to lead the Red Sox to a 9-6 win over the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox took two of three games from their bitter rivals in the series, but still trail New York by 7 1/2 games in the AL East.

Johnny Damon homered, had three hits and three RBI for Boston, while Mark Bellhorn also homered and scored three times.

Derek Lowe (9-9) allowed four runs - two earned - on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking three for the win. Keith Foulke got the last five outs for his 16th save.

Jose Contreras (8-4) gave up eight runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings and took the loss.

Hideki Matsui hit a grand slam home run for New York.

In other games, David Bush picked up his first major league win and Carlos Delgado became the first Blue Jay to reach 1,000 career RBI as Toronto beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5-3.

Bush (1-1) allowed three runs - one earned - on eight hits in 7 1/3 innings. Kerry Ligtenberg got five outs for his third save and Delgado hit a three-run homer to reach the milestone.

Tampa Bay has now lost five straight, including all three in this series, and 15 of 20.

In the National League, Mike Hampton threw six strong innings and J.D. Drew homered as the Atlanta Braves continued their run of good form with a 4-3 win over the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

The Braves' third straight win and 12th in their last 16 games kept them in first place in the NL east ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies.

After a slow start to the season the Braves have moved back into contention as they look to add to their string of 13 straight division titles.

Rookies David Wright and Kaz Matsui both made key fielding errors for the Mets that allowed the Braves to score three unearned runs.

Hampton (6-8) allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Three relievers finished up, including John Smoltz, who got the last four outs for his 20th save.

Drew's homer, his 24th of the season, off loser Steve Trachsel (9-7) in the seventh inning, extended his hitting streak to 21 games.

In other games, Livan Hernandez pitched no-hit ball for six innings and tossed 8 1/3 strong innings to lead the Montreal Expos to a 6-4 win over the Florida Marlins.

Hernandez (7-10) retired the first 17 batters he faced and didn't allow a hit until Mike Lowell hit a double to lead off the seventh.

He wound up allowing four runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks before Luis Ayala got the final two outs for his first save.

Tony Batista hit a three-run homer to help Montreal win its fourth straight.

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