Saturday, July 4, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) When he finally connected, Russell Branyan made it count.

Run plater: New York's Hideki Matsui hits a sacrifice fly in the second inning against Seattle on Thursday. AP PHOTO

Branyan rebounded from a frustrating string of strikeouts with a mammoth homer over Monument Park, and the Seattle Mariners beat CC Sabathia 8-4 on Thursday night to snap the New York Yankees' seven-game winning streak.

"Majestic," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said.

Franklin Gutierrez also homered and Ichiro Suzuki hit a two-run double that was misplayed by center fielder Melky Cabrera. Chris Woodward added two RBIs as Seattle won in the Bronx for the first time since Sept. 3, 2007, ending a 10-game road losing streak against the Yankees.

"Our guys are learning how to win," reliever Miguel Batista said.

Branyan launched his 20th homer in the ninth inning, a two-run shot off right-hander Alfredo Aceves that made it 8-4. It was the first drive at the new Yankee Stadium to carom off the tinted-glass windows of the big sports bar in straightaway center, above Monument Park.

Ichiro finished 2-for-4 in the win and teammate Kenji Johjima was 2-for-3.

Hideki Matsui homered and drove in three runs for New York.

White Sox 4, Royals 1

In Kansas City, Mark Buehrle was dominant into the ninth inning, allowing six hits and a run, and Chicago got its sixth straight victory.

Angels 5, Orioles 2

In Anaheim, Bobby Abreu hit two home runs and John Lackey pitched eight solid innings for Los Angeles.

The multihomer game was the 14th of Abreu's career, his first as an Angel. Both his shots were off Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie, who gave up nine hits in seven innings.

Lackey, who had a loss and a no-decision in his last two starts, got the run support he needed this time. He struck out seven and gave up two hits while only walking one.

Astros 7, Padres 2

In San Diego, Geoff Blum hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs and Houston beat the Padres in a game delayed 52 minutes in the top of the ninth inning when a swarm of bees took over part of left field at Petco Park.

A beekeeper was called to the downtown ballpark and sprayed a chair and a ballgirl's jacket that had attracted the bees.

Padres president Tom Garfinkel said a few thousand bees attached themselves to a queen bee.

Cubs 9, Brewers 5

In Chicago, Derrek Lee hit a grand slam and a three-run homer for a career-high seven RBIs for the Cubs.

Chicago outfielder Kosuke Fukudome finished 1-for-4.

Braves 5, Phillies 2

In Atlanta, Matt Diaz drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning double and the Braves completed their first home sweep of Philadelphia in four years.

Cardinals 5, Giants 2

In St. Louis, Todd Wellemeyer rebounded from his shortest start of the season with 7 1/3 solid innings for the Cardinals.

Mets 9, Pirates 8 (10)

In Pittsburgh, Ryan Church singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning for New York, which overcame a five-run deficit and then wasted a ninth-inning lead.

Reds 3, Diamondbacks 2 (10)

In Cincinnati, Joey Votto singled with the bases loaded and two outs in the 10th inning.

We welcome your opinions. Click to send a message to the editor.