>>Cubs Pummel Pirates

(Chicago, IL)  --  Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro each went deep during a nine-run fifth inning as the Cubs crushed the Pirates, 14-4, in the opener of a three-game series.  Darwin Barney added a three-run shot and four RBI in Chicago's third straight win.  Justin Germano went five innings to earn his first win in his first start with the Cubs.  Erik Bedard was tagged for nine runs, eight earned, in four-and-a-third innings to fall to 5-and-12.  Michael McKenry knocked in two runs in Pittsburgh's second straight loss.

MLB NL
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San Diego Padres 11, Cincinnati Reds 5
Atlanta Braves 8, Miami Marlins 2
Milwaukee Brewers 8, Houston Astros 7
Arizona Diamondbacks 7, Los Angeles Dodgers 2
New York Mets 8, San Francisco Giants 7 (10 inn)

>>Twins Trim White Sox

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Jamey Carroll's sac-fly RBI in the bottom of the ninth gave the Twins a 7-6 win over the White Sox in the first of a three-game series.  Ryan Doumit and Danny Valencia plated two runs apiece for the Twins, who have won four straight.  Glen Perkins was credited with his second win.  A.J. Pierzynski belted a three-run homer and Alejandro De Aza had four hits and two RBI for the White Sox.  Brett Myers was charged with the loss.

MLB AL
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Baltimore Orioles 5, New York Yankees 4
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 15, Texas Rangers 8
Boston Red Sox 7, Detroit Tigers 3
Oakland Athletics 4, Tampa Bay Rays 3 (15 inn)
Seattle Mariners 4, Toronto Blue Jays 1