Anibal Sanchez pitches 8 innings and drives in 2 runs as Florida stops Arizona’s 7-game winning streak, 5 – 2. Leo Nunez picks up his 19th save in 20 chances in relief of Sanchez.

The Astros pound out 6 runs on 5 hits in the 9th inning to keep Jordan Lyles from losing his major league debut against the Cubs. Trailing 3 – 1 against hard-throwing Carlos Marmol at Wrigley Field, Houston starts the inning with a single by Brett Wallace; Chris Johnson, Matt Downs and Michael Bourn also get hits, and after a walk, Hunter Pence puts the game out of reach with a three-run homer. Lyles, the youngest player in the majors, keeps the Cubs scoreless through 7 before coughing up a pair of runs – one of them unearned – to start the 8th. Reliever Fernando Rodriguez gets credit for his first career win.

Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies throws his second career shutout – his first was his no-hitter on April 17th – in beating San Francisco, 4 – 0. He is the first pitcher to reach 10 wins in the majors this year, defeating defending Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.

Alex Rodriguez may not be his usual superhuman self this season, but it’s still a bad idea to issue an intentional walk to face him with the bases loaded. The Indians find this out the hard way, as A-Rod connects for a grand slam in the 7th inning, turning a 2 – 1 Yankees lead into an 11 – 2 rout. The slam is the 20th of his career, placing him third on the all-time list, behind Lou Gehrig (23) and Manny Ramirez (21).

San Diego score their most runs at home since moving to PETCO Park in 2004, routing New York, 18 – 6. The last two runs are scored against Oliver Perez, who has pitched so poorly that manager Jerry Manuel has relegated him to the deepest reaches of the bullpen. Jerry Hairston hits a grand slam for the Padres, who remain two games ahead in the NL West.

The Tigers designate pitcher Dontrelle Willis for assignment. He seemed to have turned a corner in his comeback bid when he made the Tigers’ starting rotation out of spring training, but has only won one game all season. This may not yet be the end of the line for the gregarious lefthander, though, as both the Diamondbacks and Marlins have shown interest in acquiring his services. On June 1st, Willis will be traded to Arizona for P Billy Buckner.

Carlos Pena becomes the first player to hit a ball into the “A” ring, the highest catwalk at Tropicana Field. The Rays first baseman’s 190-foot pop fly, considered in play, is caught off the rebound by Jose Mijares, but the Twins’ left-hander has to roll onto his stomach to hold onto the ball for the out.

The Pirates top the Cards, 14 – 4, thanks to a grand slam by Luis Rivas and fine pitching from Paul Maholm. It is Tony LaRussa’s 2,000th game as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, passing Red Schoendienst for first in franchise history.

For the first time in 100 years, the Chicago Cubs have the best record in Major League Baseball entering June. The Cubs are 36-21.