Rookie helps Rays shine

Longoria's grand slam beats Halladay, Jays

Evan Longoria (second from right) is greeted by teammates after his grand slam in the sixth inning propelled the Rays past the Blue Jays. (J. Meric/Associated Press)

Rookie All-Star Evan Longoria paid the price for a memorable moment.

Longoria hit his first career grand slam during a five-run sixth and Matt Garza threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings to help the Tampa Bay Rays past the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-4, last night in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Longoria has struggled recently, going 3 for 23 with no RBIs in his previous seven games. He broke out the slide in a big way with the bases-clearing drive off Toronto ace Roy Halladay (11-7) to put the Rays ahead, 5-0.

"Definitely one of my more prouder at-bats," said Longoria, who fouled two balls off his left ankle during a 10-pitch at-bat. "He's a tough pitcher. He was just making pitches. It was all I could do with them until he finally threw the one over the plate I could handle."

Longoria underwent treatment and had the ankle wrapped after the game, but he expects to play today.

Garza (8-5) allowed two hits and struck out six. The Rays have won two in a row following a seven-game losing streak and increased their lead over the Red Sox in the AL East to 1 1/2 games.

Halladay allowed five runs and eight hits - including seven in the sixth - in six innings. He is 8-2 in his last 13 starts.

Yankees 4, Athletics 3 - Jose Molina was hit by Lenny DiNardo's pitch with the bases loaded in the 12th inning, and host New York outlasted Oakland.

Robinson Cano had four hits and David Robertson earned his first major league win as New York pulled out a tight game that lasted 4 hours 45 minutes.

The Yankees, who stranded a whopping 21 runners, were down to their final out in the ninth when Cano doubled off Huston Street. Wilson Betemit tied it with an opposite-field single to left-center on an 0-2 pitch, handing Street his fifth blown save in 22 chances.

Ryan Sweeney put Oakland ahead, 3-2, with an RBI single off Mariano Rivera in the ninth. The All-Star closer struck out three straight batters with a runner on second to keep it a one-run game.

Diamondbacks 3, Dodgers 2 - Dan Haren threw seven scoreless innings and Conor Jackson homered and host Arizona beat Los Angeles to move one game in front of the Dodgers in the NL West.

Cardinals 6, Padres 5 - Albert Pujols had three hits and four RBIs, helping host St. Louis rally from five runs down to beat San Diego and win its fourth straight.

Marlins 9, Phillies 5 - John Baker drove in four runs and hit one of three homers for host Florida, which moved within 1 1/2 games of NL East-leading Philadelphia.

Twins 14, Rangers 2 - Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau each went deep and drove in eight runs between them as host Minnesota hit four home runs in a rout of Texas.

Astros 4, Cubs 1 - Wandy Rodriguez struck out seven, and host Houston beat Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano (10-4) and handed Chicago its third straight loss.

Orioles 11, Tigers 10 - Luke Scott homered in the bottom of the 10th and host Baltimore rallied from a six-run deficit to beat Detroit.

Reds 7, Mets 2 - Josh Fogg got his first victory since April 9 by getting New York to hit into three double plays, and Joey Votto drove in three runs, helping host Cincinnati top New York.

Brewers 8, Giants 5 - Rickie Weeks hit a two-run double to cap a four-run sixth inning, Prince Fielder homered, and visiting Milwaukee improved to 5-0 against San Francisco this season.

Nationals 8, Braves 2 - John Lannan won his rookie matchup against Jair Jurrjens, Willie Harris had three hits, three runs, and two RBIs, and visiting Washington rolled past Atlanta.

Royals 9, White Sox 1 - Gil Meche and three relievers combined on a two-hitter while John Buck and Billy Butler homered to help Kansas City beat host Chicago.

Indians 9, Mariners 6 - One-time Seattle prospect Shin-Soo Choo homered and doubled in his first two at-bats, Jeremy Sowers (1-5) picked up his first win of the season, and Cleveland snapped a 10-game road losing streak.

Rockies 7, Pirates 1 - Scott Podsednik had three doubles and Jorge De La Rosa pitched six solid innings to lead host Colorado past Pittsburgh.