Ichiro Suzuki beat out an infield single to become the first player in major league history with at least 200 hits in nine straight seasons, Felix Hernandez scattered four hits over seven shutout innings, and the Seattle Mariners beat Texas, 5-0, for a doubleheader split last night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.
The loss dropped the Rangers four games behind the Red Sox in the AL wild-card race.
In his second at-bat of the nightcap, Suzuki hit a slow roller to shortstop Elvis Andrus, beating his throw for No. 200 and driving in a run to make it 2-0. He had been tied with Willie Keeler, who had eight consecutive 200-hit seasons from 1894-1901.
In the opener, Suzuki doubled in four at-bats, but Texas rookie Tommy Hunter threw a six-hitter for his first complete game and the Rangers hit three homers in their 7-2 victory.
Yankees 13, Orioles 3 - Hideki Matsui homered and drove in five runs and CC Sabathia became the AL’s first 17-game winner as New York avoided a three-game Yankee Stadium sweep against last-place Baltimore.
Melky Cabrera finished with four RBIs for New York, which totaled 20 hits after getting 19 in the first two games of the series combined. Derek Jeter scored three times, giving him 101 runs on the season, reaching the century mark for the 12th time.
Matsui hit a tiebreaking, two-run single off Jeremy Guthrie in the sixth and a three-run homer in an eight-run eighth.
Giants 7, Dodgers 2 - Brad Penny kept his emotions in check and pitched seven strong innings to beat his former club and Juan Uribe hit a two-run homer as San Francisco avoided a sweep by rival Los Angeles at AT&T Park.
Penny (3-0) has a perfect record since signing with the Giants Aug. 31 - he lost his final four decisions with the Red Sox before being released.
Phillies sweep Mets, 5-4, 1-0 - Pedro Martinez outdueled Tim Redding in the nightcap and looked again like a free agent bargain, leading Philadelphia to a doubleheader sweep at Citizens Bank Park.
Martinez (5-0) tossed six-hit ball, struck out seven, and threw 130 pitches in eight innings. He retired 10 straight at one point and the NL East-leading Phillies are now 7-0 when he starts.
Shane Victorino and Ben Francisco homered to lead the hosts in the opener.
Padres 7, Rockies 3 - Tony Gwynn drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in a three-run sixth inning, lifting San Diego over Jason Marquis and Colorado at Petco Park.
Marquis carried a 3-2 lead into the sixth when San Diego rallied to hand the NL wild-card leaders a loss with 18 games to play. Marquis walked four batters in the inning, including one with the bases loaded.
Nationals 7, Marlins 2 - John Lannan won for the first time in seven starts and Pete Orr hit his first home run of the season, leading Washington past Florida in a rain-shortened game at Land Shark Stadium.
It was called after a 53-minute delay in the bottom of the ninth. There was also a delay of 2 hours 10 minutes in the sixth.
Angels 3, White Sox 2 - Torii Hunter hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the seventh against Chicago ace Mark Buehrle as Los Angeles hung on at Angels Stadium.
Tigers 7, Blue Jays 2 - Gerald Laird and Brandon Inge each had two RBIs, helping Detroit beat Toronto to snap a season-worst five-game skid and match its record for wins in a season (46) at
Braves 9, Cardinals 2 - Javier Vazquez took a shutout into the ninth inning while Atlanta roughed up St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter to complete a three-game Busch Stadium sweep.
Twins 8, Athletics 0 - Joe Mauer had three hits, including his 27th home run, and Minnesota’s Brian Duensing shut down Oakland at the Metrodome.
Brewers 5, Diamondbacks 3 - Prince Fielder homered to tie Cecil Cooper’s franchise season RBI record (126), highlighting Milwaukee’s win over Phoenix at Chase Field.
Pirates 2, Astros 1 - Paul Maholm pitched eight shutout innings at Minute Maid Park as Pittsburgh trimmed Houston to snap a 13-game road skid.
Cubs 5, Reds 2 - Ted Lilly pitched six scoreless innings and Derrek Lee homered and singled twice, helping Chicago dump Cincinnati at Wrigley Field.
Royals 7, Indians 0 - At Progressive Field, Kyle Davies carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight start, pitching Kansas City past Cleveland.
