Mariners shut down Yankees
Jarrod Washburn got another shot at the New York Yankees, five days after taking part in a controversy at Yankee Stadium. His emphatic answer to participating in last weekend's dustup: eight scoreless innings against New York.
Washburn allowed six hits and struck out a season-high six and Kenji Johjima hit a two-run home run to lead the host Seattle Mariners to a 3-0 victory last night.
In his previous start, Washburn hit Josh Phelps in the back with a pitch, after Phelps had bowled over catcher Johjima at home plate. When Yankees reliever Scott Proctor retaliated later in the game, he and manager Joe Torre were ejected and eventually suspended.
"It was appreciated, I know that," Washburn said of his old-school response. "We've got to stick up for our teammates . . . That's just one of the pieces to the puzzle."
Last night, Washburn (3-3) stymied the Yankees by dominating the inner-half of the strike zone, and retiring his final eight batters. The final one was Hideki Matsui, who flailed at a pitch in the dirt.
"Washburn had a second gear tonight," said Johnny Damon, who went 1 for 4.
It was the first time in 10 starts against New York that Washburn has held the Yankees scoreless. Washburn has allowed three runs or fewer six times in seven starts this season.
"He's pitched well enough to be 6-0," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said.
Nationals 6, Marlins 0 -- Shawn Hill threw five no-hit innings before leaving with a sore right elbow, helping host Washington end an eight-game losing streak.
Hill (3-3) walked two and retired the other 15 batters he faced. He took the mound to start the sixth but left without throwing a pitch, and reliever Winston Abreu kept the Marlins hitless through that inning.
Padres 7, Cardinals 0 -- San Diego ace Jake Peavy became the first pitcher in franchise history to strike out at least 10 in four straight starts, holding visiting St. Louis to three hits in seven scoreless innings in its victory over the defending World Series champion.
Russell Branyan hit a pair of two-run homers and Khalil Greene drove in two runs, including on a solo shot.
Blue Jays 5, Devil Rays 1 -- A.J. Burnett struck out a season-high 10 to win for the first time in three starts and host Toronto ended a nine-game losing streak.
Burnett (3-3) allowed one run and five hits with a season-high five walks in 6 2/3 innings.
Athletics 8, Indians 2 -- Jack Cust drove in four runs to help host Oakland beat C.C. Sabathia and Cleveland.
Tigers 7, Twins 3 -- Mike Maroth allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings and Carlos Guillen homered and drove in four runs to help visiting Detroit beat Minnesota.
Detroit has won all seven of Maroth's starts this season.
Angels 6, Rangers 3 -- John Lackey pitched into the ninth inning before departing after Sammy Sosa's 596th career homer and Los Angeles won in Arlington, Texas.
White Sox 2, Royals 1 -- Jon Garland (2-2) held the Royals without a run for eight innings and host Chicago beat Kansas City.
Giants 8, Rockies 3 -- Colorado pitcher Josh Fogg took a no-hitter into the sixth inning only to see it evaporate, and the Giants' Tim Lincecum earned his first major league win for visiting San Francisco.
Phillies 7, Cubs 2 -- Pat Burrell homered twice and drove in five runs, Cole Hamels pitched seven strong innings, and host Philadelphia beat Chicago.
Dodgers 2, Reds 0 -- Randy Wolf (4-3) struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings and Los Angeles got its seventh consecutive win over visiting Cincinnati.
Diamondbacks 3, Astros 1 -- Chris Young hit two solo home runs and Brandon Webb shut down the Astros for his sixth career complete game to lead Arizona.
Braves 4, Pirates 1 -- Andruw Jones and Jeff Francoeur homered on consecutive pitches in the sixth inning to help visiting Atlanta end its longest streak without a home run at 72 innings. 