New Red Sox lineup puts up big numbers against O's

[August 03, 2009]  BALTIMORE (AP) -- A transplanted veteran and a talented rookie have added muscle to an already potent Boston Red Sox lineup.

When the Red Sox obtained Victor Martinez in a trade with Cleveland on Friday, they also summoned outfielder Josh Reddick from Double-A Portland. Although the latter move was clearly overshadowed by the acquisition of the hard-hitting Martinez, it seems as if the kid also has some power.

Martinez had a career-high tying five hits and four RBIs, Reddick hit his first major league homer, and Boston reached season highs in runs and hits Sunday in a 18-10 rout of the Baltimore Orioles.

Eight different players had multiple hits for the Red Sox, although no one was as productive as Martinez, who singled in a run in the second inning, got two hits in a seven-run fourth, singled in the sixth and added an RBI double in the eighth.

"Boy, he swung the bat great. Immediate impact," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "I think you're seeing one of the better hitters in the league with some renewed excitement."

Martinez went from the Indians, who were buried in fourth place, to a Red Sox team that leads the AL wild-card race and trails the first-place New York Yankees by only a half-game in the East.

"I'm honored to be on this side now," said Martinez, who now finds himself in the middle of a pennant race. "It's not the same when you're playing and you fall way back in the standings. Just coming over here to a team that is competing every year..."

Martinez joined the team Saturday and was immediately inserted in the No. 3 spot behind Dustin Pedroia and ahead of Kevin Youkilis. After getting an RBI in his debut, Martinez went wild Sunday.

"One hitter can make a lot of difference." Francona said. "We like our hitters, but this will certainly help our lineup."

The same can be said of Reddick, who got two doubles in his first start Saturday and added a solo homer Sunday.

"I think you can see why guys in the organization have kind of raved about what he can do," Francona said. "He's got some thunder in his bat."

Reddick doesn't seem to realize that making the jump from the minor leagues to the Red Sox is sort of a big deal.

"I'm just trying to leave a really good impression, trying not to do too much and overdo things," he said. "I was satisfied where I was at in Portland, just trying to do my job there."

It was the fourth straight victory for the Red Sox, whose 23 hits included three apiece from Youkilis, Mike Lowell and Dustin Pedroia. Boston led 7-0 in the third inning and 14-6 in the fourth before coasting to the finish.

"The amount of runs and hits they got today speaks for itself in what the problem was," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "To say we didn't pitch well would be an understatement."

The Red Sox outscored Baltimore 28-15 in completing their first three-game sweep on the road since June 2-4 in Detroit. Youkilis went 10 for 12 with three walks in the series and reached base 13 straight times (10 hits, three walks) before striking out in the eighth.

Adam Jones and Ty Wigginton homered for the Orioles, now 2-11 against the Red Sox this season.

Boston starter Clay Buchholz gave up seven runs, nine hits and four walks in four-plus innings. He was replaced by Manny Delcarmen (4-2), who allowed two runs in 1 2-3 innings.

Baltimore rookie Jason Berken (1-9) was tagged for six runs and seven hits in 1 1-3 innings. Nine of the 13 batters he faced reached base.

Yankees 8, White Sox 5

In Chicago, Melky Cabrera became the first Yankees player in 14 years to hit for the cycle.

Cabrera hit a three-run homer in the second, doubled in the fourth and chased Mark Buehrle (11-5) with an RBI single in the fifth. He then tripled to right leading off the ninth against Scott Linebrink, drawing a loud roar from a crowd that had showered Buehrle with cheers before his first start at home since his perfect game.

CC Sabathia (11-7) gave up five runs and 10 hits in seven innings for the Yankees. Mariano Rivera got four outs for his 30th save in 31 chances. Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome hit back-to-back homers in the third for Chicago.

Angels 13, Twins 4

In Minneapolis, Kendry Morales homered twice and had a career-high six RBIs, helping the Angels sweep the three-game series.

Jered Weaver (11-3) struck out a career-high 11 in 6 1-3 innings for Los Angeles (63-40), which has the best record in the American League and has won 13 of their last 15 games.

Justin Morneau hit his 28th homer and newly acquired Orlando Cabrera also went deep for Minnesota.

Royals 4, Rays 1

In St. Petersburg, Fla., John Buck singled off James Shields (6-8) to end his bid for a no-hitter in the eighth inning and Mitch Maier drove in three runs for Kansas City.

Brian Bannister (7-7) gave up five hits and struck out seven in seven scoreless innings for the Royals, who won for the first time in nine games against Tampa Bay this season. Joakim Soria, who allowed a homer to Ben Zobrist in the ninth, pitched the final two innings for his 18th save.

Indians 11, Tigers 1

In Cleveland, Carl Pavano tossed eight sharp innings to lead the Indians to the victory.

Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore each hit a two-run homer off Armando Galarraga (5-10) as Cleveland totaled 13 hits and won for the seventh time in 10 games.

Pavano (9-8) allowed one run and six hits to improve to 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA against the Tigers this season. The 33-year-old right-hander struck out four and walked one in his first win since a 5-4 victory at Detroit on July 11.

Blue Jays 7, Athletics 2

In Oakland, Calif., Aaron Hill hit a two-run homer and Toronto roughed up Vin Mazzaro.

The Blue Jays scored five runs off Mazzaro before making an out. Adam Lind doubled after Hill's 26th homer, and Lyle Overbay and Vernon Wells each walked to load the bases. Alex Rios then hit a three-run double.

Ricky Romero (10-4) gave up two runs in seven innings for Toronto, joining Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann as the only rookies with double-digit victories.

Rangers 4, Mariners 2

In Arlington, Texas, Jarrod Saltalamacchia broke a tie with a two-run homer in the seventh, Scott Feldman bounced back from his worst start of the season with seven strong innings.

With the score tied, Nelson Cruz led off the seventh with a single. One out later, Saltalamacchia belted White's first pitch off the foul pole in right field for his ninth homer of the season.

Feldman (10-4) gave up two runs and five hits with four strikeouts and two walks, extending his career-best win total and assuming the team lead in victories as the Rangers won for the 11th time in 14 games.

[Associated Press; By DAVID GINSBURG]

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