Big Hurt Close to 500; Atlanta Scores, Loses Again

American League Chi Cubs 2 Chi White Sox 1 - The White Sox still can't find anyone they can beat, even with a solid pitching performance like the one they got on Saturday from Javier Vazquez (7 1/3, 5 hits, 1 earned, 8 Ks). The Cubs pushed a run across on a perfectly-executed squeeze play by Ryan Theriot (the squeezor) and Angel Pagan (the squeezee) in the top of the 9th of closer Bobby Jenks, who was doing anything but closing in this one. The Sox are deep in the throes of an horrific losing streak, dropping their 4th straight and 21 of their last 26. Ouch! Their dismal play has left them 13 1/2 games behind AL Central leader, Detroit. In those 21 losses, the Sox have scored 2 runs or less 8 times, though they were last shutout on May 31 by Toronto. LA Angels 10 Pittsburgh 1 - The LA Angles just continue to roll towards the NL West title, winning their 3rd straight and 8th of their last 10. LA improved to 28-10 at home, as Kelvim Escobar (9-3, right) gave up just one earned run off 5 hits while striking out 4 and Vladimir Guerrero boosted his All-Star credentials with a 3-5 effort, including 14th home run - a 2-run shot in the 8th. Vlad has 68 RBI, tied for 2nd in the AL with Magglio Ordonez. The Halos now lead both Oakland and Seattle by 8 games. Toronto 11 Colorado 6 - The Colorado Rockies swept the Yankees, but can't seem to find a way to beat another AL East squad - the Blue Jays - who beat them for the second time in as many days on Saturday. Frank Thomas went 4-4, including a 2-run, 1st-inning home run, driving in four runs total on the day. It was Big Hurt's 11th dinger of the season and career #498. The Rockies and Jays complete their series this afternoon, with Toronto looking for the sweep. Other AL Scores Texas 7 Houston 2 - M. Young, 2-4 4 RBI Tampa Bay 4 LA Dodgers 3 - Dodgers trail Az., SD, by 1/2-gm. Seattle 9 Cincinnati 1 - R. Ibanez, GS HR (6); R. Sexson, 2 HR (14) National League Detroit 2 Atlanta 1 - The Braves finally pushed a run across on Chipper Jones' 4th inning solo homer, but it was all they could muster off Detroit starter Justin Verlander (9-2), who powered through 7 innings, striking out 11, while surrendering only 4 hits. It was the first run for Atlanta in 4 games, having been shut out twice by Boston (4-0 and 11-0) and Friday by the Tigers with Kenny Rogers on the mound for 6 innings (5-0). The Braves' 4th straight loss dropped them 3 1/2 back of the Mets in the NL East while the Tigers retained their 1-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central. Milwaukee 7 Kansas City 1 - The Brewers won their 5th straight and 9th of their last 10, continuing to lead the Cubs and Cardinals by 8 1/2 in the NL Central. The efficient Brewers turned 8 hits and 3 walks into 7 runs for the win, their 7th in 11 recent tries against AL teams. Minnesota 11 Florida 1 - Justin Morneau remained in the hospital after a collision with Florida catcher Miguel Olivo on Friday, but the Twins didn't miss a beat, trouncing the Marlins with the help of Jason Kubel's 3-3, 3 run, 2 RBI performance. Catcher Joe Mauer cracked a pair of doubles and drove in 3, in support of starter Carlos Silva (5-8), who allowed just one earned on 4 hits over 7 innings. San Diego 6 Boston 1 - Chris Young struck out 11 and allowed just 1 hit in 7 scoreless innings of work as the Padres evened their series with Boston at 1-each with the rubber game this afternoon. Khalil Greene rapped a pair of solo home runs to lead the San Diego offense as the Padres picked up a share of 1st place in the NL West as the Dodgers lost and Arizona won. Other NL Scores Cleveland 4 Washington 3 - V. Martinez, 3-run 9th inning HR (14) Arizona 7 Baltimore 4 - J. Valverde, S (24) NY Mets 1 Oakland 0 - D. Wright, 9th inning RBI double St. Louis 8 Philadelphia 3 NY Yankees 5 San Francisco 6, 13 innings - A. Rodriguez, 4-6, solo HR (28, leads majors) Interleague Scoreboard: Friday (6/8): AL 8, NL 6 Saturday (6/9): AL 10, NL 4 Sunday (6/10): AL 9, NL 5 Monday (6/11): AL 0, NL 2 Tuesday (6/12): AL: 8, NL: 6 Wednesday (6/13): AL: 6, NL: 8 Thursday (6/14): AL: 7, NL: 5 Friday (6/15): AL: 6, NL: 8 Saturday (6/16): AL: 5, NL: 9 Sunday (6/17): AL: 9, NL: 5 Monday (6/18): AL: 7 NL: 3 Tuesday (6/19): AL: 3, NL: 11 Wednesday (6/20): AL: 10, NL: 4 Thursday (6/21): AL: 3, NL: 2 Friday (6/22): AL: 7, NL: 7 Saturday (6/23): AL: 8, NL: 6 Total: AL: 99 NL: 84 Note: During interleague play, home teams are reported under their respective leagues.