Machado hits 2 homers in huge win over Royals: AL roundup
The Associated Press
Posted: Aug 10, 2012 10:13 PM ET
Last Updated: Aug 10, 2012 11:42 PM ET
BALTIMORE — Manny Machado thrust himself into the Orioles' record book in his second major league game, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs to carry Baltimore past the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Friday night.
After going 2 for 4 in his debut on Thursday, Machado hit a solo shot in the fifth inning and a three-run drive in the sixth. Both homers came off Luke Hochevar (7-10) and landed in the left-field seats.
At 20 years and 35 days old, Machado is the youngest Oriole ever to have a multihomer game. Boog Powell was 20 years and 258 days old when he homered twice against Minnesota in May 1962.
Machado also became the 12th-youngest major leaguer since 1918 to hit at least two home runs in a game.
Boston 3, Cleveland 2
CLEVELAND — Clay Buchholz pitched a two-hitter, Cody Ross hit a two-run homer, and the Boston Red Sox broke a three-game losing streak by beating the Cleveland Indians 3-2 on Friday night.
Buchholz (10-3) gave up one earned run in his second complete game of the season and fifth of his career. The right-hander improved to 8-2 in 17 starts following a loss the last two years.
Ross broke a 1-1 tie with a 420-foot shot over the wall in center field off Chris Seddon (0-1) in the sixth inning.
Asdrubal Cabrera had both Cleveland hits, including his 13th homer, but the Indians had their two-game winning streak broken and lost for the 12th time in 14 games.
Boston third baseman Will Middlebrooks left in the ninth after being hit in the right wrist with a pitch from Esmil Rogers.
Tampa Bay 12, Minnesota 6
MINNEAPOLIS — Matt Joyce hit a two-run homer and a two-run double, Jose Molina drove in three runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 12-6 on Friday night to keep pace in the crowded American League wild card race with their ninth win in their last 12 games.
Jeremy Hellickson (7-7) won for the third time in his last four starts despite lasting only five innings. He had an 8-1 lead after a six-run second by the Rays, who batted around twice and won their fourth straight. This is their longest streak since June 7-10. They won six in a row two separate times earlier in the season.
The Twins had won nine of their previous 13 games.
Detroit 6, Texas 2
TEXAS — Austin Jackson hit an inside-the-park home run and a triple and the Detroit Tigers beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 6-2 on Friday night.
Jackson got his first career inside-the-park homer in the seventh inning after right fielder Nelson Cruz made a diving attempt to catch the ball, which bounced in front of him and then over his glove and to the wall. Jackson never slowed and scored easily.
Prince Fielder hit his 20th homer, a three-run shot in the sixth that put the Tigers up 4-2 and chased Scott Feldman (6-7).
Max Scherzer (11-6) struck out eight in six innings for his 10th win in his last 13 decisions since May 10.
Jackson led off the fourth with a triple to right-centre. He scored on Miguel Cabrera's single, his 96th RBI that tied him again with Josh Hamilton of the Rangers for most in the majors.
Chicago 4, Oakland 3
CHICAGO — Jordan Danks hit his first major league homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Chicago White Sox overcame a three-run deficit to beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Friday night.
With two outs in the ninth, Danks sent the first pitch he saw from Pat Neshek (1-1) deep into the right-field seats for a solo shot.
Brett Myers (1-1) pitched a scoreless inning to help the AL Central leaders win for the 11th time in 16 games. Dayan Viciedo tied it at 3 with a solo homer in the seventh, snapping a 5-for-43 slump.
A's starter Brandon McCarthy came off the disabled list to make his first start since June 19. He had been sidelined with a strained shoulder.
