KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Josh Willingham drove in three runs and Justin Morneau to runs as the Minnesota Twins held off the Kansas City Royals and earned a 10-6 victory. Willingham homered for the 11th time this season and Morneau hit his 10th.
For the rookie third baseman Royals Mike Moustakas was three for four, scored three runs and knocked in two more. He also hit his ninth home run in the second inning. The Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to close a five-run deficit and make the game interesting, however it wasn’t enough.
LOS ANGELES – Ervin Santana pitched into the fifth inning for the Los Angeles Angels and gave up seven earned runs and walked six batters. Jason Vargas pitched into the sixth for the Mariners and struck out eight giving up four earned runs. It was not a night for good pitching as the two teams collectively had 22 hits. Kendrys Morales had two home runs for the Angels, but it wasn’t enough and the Mariners held on for a 8-6 victory to take the first game of the three-game series.
OAKLAND – Oakland A’s rookie starter Jarrod Parker took a no hitter into the eighth inning against the powerful Texas Rangers and the A’s went on to pound the Rangers 12-1. Michael Young grounded a single through the middle for Texas’ first hit leading off the eighth. Brandon Inge and Kila Ka’aihue Homer for the A’s. Seth Smith had four hits and scored two runs, but the night belonged to Parker who struck out six and walked three earning his second win of the season.
