Orioles End Things on a Good Note

On finishing the trip around the bases after his first walkoff homer in the major leagues, Brian Roberts was mobbed at the plate before absorbing a big hug by Baltimore Manager Lee Mazzilli.

“It felt good,” Mazzilli said, referring to the impromptu embrace and a victory that ended the Orioles’ six-game losing streak.

Roberts homered on Mike Stanton’s first pitch in the 10th inning, and Rafael Palmeiro hit a milestone shot to lead Baltimore past the New York Yankees, 5-4, Tuesday night.

Larry Bigbie also homered for the Orioles, who rallied from a three-run deficit.

“We had a little sense of urgency tonight, more so than in the past week,” Roberts said. “There was more emotion, more excitement, more energy than we’ve had in the past couple days.”

Palmeiro hit his 563rd homer to tie Reggie Jackson for ninth place.

“These are all huge names, the greatest players of all time,” Palmeiro said, cradling the baseball. “Reggie ranks up there on that list.”

Cleveland 12, Boston 8 -- Travis Hafner hit a grand slam off Keith Foulke in a five-run ninth inning, doubled twice and drove in six runs to lead the Indians at Boston.

Jhonny Peralta singled on a 3-and-2 pitch to tie the score at 8-8, and Grady Sizemore and Casey Blake walked. Hafner followed with his 13th homer, driving an 0-and-2 changeup just inside the right-field foul pole for his second career slam.

Minnesota 11, Kansas City 8 -- Shannon Stewart had three hits and three RBIs, including a single that drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning at Minneapolis to help the Twins hand the Royals their eighth consecutive loss.

Chicago 2, Detroit 1 -- Mark Buehrle (10-1) outdueled Nate Robertson to win his ninth straight decision, and Jermaine Dye hit a tiebreaking home run to lead the White Sox at Detroit.

Oakland 8, Seattle 1 -- Marco Scutaro homered and Barry Zito earned the ninth straight win by an Oakland starter, leading the host A’s to their fifth consecutive victory.

Toronto 3, Tampa Bay 1 -- John McDonald broke an 11th-inning tie with an infield hit in a victory at St. Petersburg, Fla.