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Boston downs Detroit 6-3

Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 12:07 AM

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From Wire Reports

DETROIT -- Mike Lowell hit one of Boston's three homers for his first RBI of the season as the Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-3 last night behind a wild Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz also connected for Boston, which won its fourth straight game and sent the Tigers to their fourth consecutive defeat.

Matsuzaka (5-0) won despite walking a career-worst eight batters in five innings, which also tied the major-league high for walks this season. But he didn't allow a hit until Curtis Granderson's two-out RBI single in the fourth. Boston's Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 10 chances.

AROUND THE MAJORS

Toronto prevails in pitching duel

TORONTO -- Dustin McGowan outpitched Javier Vazquez in an entertaining duel, and Matt Stairs homered to help the Toronto Blue Jays edge the slumping Chicago White Sox 1-0.

Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning but got Pablo Ozuna to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game, earning his fifth save.

McGowan (2-2) gave up four hits in 71/3 innings. He walked none and struck out six. Stairs hit a leadoff homer in the seventh off Vazquez (3-3), who struck out nine while throwing 120 pitches in 72/3 innings. In other games:

REDS 5, CUBS 3: Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer to right field, and rookie Johnny Cueto got back to hitting the corners with his 95 mph fastball, helping Cincinnati end a five-game skid.

ANGELS 4, ROYALS 0: Ervin Santana extended his outstanding start by pitching a four-hit shutout, and Garret Anderson and Brandon Wood hit consecutive homers in a four-run ninth inning to lead visiting Los Angeles past Kansas City.

NOTABLE

Braves acquire Norton from Seattle

ATLANTA -- The Braves acquired first baseman-outfielder Greg Norton from the Seattle Mariners yesterday, giving their bench a boost after placing infielder Martin Prado on the 15-day disabled list.

The Mariners, who designated Norton for assignment last week, will receive a player to be named or cash considerations from the Braves.

The 35-year-old Norton was 7 for 16 (.435) in six games for Seattle this season. He also played seven games for Triple-A Tacoma, hitting .409.

Norton played with Tampa Bay in 2006 and'07 and hit .243 in 202 at-bats last season. He has a .253 career batting average with 82 home runs and 300 RBI.

Prado, who was injured Sunday while making a fill-in start at shortstop for Yunel Escobar, will not need surgery but is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Tigers cut Jones, shift Sheffield

DETROIT -- Jacque Jones was cut yesterday by the Detroit Tigers, who had promised a lineup shakeup.

Detroit designated Jones for assignment and has 10 days to trade the outfielder, put him on unconditional release waivers or send him outright to the minors.

The Tigers' regular designated hitter, Gary Sheffield, took over for Jones in left field and was inserted into the sixth spot last night; Sheffield had been hitting third.

Jones hit just .165 with a homer and five RBIs in 24 games for the Tigers, who acquired him during a busy offseason from the Chicago Cubs. He is in the final season of the three-year deal he signed with the Cubs for $16 million.

Jones -- in his 10th season -- is a .278 hitter with 165 homers and 628 RBIs.

Davis feels strong after cancer surgery

PHOENIX -- Only 26 days after surgery for thyroid cancer, Arizona left-hander Doug Davis felt strong during a 65-pitch simulated game yesterday in 90-degree heat.

Davis, who is taking thyroid medication, will have a CT scan Friday to determine whether any cancerous cells remain.

"I could have gone out there for a couple more innings at least," said Davis, who had his thyroid and surrounding tissue removed April 10. "I really felt like I was in the shape I need to be in to compete."

The 32-year-old Davis is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Tucson on Saturday or Sunday and will make one more start in the minors before rejoining the Diamondbacks' rotation, probably during a May 20-22 series at Florida. Davis went 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in two starts before his operation.

Bale apologizes for punching door

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Appearing embarrassed and uncomfortable, Kansas City pitcher John Bale apologized yesterday for punching a hotel door Friday and breaking his pitching hand. He could be out two months.

"I'd like to apologize first of all to the Royals organization, my teammates, my coaching staff, for my action. It was uncalled for," Bale said. "It was, you know, a moment of frustration and I wish I could do anything I could to take it back. But I can't."

One reason for his anger may have been news that rookie Luke Hochevar was going to replace him in the starting rotation. In three starts, Bale is 0-3 with a 7.63 ERA.

Guillen outburst targets Chisox fans

TORONTO -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen unleashed a tirade before Sunday's game against Toronto in which he accused Chicago fans of turning on the struggling team.

During his outburst, punctuated with a healthy dose of vulgarities, Guillen bemoaned the fact that the Cubs are considered the best team in Chicago even though they haven't won a World Series since 1908. He said he fears his team will never get respect "no matter how many World Series we win." Elsewhere:

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Adam Loewen, who is on the disabled list with a sore left elbow, will report to the club's minor-league complex in Sarasota, Fla., and start a throwing program in the next couple of days. Also, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said that struggling starter Steve Trachsel, who hasn't completed four innings in three of his past four outings, will start Friday in Kansas City.

Injured Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins went 4 for 4 with two RBIs in an extended spring training game. The reigning National League MVP, who is recovering from a sprained ankle, is on the 15-day disabled list for the first time in his eight-year career.

Colorado Rockies right-hander Kip Wells will have surgery today for a blood clot in his right hand. Wells, 31, had a blocked artery in his right arm in 2006, which had to be replaced by a vein taken from his leg.

B.J. Ryan has been cleared to pitch in consecutive games for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has four saves in seven scoreless appearances since returning April 13 from Tommy John surgery, striking out 10, walking three and allowing six hits.

Right-handed reliever David Weathers was activated off the 15-day disabled list, giving the Cincinnati Reds their top setup man for the start of a series against the Chicago Cubs. The Reds optioned left-handed reliever Bill Bray to Triple-A Louisville to open a roster spot.

The Cleveland Indians plan to cut outfielder Jason Michaels, one of several veterans with batting averages hovering around .200. The Indians will recall outfielder Ben Francisco from Triple-A Buffalo.

The Boston Red Sox placed outfielder Brandon Moss on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Craig Hansen from Triple-A Pawtucket. Moss had an appendectomy Saturday in Boston. SHORT HOPS

Angels pitcher Ervin Santana joined teammate Joe Saunders (Virginia Tech) at 6-0, making them just the eighth pair of teammates to start a season 6-0 since 1920.

Toronto's win over the White Sox gave the Blue Jays their first four-game sweep since May 2003 against the New York Yankees.