Boston Hits Milestones in Rout of Baltimore

The Boston Red Sox enjoyed another blowout victory over the Baltimore Orioles, only this time they enhanced their pleasure by reaching several significant milestones.

Josh Beckett gave up two hits in seven innings, Wily Mo Pena hit a home run and had four runs batted in, and the Red Sox beat the Orioles for the 12th consecutive time, 11-1, on Monday night at Baltimore.

This one was a little more special, however, because the 12 consecutive victories combine for Boston’s longest run against Baltimore since the Orioles moved from St. Louis in 1954, and Red Sox Manager Terry Francona gained his 500th victory.

Coming back from two consecutive rainouts, the Red Sox showed almost no signs of rust, building an 8-1 lead by the fifth inning of a victory that thrust them into sole possession of first place in the AL East.

“Any time you take some time off you kind of worry. I don’t know if stale is the right word, but you’re not sure,” Francona said.

“We did a good job. We played a very crisp game tonight.”

The victory improved Francona’s record to 500-507. He started with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1997 and is in his third season with Boston.

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Texas 4, New York 2 -- Kevin Millwood pitched seven crisp innings, Mark Teixeira hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth and Texas beat the Yankees on another rainy day at Arlington, Texas.

Brad Wilkerson homered to begin the comeback from a two-run deficit, and Texas ended an eight-game losing streak against the Yankees that dated to last season.

Michael Young and Hank Blalock each drove in a run for the Rangers, who had played only 5 1/2 innings since Wednesday because they were rained out twice in Boston over the weekend.

Mike Mussina delivered another fine outing for the Yankees. Without injured sluggers Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui, New York has scored 12 runs in the last five games.

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Chicago 7, Minnesota 3 -- Freddy Garcia won his sixth consecutive decision as the White Sox prevailed at Minneapolis.

Scott Podsednik, Joe Crede and Chris Widger each homered to help Chicago win despite resting regulars Jermaine Dye, A.J. Pierzynski and Tadahito Iguchi. The White Sox lead the majors with a 25-12 record.

Garcia (6-1) pitched 6 2/3 innings, giving up three runs and seven hits, including a home run by Torii Hunter.

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Kansas City at Cleveland, ppd., rain -- The Royals-Indians game was rained out and will be made up as the first part of a day-night doubleheader Aug. 12.