Thursday, June 4, 2009

SEATTLE (AP) Erik Bedard pitched like an ace against his former team, Ichiro Suzuki extended his hitting streak to a team-record 26 consecutive games and the Seattle Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-2 on Tuesday night.

Setting a new standard: Ichiro Suzuki hits a single during the first inning against the Orioles to extend his hitting streak to a team-record 26 games on Tuesday in Seattle. AP PHOTO

Bedard (4-2) allowed one run and four hits in 6 1-3 innings to lower his ERA to 2.37, fourth-best in the American League. He struck out seven while throwing a season-high 112 pitches.

Ken Griffey Jr. and new No. 2 hitter Russell Branyan homered for the Mariners, which led 5-0 after six innings.

Ichiro extended his hitting streak by chopping the third pitch of the game to the right of shortstop Cesar Izturis. Izturis' rushed throw pulled Ty Wigginton off the bag, but Ichiro had already reached first.

This is his seventh hitting streak of at least 20 games since he arrived in Seattle for the 2001 season. That ties him with George Sisler for the fourth most 20-plus game hitting streaks. Willie Keeler, Ty Cobb and Pete Rose had eight.

Red Sox 5, Tigers 1

In Detroit, Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed one run in five innings to get his first win of the year and help manager Terry Francona earn his 500th victory.

"For a starting pitcher, getting that first win is important — it feels like the beginning of the season," said Matsuzaka, who allowed at least one baserunner in each inning. "I was able to pitch well with runners on base."

Blue Rays 6, Angels 4

In Toronto, Roy Halladay struck out a career-high 14 to win his major league-leading ninth game, Alex Rios backed him with a home run and the Blue Jays beat Los Angeles.

Rays 6, Royals 2

In St. Petersburg, Fla., Matt Joyce hit a tiebreaking, two-run double and added a two-run homer, and Andy Sonnanstine allowed two runs in6 2/3 innings to lead the Rays past Kansas City.

Yankees 12, Rangers 3

In New York, Mark Teixeira sparked the Yankees with a takeout slide at second base after being hit with pitches twice, Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada hit three-run homers and New York beat the Rangers to take over best record in the American League.

Matsui finished 2-for-5.

Twins 4, Indians 3

In Minneapolis, Joe Mauer homered and had three RBIs to help Kevin Slowey win again in the Twins' victory over Cleveland.

Athletics 5, White Sox 0

In Chicago, Vin Mazzaro pitched into the seventh inning to win his major league debut.

Braves 6, Cubs 5 (12)

In Atlanta, Jeff Francoeur hit a tying two-run homer with two outs in the ninth and Chipper Jones drove in the winning run with a 12th-inning single, helping the Braves rally for a victory over Chicago.

The Cubs' Kosuke Fukudome finished 2-for-5 in the loss while Atlanta starter Kenshin Kawakami gave up three runs over seven innings but did not factor in the decision.

Pirates 3, Mets 1

In Pittsburgh, Zach Duke pitched seven effective innings and the Pirates beat Johan Santana and New York.

Marlins 10, Brewers 3

In Miami, Cody Ross hit a grand slam and Dan Uggla belted a milestone home run to help Florida beat Milwaukee.

Nationals 10, Giants 6

In Washington, Christian Guzman hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the Nationals' six-run eighth inning.

Cardinals 5, Reds 2

In St. Louis, rookie Nick Stavinoha gave the Cardinals another key hit with a two-run, go-ahead double in the sixth.

Phillies 10, Padres 5

In San Diego, Raul Ibanez homered twice and drove in five runs, and left-hander Antonio Bastardo won his major league debut.

Astros 3, Rockies 2 (11)

In Houston, Miguel Tejada hit a game-winning homer off Josh Fogg in the 11th.

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5

In Los Angeles, James Loney hit a tying, three-run double in the eighth inning and Casey Blake followed with an RBI single.

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