Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 25

Austin American-Statesman SPORTS Saturday, April 21, 2007 B5 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL A-Rod homers twice but Red Sox come back to win L- iJw a 1- Elise Amendola associated I'liEss Alex Rodriguez hits the first of two home runs, giving him 12 in his first 15 games, tying Mike Schmidt's record. MorryGash assix'IATEDI'KESs Houston's Craig Biggio connects on his ninth-inning grand slam, his first slam in 13 years and third of his career. HOUSTON 6, MILWAUKEE 5 Biggio's slam beats Brewers Astros 6, Brewers 5 Homer heroes Most home runs In a month Sammy Sosa, 20, June 1998 Most home runs in April Albert Pujols, 14, 2006 Ramirez walked. Drew moved the runners up, then Mike Lowell singled to make it 6-3 and bring in Rivera. Jason Varitek, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth, singled to make it 6-4, then Crisp tripled down the right-field line to tie it.

With the infield in, Cora fisted a blooper over Jeter's head, driving in the go-ahead run. The Red Sox wore green uniforms to honor late Celtics ASSOCIATED PKESS BOSTON Alex Rodriguez hit two more homers, but Coco Crisp tied the game with a two-run triple and then scored the winning run on Alex Cora's blooper during a five-run eighth inning Friday night in the Boston Red Sox's 7-6, comeback victory over the New York Yankees. Crisp was already in the highlights after toppling into the Boston bullpen in pursuit of Rodriguez's second homer of the game, a three-run shot in the fifth that gave the Yankees a 5-2 lead. Rodriguez went 3 for 5 and joined Mike Schmidt, who hit 12 homers in the first 15 games in 1976, as the fastest to reach a dozen -in baseball history. With closer Jonathan Papel-bon unavailable after pitching in each of the previous two games, Hideki Okajima pitched the ninth for his first major league save.

Losing pitcher Mariano Rivera (1-2) allowed two runs on three hits, striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. Rodriguez, who has hit safely in all 15 games this year, also leads the majors with 30 RBIs and 65 total bases. J.D. Drew had three hits for Boston, which trailed 5-2 before David Ortiz led off the eighth with a double and Manny L0NGH0RNS: Continued from Bl when the Cornhuskers beat the Longhorns 6-0. "It was the perfect storm, that's pretty much how you can sum it up," Clark said.

"They hit some good pitches, and (Watson) did a good job of mixing speeds and hitting his spots." For his part, Garrido didn't have to witness the whole game, in which Russell gave up six runs and 11 hits in five innings. The Texas coach was ejected in the sixth for arguing that umpire Dave Aschwege missed a call at first base, where he ruled that Travis Tucker's foot never touched the base to force out Mitch Abieta, who had bunted. "I didn't like the fact that (Aschwege) was so aggressive with me," said Garrido, who came out of the dugout to argue the call. "He got right in my Houston AB BB SO Av Biggio 2b 4 2 1 4 1 0 .238 Lanecf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261 Ensberg3b 5 0 1 0 0 1 .275 Lidge 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 TreMiller 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Quails 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Berkmanlb 5 0 1 1 0 1 .212 Caleelf 4 0 1 0 0 1 .293 Scott rf 3 0 0 0 1 1 J50 Burke cf-2b 4 1 2 0 0 1 .245 AEverettSS 3 2 1 0 1 0 .289 Ausmus 3 12 1 0 1 J03 Albersp 2 0 0 0 0 0 .000 OPalmeiroph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .300 RiWhitep 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Lambph-3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 .250 Totals 15 9 i 3 7 Milwaukee I II BB SO tn, Weeks 2b 2 1 0 0 3 1 .262 Hardy ss 5 2 2 1 0 1 .273 Fielder lb 3 1 1 3 2 0 .279 BHall cf 3 0 1 1 2 0 .273 JEstradac 5 0 2 0 0 0 .286 Graffaninopr 0 0 0 0 0 0 .226 Jenkins If 4 0 1 0 0 1 JIB CHartph 0 0 0 0 1 0 .289 Menchrf 4 0 0 0 0 0 J70 Gross ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .286 Counsell3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 J42 BSheetsp 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Wisep 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Aquino 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Gwynn ph 0 1 0 0 1 0 .455 Totah 31 5 8 5 9 3 Nebraska's Watson dominates AMERICAN LEAGUE BOSTON The Red Sox wore green uniforms Friday to honor Red Auer-bach, with a black "VT" patch in memory of those who died at Virginia Tech. All 16 Celtics championship banners were draped from the Green Monster, along with a silhouette of the late Celtics patriarch.

Bob Cousy threw out the first pitch, accompanied by owners, executives and current and former players. It is believed that it was the first time the Red Sox wore home jerseys with the players' names on back. NEW YORK The difference in experience among the Yankees' and Red Sox' starters in the next two games is striking. The Yankees use will rookies Jeff Karstens and Chase Wright The Red Sox will send out Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuza-ka. "They're running their aces out there," Karstens said, "and we're running young guys out there." TEXAS Michael Young has started the season in a deep slump that has gripped the entire team, but Young is confident that the Rangers will hit "We're hitting (.217) as a team and that's not going to last," said Young, the 2005 AL batting champ whose .175 average on Thursday was 85th among the 94 AL qualifiers.

"It's early. If we can keep our head above water, we'll hit" Kameron Loe makes his first start of the season tonight, replacing the injured Jamey Wright (right shoulder inflammation) as the No. 5 starter. Manager Ron Washington said Loe will get at least three starts while Wright recovers. BALTIMORE Jay Payton is finally ready to-make his belated debut with the Orioles.

He was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday after being sidelined by a strained left hamstring. "It's great I was feeling good at the end of the spring right before I got hurt so it's just very disappointing not being able to start the season on time," Pay-ton said. "I'm just happy to be back here now." MINNESOTA Twins pitcher Anthony Swarzak was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a drug of abuse under baseball's minor league testing program. The 21-year-old right-hander was 0-2 with an 11.12 ERA in one start and one relief appearance over SVi innings this season for New Britain of the Double-A Eastern League. NATIONAL LEAGUE HOUSTON Manager Phil Garner said pitcher Fernando Nieve has a right to be upset that he wasn't called up when pitcher Jason Jennings went on the disabled list with a sore elbow April 16.

The Astros brought up Matt Albers instead because Nieve (1-1, 3.86) hadn't looked sharp at Triple-A Round Rock, Garner said. But he said the Astros expect Nieve to be mainstay in Houston in the future. CHICAGO Alfonso Soriano's sore hamstring is healing quickly and the center fielder hopes to return as soon as this weekend. Manager Lou Piniella, however, said it'll probably be early next week before his leadoff hitter is ready. Soriano missed his fourth straight game Friday after straining his left hamstring Monday against the Padres.

He is batting .245 with no homers, one RBI and one stolen base in his first 12 games with the Cubs. FLORIDA Slugger Miguel Cabrera was held out of the starting lineup Friday because of a sore right oblique, but he and manager Fredi Gdnzalez said the injury didn't appear serious. ATLANTA Tim Hudson (3-0) has allowed two runs in 29 innings this season for a microscopic 0.62 ERA. CINCINNATI Mike Stanton made his career appearance, matching John Franco for second on the career list Jesse Orosco made a record 1,252 appearances. The Reds gave away Ryan Freel "dirty" jerseys in honor of the utility player the shirts had fake dirt on the chest Freel's actual jersey stayed clean as he went 1 for 5, getting a single during the winning rally Friday.

From wire feports Houston Milwaukee 100 000 104 9 100 910 003 -5 1 JEstrada 2). LOB: Houston 6. Milwaukee I1.2B: AEverett (3), Ausmus (4), JEstrada (6). HR: Fielder (2), off Lidge: Biggio (2), off Aquino; Hardy (3), off Albers. RBts: Biggio 4 (8), Berkman (6), Ausmus (3), Hardy (9), Fielder 3 (10), BHall (10).

SB: Biggio (1), CaLee (2). Burke (5). Gwynn (1). Huston IPHRER BB SO NP ERA Albers 6 6 2 2 3 1 98 3.00 2 0 0 0 3 1 36 1.86 Lidge 2 3 3 2 1 21 10.13 TreMiller 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 7.71 Quails S.1 HOOP 0 0 6 2.25 Milwaukee IPHRER BG SO NP ERA BSheets 7 7 2 2 2 4 106 5.00 WiseL.0-1 1 1 1 1 0 2 18 3.68 Aquino 1 1 3 3 1 1 19 5.87 TreMiller pitched to 1 batter in the 9th, Wise pitched to 1 batter in the 9th. Ti 3:09.

41322 intentionally walked. The Astros pulled Miller for Chad Quails, who got pinch-hitter Gabe Gross to ground out for his first save. Astros starter Matt Albers, making his third major league start and first this season, labored through six innings, allowing two runs and six hits. MONDAY TUESDAY at Philadelphia, at Pittsburgh, 6:05 p.m., TW 77 6:05 p.m., FSNSW Athletics 16, Rangers 4 patriarch Red Auerbach, with black VT" patches in memory of those who died at Virginia 1 Tech. Rodrieuez flied out to the warning track in the second inning, then homered to left to lead off the fourth.

Jeter and Abreu singled in the fifth be- luxe iuui igue uiaue li wiui a line drive off Curt Schilling that sent Crisp back to the short wall and over it. Rodriguez, who entered the game 6 for 31 (.194) against Schilling, moved past Willie Stargell and Stan Musial into the top 25 on baseball's all-time homer list with 476. The Yankees third baseman also doubled and scored in the eighth. Garrido knew Texas must right the ship, having lost two ovn rrV rrorvinc fny liiot Vi cart. ona time mis season.

"It's about resDondine." Garrido said. "How do you re- spond to this? If we accept this nc a phnllpnaa marho uo ran take this to another level." Note: The Longhorns wore maroon Virginia Tech ballcaps to show their support for those associated with the university, which is trying to recover after a 23-year-old student killed 32 people Monday before committing suicide. The idea to wear the hats -came from Texas men's athlet-1 ic director DeLoss Dodds, a spokesman said. The Long- uui us pjcuiiieu iu wecu uic iicua only Friday, the same day Virginia Tpnh nlaved in its first sporting event since the trage- dy, a home baseball game against Miami. atrubowstatesman.com; 445-3959 PCL standings AMERICAN CONFERENCE Northern Division Team Pet GB Iowa (Cubs) 9 6 .600 Nashville (Brewers) 9 6 .600 Omaha (Royals) 7 9 .438 2 Memphis (cardinals) 6 10 375 3ft Southern Division Team Pet GB New Orleans (Mets) 10 6 .625 DnnnH Dvk Actmc 7 Cfil 1 Albuquerque (Marlins) 6 9 .400 3W Oklahoma (Rangers) 6 9 .400 3Vi PACIFIC CONFERENCE Northern Division Team Pet GB Salt Lake (Angels) 9 7 .563 Portland (Padres) 7 9 .438 2 Tacoma (Mariners) 7 9 .438 2 Colo.

Springs (Rockies) 310 .231 4W Southern Division Team Pet GB Las Vegas (Dodgers) 10 5 .667 Sacramento (Athletics) 10 6 .625 Fresno (Giants) 8 8 .500 2Yi Tucson (D'Backs) 7 7 .500 2W Friday's games Omaha 10, Round Rock 7 New Orleans 3, Memphis 2 Iowa 6, Albuquerque 5 Nashville 5, Oklahoma 4 Fresno 5, Tacoma 1 Tucson 2, Salt Lake 1 Portland 17, Sacramento 3 Las Vegas 9, Colo. Springs 5 Today's games una at nanviiic, p.ni, Portland at Colorado Springs, 6:05 p.m. Omaha at Memphis, 6:10 p.m. Oklahoma at Round Rock, 7:05 p.m. lacoma ai sail Lane, r.n p.m.

New Orleans at Albuquerque, 8:05 p.m. Las Vegas at Sacramento, 9:05 p.m. Tucson at Fresno, 9:05 p.m. EXPRESS ROAD REPORT Omaha 10, Round Rock 7 Houston wins fifth straight and improves to 6-1 on the road ASSOUATKllPKKSS MILWAUKEE Craig Biggio hit his first grand slam in 13 years with one out in the ninth and the Houston Astros beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 on Friday night to extend their winning streak to five. Chris Burke led off the ninth with a bunt single off Matt Wise (0-1).

Adam Everett then walked on four pitches while trying to sacrifice Burke over. Brad Ausmus bunted, but catcher Johnny Estrada couldn't throw out Burke at third to load the bases with no outs. Greg Aquino struck out pinch-hitter Mike Lamb before Biggio hit his third career grand slam into the Brewers' bullpen in left center field. Bill Hall's leaping attempt at the wall came up short. It was Biggio's first grand slam since July 24, 1994, against Pittsburgh.

His other came in-1989. The Astros are 6-1 on the road to start the season. Former Astros closer Brad Lidge walked Tony Gwynn and Rickie Weeks to begin the ninth, and after a strikeout, Prince Fielder homered to cut Houston's lead to 6-5. Lidge then got Hall to ground out before Estradahitadoubleto gap. The Astros brought in Trever Miller to face pinch hitter Corey Hart, who was On deck: Astros' next four TODAY SUNDAY at Milwaukee, at Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m.

1:05 p.m. OAKLAND 16, TEXAS 4 As rip apart Rangers pitchers ASWK'IArail'IilXS ARLINGTON Rookie Travis Buck hit his first career home run and drove in a career-high five runs to help the Oakland Athletics stretch their winning streak to four games with a 16-4 blowout of the free-falling Texas Rangers on Friday night. Buck added a three-run double and Bobby Crosby doubled in two more during an eight-run second inning. Oakland had scored 26 runs in its previous eight games before breaking out with a season-high total against Texas. Shannon Stewart and Nick Swisher added homers for Oakland.

The bottom five hitters in the A's starting lineup Milton Bradley, Buck, Crosby, Jason Kendall and Mark Ellis combined to go 10 for 16 with 10 RBIs and 12 runs scored. The Rangers lost for the fifth time in six games as Ron Washington managed his first regular-season game against his former team. Washington was an Oakland coach for 11 seasons On deck: Rangers' next four 3 Nebraska 7, Texas 0 TEXAS AB Oanks If 4 0 Russell rf 4 0 Wheeless lb 4 0 Bl NEBRASKA AB Bl 1 0 Belfonte rf 5 1 1 0 0 0 Wehrle ss 5 1 0 Brown lb 4 0 0 Opitz 2b 5 0 0 Corriston 3b 4 0 0 Tezak dh 3 0 0 Gerch If 4 0 0 Nimmocf 4 0 0 Abeitac 2 2 Totals 36 4 4 0 0 Suttle3b 3 0 1 0 Clarke Peoples cf Prince dh Tucker 2b Demperio ss Totals 3 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 3 0 28 0 2 1 1 0 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 713 7 Tucker (5); Opitz, J. (8). DP Huskers 1.

IOB Texas Huskers 9. 2B Wehrle. (4): Gerch, A. (11); Nimmo. B.

(1). HR Wehrle, R. (3): Gerch, A. (3): Abeita. (1 SH Prince.

J. (7); Abeita. M. (6). SB Tezak, J.

(5). Texas Nebraska 0O0 0O0 000 0 2 1 lit 301 10X 7 13 1 TEXAS JRussell (L.8-3) Wood Walker NEBRASKA Watson (W. 4-2) IP 2 1 ER BB SO 6 6 16 110 1 0 0 2 1 ER BB SO 9 0 0 0 6 WP Loneroan. HBP by Watson, T. (Peoples) 6,419.

2:24. face. He said I got in his, but I didn't. "I'm right on the call. Ask the TV guys," said Garrido, who watched the rest of the game from the CSTV truck outside the stadium.

No matter who was right, Who's hot Express right ielder Josh Anderson was 7 for 9 over the past two games, lifting his average above .300. On deck: The Express opens an eight-game homestand tonight After a four-game series against Oklahoma, Round Rock will play four against Albuquerque. Both visiting clubs are under .500. STAT OF THE DAY 3pT Round Rock's 0 record on its season-opening road trip. Omaha 10, Round Rock 7 RROCX Anderson rf Bruntlettlf Pence cf Conrad 2b Munson lb Klassen 3b Rodriguez dh Ardoin Garcia ss Totals AB Bl 4 0 3 2 OMAHA AB Bl Gathright dh 2 2 1 0 4 0 1 Berroa ss Costa rf Butler If Aviles 3b Huberlb Maierdh Phillips Cortez 2b Totals 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 2 1 2 2 3 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 714 914 Conrad (2): Estrada (1).

DP Round Rock 1: Omaha 1. LOB Round Rock Omaha 5. 2B -Anderson (2); Aviles (3): Gathright (3). 3B Klassen (1); Costa (1). HR Klassen (3); Conrad (2).

SF Maier. Round Rock Omaha 2t (11 201 -T 13 1 tea 201 Ota it ROUND ROCK Barzilla (L, 2-1) Rodriguez McLemore Estrada OMAHA Bannister Wright 2-2) IP 3 3 1 1 IP 2 3 ER BB SO 8 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 ER BB SO 2 0 1 2 1 2 3 2 4 Giron (S. 2) 3V, HBP by Wright (Bruntlett). Art: 3.243. 2:47.

EXPRESS HOMESTAND two starts. Did you know? The RedHawks were known as the Oklahoma City 89ers from 1962-97. The 89ers were once the minor-league affiliate of the Houston Colt who became the Houston Astros. Albuquerque Isotopes (Florida Marlins) Thursday-April 29 Hottest hitter OF John Gall has a team-high 18 hits in 55 at-bats (.327) and has struck out only four Oakland AB Bl BB SO Avy, ShStewartlf 4 2 2 4 2 0 .226 Swisher lb 5 2 1 1 1 1 .236 EChavez3b 5 0 0 1 0 0 .266 Melhuse ph-3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .250 Piazza dh 6 0 0 0 0 3 .242 Bradley 13 1 0 4 tl .281 Kreltypr-cf 1 1 0 0 0 0 .150 Buckrf 3 2 2 5 3 1 .282 Crosbyss 4 2 3 2 1 0 .234 Scutaross 1 0 0 0 0 0 .120 Kendall 3 2 1 0 1 0 .183 Ellis 2b 5 2 3 3 0 0 .244 Totah 39 16 13 16 12 5 Tem AB Bt BB SO Avo, Lofton cf 5 1 3 1 0 0 .254 Catalanotto If 3 1 1 0 0 0 .154 Kataph-lf-lb 1 0 0 0 0 0 .214 MYoungss 4 0 1 2 0 2 .185 Teixeiralb 4 0 2 0 0 1 .214 HairstonJr.lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286 Sosadh 4 0 0 0 0 2 .204 Blalock3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 .236 Kinsler2b 4 2 2 0 0 0 .333 Cruzrf 4 0 1 1 0 1 211 Lairdc 4 0- 0 0 0 1 .119 Totah 36 4 10 4 1 Oakland 080 200 060 -16 13 Texas BOH 030 001 4 10 mOMSTWREKMtTS The final game of an eight-game road trip likely left the Express eager to return to Dell Diamond. Omaha scored eight runs in the second inning, helped by an error and a pair of generously scored hits, to split its series against Round Rock.

The Royals totaled 19 runs in the final two games of the series. They managed just two runs combined in dropping the first two games. Trailing 10-2 after four innings, the Express closed the gap by scoring five runs over the final five innings. Third baseman Danny Klassen homered and drove in three runs for Round Rock. Brooks Conrad added a two-run shot for the Express.

Receiving little help from his defense, Express starter Philip Barzilla gave up eight runs in three innings. In his previous four appearances, including one start, Barzilla had allowed just two earned runs in 11 innings. Four Royals had two RBIs apiece. Oklahoma RedHawks (Texas Rangers) Today-Tuesday Hottest hitter Entering play Friday, OF Victor Diaz was hitting a blistering .388 (10th in the Pacific Coast League) with four doubles and 11 RBIs. However, his 14 strikeouts tied him for the fifth most in the PCL.

Nearly unhittable: In 11 innings, right-hander Francisco Cruceta has given up two runs (one earned) on three hits He is 1-0 in IOB: Oakland 9, Texas 6. Buck (4), Crosby 2 (3), Ellis 2 (4), Lofton (3), MYoung (4), Kinsler 2 (3), Cruz (1). HR: Swisher (2), off Benoit; ShStewart (1). off Benoit: Buck (1). off BChen.

RBIs: ShStewart 4 (5), Swisher (6), EChavez (9), Buck 5(7), Crosby 2 (6), Ellis (12), Lofton (6), MYoung 2 (12), Cruz (5). Oakland IP ER BB SO NP ERA BlantonW.2-0 Calero Marshall Witasick DiNardo 6 7 3 3 I I I 0 0 0 10 0 0 12 11 94 4.13 8 5.14 4 2.25 11 9.00 19 3.60 Texas IP ER BB SO NP ERA McCarthy U-3 1 4 6 6 2 1 43 10.20 BChen 4 4 4 4 5 2 86 7.20 Feldman 1 0 0 0 3 1 30 4.32 Mahay 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 1.35 Benoit 1 5 6 6 1 1 34 10.80 Otsuka 1 0 0 0 1 0 11 0.00 McCarthy pitched to 6 batters in the 2nd. 3:03. before being hired to manage the Rangers last November. The A's scored four runs in the second against Brandon McCarthy (1-3) to knock out the Rangers starter.

McCarthy allowed six runs and four hits in one-plus inning, the shortest outing by a Rangers starter this season and the shortest by McCarthy in his 16 career starts. His ERA rose from 7.07 to 10.20. times. Nearly unhittable: No one really fits this category, since the pitch- -ing staff carries the fourth worst ERA in the PCL (4.81) and has given up the second most runs (79), Lefty Christopher George (1-0) does have a 2.93 ERA in three starts. Did you know? Albuquerque joined the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 1972.

That season, manager Tommy Lasorda led the team to the PCL championship. William Wilkerson TODAY SUNDAY vs. Oakland, vs. Oakland. 7:05 p.m.

TW 77 2:05 p.m. TW 77 MONDAY TUESDAY vs. Seattle, vs. Seattle, 7:05 p.m. FSNSW 1:05 p.m., TW 77.