Monroe Slam Downs Birds; Hernandez 1-hits BoSox

Wednesday's Peak Performers and Fabulous Flops American League Detroit's Craig Monroe (right) pounded a grand slam to deep center field at Camden Yards, sending the Tigers to a 4-1, 12-inning win over the Baltimore Orioles. Monroe's blast, his 1st home run of the season, broke a scoreless tie in which the Orioles used 8 pitchers and scored a single run in the bottom of the 12th. Detroit closer Todd Jones came in to get the final out and his 5th save of the season. Monroe finished the night 3-6 with a double, the slam and 4 RBI. The Tigers won 2 of 3 at Baltimore. The Fenway fans came out to see pitching phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K), but instead were treated to a one-hitter by opposing pitcher Felix Hernandez, Seattle's answer to pitcher-hysteria. Hernandez had a no-hitter through 7 innings, but gave up a scratch single to J. D. Drew in the 8th, striking out 6 and walking just 2 for the complete game win. Hernandez has yet to allow an earned run in two starts this season. His first start of 2007 resulted in 8 innings of 3 hit ball against the A's on April 2nd. Troy Glaus launched a solo shot and scored 3 times in Toronto's 7-3 home win over Kansas City. Minnesota's Ramon Ortiz shut down the visiting Yankees on 3 hits, allowing just one earned run, as the Twins won, 4-1. Ortiz picked up his second win in as many outings. Texas shortstop Michael Young homered twice, drove in 4 runs, but his effort fell short as the Devil Rays won, 6-5, at Texas. National League Andruw Jones (right) blasted a 3-run homer in the 7th to help send the Washington Nationals to their 8th loss in 9 games, all at home. The Braves, meanwhile, improved to 7-1 with the 8-3 win and remain alone atop the NL East. It was Jones' 2nd home run of the season; he's batting just .167 thus far. San Diego's Greg Maddux was all 6's on Wednesday night as he evened his record at 1-1. He pitched 6 innings, gave up 6 hits and struck out 6 San Francisco Giants. One column which was not a 6, but a 0, was earned runs. Three Padre relievers came on to finish what Maddux started as the Padres won, 4-0. LA's Brad Penny improved his record to 2-0, as he shut down the visiting Colorado Rockies on 2 hits over 6 1/3 innings. Penny walked 4, struck out 3 and didn't allow a run. Takashi Saito worked the ninth inning for his 5th save in the 3-0 win.