Jeter, Soriano spark Yanks over Rays

By HOWIE RUMBERG

AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter was feeling nostalgic.

He homered for a big hit. He took part in Hideki Matsui’s retirement ceremony. Then he watched Alfonso Soriano running up the first base line with his arms held out wide, flashing that electric grin.

“A lot of great memories here with Sori,” he said, “and it was almost like old times.”

The newly reacquainted duo created another memory Sunday.

Jeter connected on the first pitch he saw to give the Yankees a jolt in his return from the disabled list and Soriano made the captain a winner with a game-ending single that lifted New York over the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Playing with Jeter for the first time since being re-acquired by New York from the Cubs on Friday, Soriano homered among his first four hits with the Yankees and drove in three runs.

“I remember from 2001 to 2003, nothing changed,” Soriano said. “We get old but, more important, he loves the game, I love the game.”

The 37-year-old Soriano and the 39-year-old Jeter were teammate from 1999 until Soriano was traded to Texas for Alex Rodriguez after the 2003 season, but they hadn’t played together this season because Jeter was still out with a strained quadriceps. The Yankees lost Soriano’s first two games and he was 0 for 8.

But Jeter was activated from the DL for the second time this month and homered against Matt Moore in the first, sending a drive to right-center that ended the Yankees’ nine-game homerless drought. He went 2 for 4 and scored twice.

“He’s a movie, that’s what he is,” manager Joe Girardi said.

Soriano gave it a happy ending.

Brett Gardner drew a leadoff walk from Jake McGee (2-3) in the ninth. McGee then switched belts on his uniform before facing Jeter, threw a wild pitch and received a visit from manager Joe Maddon.

The decision: walk Jeter intentionally.

“I don’t want to name the manufacturer right now, don’t want to cause any kind of disgrace or concern there, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” Maddon said of McGee’s belt, which broke at a crucial moment in the game.

After Robinson Cano struck out, Soriano hit a sharp bouncer up the middle for the win. He was mobbed by his teammates and doused with a liquid during a postgame interview.

Mariano Rivera (2-2), the Yankees’ fourth reliever, got three groundball outs in the ninth.

Rookie Wil Myers homered twice and drove in four runs against beleaguered Yankees starter Phil Hughes and Kelly Johnson had an RBI double, but the AL East leaders lost for only the fourth time in 25 games.

Ichiro Suzuki had four hits and drove in a run on fellow Japanese star Matsui’s bobblehead day. Matsui signed his retirement papers in an on-field ceremony before the game in front of the third sellout at Yankee Stadium this season, with Jeter standing alongside him.

“This is Matsui’s day,” Jeter said, “so everyone needs to focus on him.”

Jeter’s homer was the Yankees’ first long ball by a right-hander since June 25, and his presence appeared to give the team an immediate lift.

“Just wave the magic wand,” Andy Pettitte said. “It was cool.”

After he homered and gave a quick wave of his cap from the dugout steps, Cano singled and Soriano followed with his first hit with New York in nine at-bats. Vernon Wells had a sacrifice fly and Suzuki had RBI single to make it 3-0.

Jeter started at shortstop for the first time this year. He was the designated hitter on July 11 when he returned from rehabbing the ankle he first broke during the opener of the AL championship series in October. He was sent right back to the disabled list when he strained his right quad running out a grounder. The Yankees won just four of 12 during his most recent absence.

“He’s the face of the organization,” Soriano said. “When he’s on the field we can feel the energy.”

Jeter’s take: “It was fun — I’m tired. I worked hard to try to get back on the field.”

Johnson, who drove in the run in Tampa Bay’s 1-0 win Saturday, pulled Tampa within two on a double in the second and Tampa took the lead in the third.

Evan Longoria and James Loney singled with one out, then Myers laced a shot to deep left for a 4-3 edge.

But in the bottom half, Jeter opened the inning by lining a single that glanced off Johnson’s glove behind second base. Girardi was concerned Jeter would overdo it on the bases, but the 13-time All-Star only needed another easy jog to score his second run.

Soriano sent him into a trot, eking a homer over the right-field wall just out of the reach of a leaping Myers.

“If I had one more step, I feel like I could catch that ball,” Myers said.

Myers put another ball of his own out of everyone’s reach in the fifth, an opposite-field shot to right for the first multihomer game of his career.

Plagued by home runs throughout his career, Hughes has allowed 20 this season. Often mentioned in trade rumors, Hughes yielded five runs and nine hits in four-plus innings and left to a vociferous Bronx cheer.

He was lifted after walking Matt Joyce in the fifth, and the New York bullpen shut down the Rays the rest of the way. Preston Claiborne, Boone Logan, David Robertson and Rivera combined on five innings of one-hit ball.

Moore’s six-start winning streak ended when he was lifted after five innings with the score tied at 5. Moore allowed five runs and eight hits.

RED SOX 5, ORIOLES 0

BALTIMORE (AP) — Jon Lester allowed four hits over seven innings, David Ortiz went 4 for 4 with his 20th home run and Boston earned its first series win over Baltimore in two years.

Mike Napoli had two doubles and an RBI for the Red Sox, who took two of three in the duel between AL East foes. Boston had lost six straight series to Baltimore since a four-game sweep in July 2011.

All four hits against Lester (10-6) were singles. He struck out eight, walked two and did not allow a runner past second base. The right-hander improved his lifetime record against the Orioles to 15-2, although he lost his previous two decisions against them.

On Saturday night, Ortiz shattered the casing of two dugout phones after being ejected from the game. On Sunday, he put his bat to better use.

Ortiz hit a two-run shot off Jason Hammel (7-8) in the third inning to put Boston up 3-0. Big Papi has 12 consecutive 20-homer seasons, the last 11 with Boston. Only Ted Williams, with 16, had more as a member of the Red Sox.

INDIANS 6, RANGERS 0

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ubaldo Jimenez pitched eight scoreless innings and Cleveland shut out Texas for the second straight game.

Jason Kipnis’ two-out single in the fifth broke a scoreless tie. Yan Gomes’ RBI single and Michael Bourn’s two-run double added three runs in the sixth as the Indians, who have won four straight, completed their first three-game sweep at home over Texas since Aug. 12-14, 1980.

Jimenez (8-5) allowed two hits and matched his longest outing of the season. Vinnie Pestano pitched the ninth as the Indians recorded their major league-leading 14th shutout.

The Rangers are 2-8 since the All-Star break.

Kipnis’ single came off Alexi Ogando (4-3), who allowed one run in 4 2-3 innings.

BLUE JAYS 2, ASTROS 1

TORONTO (AP) — Colby Rasmus drove in Emilio Bonifacio with a game-winning single in the ninth inning to carry Toronto past Houston.

Rajai Davis stole a career-high four bases as the Blue Jays won for the third time in four games against Houston, owners of the worst record in the majors.

Bonifacio doubled to begin the ninth against Jose Cisnero (2-2), and Wesley Wright came on to strike out pinch-hitter Adam Lind, who was batting in place of the ejected Jose Bautista.

Edwin Encarnacion was intentionally walked to bring up Rasmus, who bounced a single over the mound and up the middle as Bonifacio scored standing up.

Casey Janssen (3-0) worked one scoreless inning for the Blue Jays, who rebounded after being swept in consecutive series against Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

ROYALS 4, WHITE SOX 2

CHICAGO (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning and Kansas City beat Chicago for its sixth straight victory.

With no outs, Jarrod Dyson on third, and the White Sox infield in, Gordon drove a 2-2 pitch from Donnie Veal (1-1) over the wall in center for his first homer since July 7 and No. 10 on the year.

Aaron Crow (7-3) tossed a scoreless inning to get the win and Greg Holland finished for his 27th save in 29 chances. Holland has converted each of his past 20 opportunities.

MARINERS 6, TWINS 4

SEATTLE (AP) — Nick Franklin homered twice, including a three-run shot, and Seattle held off Minnesota for the victory.

Franklin and Michael Saunders both went deep during a pivotal four-run fourth inning. With the Mariners down 2-1, Saunders tied it with his seventh homer to open the inning, deep into the right-field second deck.

After Henry Blanco reached on a fielder’s choice and Brad Miller walked, Franklin connected on a 1-1 pitch from Kyle Gibson (2-3) to put the Mariners ahead 5-2.

Franklin added his 10th homer to right field with one out in the seventh. His 10 home runs and 32 RBIs are the most among American League rookies.

Erasmo Ramirez (2-0) went six innings and allowed four runs on seven hits to pick up the win. He struck out six and walked two.

ATHLETICS 10, ANGELS 6

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes drove in four runs on his most productive day since winning the Home Run Derby, and Oakland rallied from five runs down to beat Los Angeles.

Cespedes snapped an 0-for-13 funk with a two-run double in the third inning, added an RBI single in the fifth and then doubled in Josh Donaldson as part of a five-run sixth.

Eric Sogard added three hits and two RBIs, and Brandon Moss also drove in a pair of runs for Oakland. The A’s (62-43) moved a season-high 19 games over .500 and extended their lead to six games over Texas in the AL West.

Erick Aybar doubled and tripled for the Angels, who placed Albert Pujols on the disabled list before the game with a tear in his left foot that could end his season.

INTERLEAGUE

TIGERS 12, PHILLIES 4

DETROIT (AP) — Jhonny Peralta’s grand slam capped an eight-run sixth inning and Detroit overcame Miguel Cabrera’s ejection to beat collapsing Philadelphia.

Cabrera was tossed while batting with the bases loaded in the third and manager Jim Leyland was ejected, too. Detroit still got plenty of additional chances against a Philadelphia team that stumbled to its eighth straight loss.

In the sixth, the Tigers scored eight runs on only two hits. The Phillies made three errors and walked three batters in the inning.

Rick Porcello (8-6) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings to win his fourth straight start.

Reliever Jake Diekman (0-1) took the loss.

The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Travis Wood pitched a four-hitter over seven innings and had a home run among his two hits in helping the Chicago Cubs complete a three-game sweep in San Francisco for the first time in 20 years, beating the Giants 2-1 Sunday.

Welington Castillo also homered for the Cubs, who won their third straight and fifth of seven.

Pablo Sandoval drove in a run for the Giants, who lost their fourth straight and seventh of eight.

Tim Lincecum (5-11) had two hits in addition to pitching seven innings. He gave up two runs and four hits. He walked two and struck out a season-high 10.

Wood (7-7) allowed an unearned run while walking four and striking out seven. He was 1-4 over his previous nine games and has been involved in 10 one-run decisions.

Pedro Strop threw a scoreless eighth, his 12th consecutive scoreless outing (10 2-3 innings) since joining the Cubs on July 2.

Kevin Gregg recorded the final three outs for his 22nd save in 25 chances, and his third straight of the series.

MARLINS 3, PIRATES 2

MIAMI (AP) — Jose Fernandez had a team rookie record 13 strikeouts in a pitching duel with Gerrit Cole, leading Miami past Pittsburgh.

Fernandez (7-5) allowed five hits and two runs in eight innings. The 20-year-old All-Star right-hander walked none and threw 97 pitches, 74 for strikes.

Cole (5-4) was nearly as good. The rookie allowed three runs and struck out eight in seven innings, but Giancarlo Stanton put the Marlins ahead to stay in the sixth with his 13th home run.

Stanton also doubled, walked and scored twice for the Marlins, who had six hits.

Steve Cishek gave up a single and a walk in the ninth, but retired Garrett Jones on a grounder for the final out to earn his 22nd save in 24 chances.

Tino Martinez resigned as Miami’s hitting coach following the game, hours after complaints by players that he verbally abused them became public.

NATIONALS 14, METS 1

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wilson Ramos hit a grand slam and rookie right-hander Taylor Jordan had six strong innings for his first major league win to lead Washington to the rout of New York.

The Nationals won their third game in a row and fourth in five to salvage a tumultuous 11-game homestand.

They lost the first six games after the All-Star break, fired hitting coach Rick Eckstein last Monday and demoted former closer Drew Storen to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Mets right-hander Carlos Torres (1-2) could not build on his solid start last week against the Atlanta Braves, allowing eight runs and nine hits in just three innings. Ramos hit his grand slam in the third, ripping a 2-1 pitch into the left-field stands to cap a five-run inning.

Jordan (1-3) earned his first victory in his sixth career start. The 24-year-old held New York to five hits in six innings.

ROCKIES 6, BREWERS 5

DENVER (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki homered early, then doubled to start a two-run rally in the eighth inning that propelled Colorado past Milwaukee.

Michael Cuddyer, Dexter Fowler and Corey Dickerson also homered for the Rockies, who salvaged a split of their 10-game homestand.

Yuniesky Betancourt and Norichika Aoki homered and Carlos Gomez had two hits and scored twice for the Brewers.

The Rockies had hoped to stay in the thick of the NL West race when they resumed after the All-Star break against the three worst teams in the NL. Instead, they lost three of four to Miami and were in danger of losing the series to Milwaukee before coming back against John Axford (4-4).

Rex Brothers got the final three outs for his seventh save.

PADRES 1, DIAMONDBACKS 0

PHOENIX (AP) — Tyson Ross outpitched All-Star Patrick Corbin with eight dominant innings and San Diego beat Arizona to close out its first winning road trip of the season.

Carlos Quentin had a run-scoring single in the first inning off Corbin (12-2) and Ross (2-4) took it from there, allowing three hits and striking out seven in the combined three-hitter. Huston Street worked a perfect ninth for his 19th save in 20 chances.

San Diego went 6-4 to win its first road trip since Aug. 24-26 and first of six or more games since June 25-July 4, 2012.

Cliff Pennington had two hits for Arizona, which went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position for its first 1-0 loss at Chase Field in nearly three years.