The Blue Jays complete a four-game sweep of the Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a 4 – 1 win, powered by Jose Bautista’s two-run homer. The Royals have now lost 11 straight, and all 10 of their home dates so far this season. It is the first time the Jays sweep a four-game series on the road since a visit to Yankee Stadium back in 2003.

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The Blue Jays complete a four-game sweep of the Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a 4 – 1 win, powered by Jose Bautista’s two-run homer. The Royals have now lost 11 straight, and all 10 of their home dates so far this season. It is the first time the Jays sweep a four-game series on the road since a visit to Yankee Stadium back in 2003.

The homer-happy Yankees are at it again, connecting five times in a 15 – 3 win over the Orioles. Russell Martin goes deep twice and is joined by Jorge Posada, Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez, who hits a grand slam. It is the 22nd slam of A-Rod’s career, moving him past the provisionally retired Manny Ramirez and into second place on the all-time list, one behind Lou Gehrig. CC Sabathia picks up his first win of the year, while Brad Bergesen is the loser.

ByBaseball

The homer-happy Yankees are at it again, connecting five times in a 15 – 3 win over the Orioles. Russell Martin goes deep twice and is joined by Jorge Posada, Brett Gardner and Alex Rodriguez, who hits a grand slam. It is the 22nd slam of A-Rod’s career, moving him past the provisionally retired Manny Ramirez and into second place on the all-time list, one behind Lou Gehrig. CC Sabathia picks up his first win of the year, while Brad Bergesen is the loser.

Daisuke Matsuzaka holds the Angels to an infield hit over eight innings while striking out nine as the Red Sox win, 5 – 0, their fourth straight win after an awful start to the season.

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Daisuke Matsuzaka holds the Angels to an infield hit over eight innings while striking out nine as the Red Sox win, 5 – 0, their fourth straight win after an awful start to the season.

The Rays’ 10-2 victory over Chicago concludes a 9-1 road trip, making it the team’s winningest road trip in the 13-year history of the franchise. Tampa’s success on the road translates into a 12-4 record overall, their best start ever.

ByTom

The Rays’ 10-2 victory over Chicago concludes a 9-1 road trip, making it the team’s winningest road trip in the 13-year history of the franchise. Tampa’s success on the road translates into a 12-4 record overall, their best start ever.

The Mets beat the Braves, 5 – 2, as Ike Davis hits his first major league home run. There is an unusual play in the 7th inning: with the Mets leading 3 – 2 with two runners on base, Jose Reyes hits a high pop-up and the umpires invoke the infield fly rule. But 3B Chipper Jones crosses in front of SS Omar Infante in the windy conditions, and the ball glances off his glove and falls to the ground. C Brian McCann picks up the ball, and not realizing that Reyes is out automatically, goes after him. He relays the ball to 1B Eric Hinske, who tags both Reyes and the bag to no avail. While the Braves are busy flogging a dead horse, Angel Pagan races around the diamond for the Mets’ fourth run. Nippon Pro Baseball veteran Hisanori Takahashi replaces starter John Maine, who has to leave in the 4th inning with pain in his left elbow; he strikes out seven in three innings to pick up his first major league win.

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The Mets beat the Braves, 5 – 2, as Ike Davis hits his first major league home run. There is an unusual play in the 7th inning: with the Mets leading 3 – 2 with two runners on base, Jose Reyes hits a high pop-up and the umpires invoke the infield fly rule. But 3B Chipper Jones crosses in front of SS Omar Infante in the windy conditions, and the ball glances off his glove and falls to the ground. C Brian McCann picks up the ball, and not realizing that Reyes is out automatically, goes after him. He relays the ball to 1B Eric Hinske, who tags both Reyes and the bag to no avail. While the Braves are busy flogging a dead horse, Angel Pagan races around the diamond for the Mets’ fourth run. Nippon Pro Baseball veteran Hisanori Takahashi replaces starter John Maine, who has to leave in the 4th inning with pain in his left elbow; he strikes out seven in three innings to pick up his first major league win.

There are other unusual plays in games today. In Kansas City, the Royals’ David DeJesus hits a long drive that bounces off the fence and back onto the field. Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer, convinced the ball went into the stands, does not chase it as DeJesus races around the bases for an inside-the-park homer; the Twins still win, 8 – 3. And at Chase Field, the Phillies’ Jayson Werth hits a high fly ball to right field in the 4th inning; Diamondbacks RF Chris Young is camped under it, but lets the ball drop to the ground and picks it up immediately. While Young is vainly trying to convince umpire Dale Scott that he did indeed make the catch, Werth does not stop running and makes it all the way home on a rare four-base error. In spite of the embarrassment, Arizona wins, 7 – 4.

ByBaseball

There are other unusual plays in games today. In Kansas City, the Royals’ David DeJesus hits a long drive that bounces off the fence and back onto the field. Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer, convinced the ball went into the stands, does not chase it as DeJesus races around the bases for an inside-the-park homer; the Twins still win, 8 – 3. And at Chase Field, the Phillies’ Jayson Werth hits a high fly ball to right field in the 4th inning; Diamondbacks RF Chris Young is camped under it, but lets the ball drop to the ground and picks it up immediately. While Young is vainly trying to convince umpire Dale Scott that he did indeed make the catch, Werth does not stop running and makes it all the way home on a rare four-base error. In spite of the embarrassment, Arizona wins, 7 – 4.

All-Star Ben Zobrist agrees to a three-year contract extension with the Rays that guarantees him $18 million for 2010-13. The team’s MVP last season, obtained in 2006 from Houston in the Aubrey Huff trade, had agreed to a one-year deal in March worth $438,100.

ByTom

All-Star Ben Zobrist agrees to a three-year contract extension with the Rays that guarantees him $18 million for 2010-13. The team’s MVP last season, obtained in 2006 from Houston in the Aubrey Huff trade, had agreed to a one-year deal in March worth $438,100.

In Philadelphia, Dave Bush holds the Phillies hitless for 7 1/3 innings in a 6 – 1 Milwaukee win. The no-hit bid ends when pinch hitter Matt Stairs drives a pitch off the foul pole for a home run. Phillies starter Cole Hamels is hit in the shoulder by a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder in the 4th inning and has to leave the game.

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In Philadelphia, Dave Bush holds the Phillies hitless for 7 1/3 innings in a 6 – 1 Milwaukee win. The no-hit bid ends when pinch hitter Matt Stairs drives a pitch off the foul pole for a home run. Phillies starter Cole Hamels is hit in the shoulder by a line drive off the bat of Prince Fielder in the 4th inning and has to leave the game.

St. Louis beats the Mets, 12 – 8, to complete a three-game sweep at home. Albert Pujols homers twice and Rick Ankiel homers and doubles twice for the Cardinals.

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St. Louis beats the Mets, 12 – 8, to complete a three-game sweep at home. Albert Pujols homers twice and Rick Ankiel homers and doubles twice for the Cardinals.

The Chicago Cubs become the second franchise in major league history to reach 10,000 wins. They top the Rockies, 7 – 6, in a 10-inning affair to join the Giants with 10,000. They trail, 5 – 4, entering the 9th but Derrek Leeconnects safely against Rockies closer Manuel Corpas and Aramis Ramirez homers to make it 6 – 5. Chicago closer Kerry Wood fails to hang on to the win; he retires two batters but Scott Podsednik singles and Ryan Spilborghs triples to tie it. In the 10th, Kip Wells allows a single to Geovany Soto; Ryan Theriot later drives in the run with a single for a 7 – 6 edge. This time, it holds up, as Carlos Marmol notches the save; Wood is credited with the win and Wells suffers the loss.

ByBaseball

The Chicago Cubs become the second franchise in major league history to reach 10,000 wins. They top the Rockies, 7 – 6, in a 10-inning affair to join the Giants with 10,000. They trail, 5 – 4, entering the 9th but Derrek Leeconnects safely against Rockies closer Manuel Corpas and Aramis Ramirez homers to make it 6 – 5. Chicago closer Kerry Wood fails to hang on to the win; he retires two batters but Scott Podsednik singles and Ryan Spilborghs triples to tie it. In the 10th, Kip Wells allows a single to Geovany Soto; Ryan Theriot later drives in the run with a single for a 7 – 6 edge. This time, it holds up, as Carlos Marmol notches the save; Wood is credited with the win and Wells suffers the loss.