MLB roundup: Rays clinch winning record
Ben Zobrist hit a grand slam, Cliff Floyd drove in five runs and the AL East-leading Rays guaranteed their first-ever winning season with a 14-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.
"Going into spring training I knew we were better," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We just didn't know how much better. Eighty-two wins is a big moment, and I want this to be the standard of what we do, to get that number on an annual basis.
"You've got to break through the barrier eventually. We've done it, now let's move on down the road."
Floyd had a two-run double, Zobrist hit his slam and Gabe Gross added a solo shot during a seven-run fourth that made it 10-0.
"It was contagious," Zobrist said.
Scott Kazmir (10-6) allowed three hits and three walks over 5 1-3 scoreless innings. The left-hander has won 10 games or more in four straight seasons. Tampa Bay joined the 1968 Oakland Athletics as the only teams to have five pitchers 26 years old or younger with 20 starts and 10 wins in the same season.
"It's been a great season and we're showing no signs of letting up," Kazmir said.
"They're on a roll right now. They're playing very well at home," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said.
RED SOX 8, WHITE SOX 0: At Boston, Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed two hits in eight innings, Dustin Pedroia had four hits and Jason Bay drove in three runs to lead Boston past Chicago. Coming off a 6-3 road trip and with Josh Beckett placed on the disabled list, Boston used Matsuzaka (16-2) in his place against the AL Central leaders. He pitched one of his most efficient games of a season in which he's been among the AL ERA lead while giving up the most walks in the AL. He struck out seven, walked two and threw 104 pitches. His 16 wins tied Hideo Nomo's single-season record for the most by a native of Japan.
YANKEES 2, BLUE JAYS 1: At New York, Carl Pavano held down Toronto in his first start at Yankee Stadium since opening day last year, and New York managed just enough offense to beat A.J. Burnett. Pavano (2-0) drew a smattering of applause from a sellout crowd when he stepped to the mound for just his 21st start with the Yankees since signing a four-year contract worth nearly $40 million before the 2005 season.
TWINS 12, ATHLETICS 2: At Oakland, Calif., Joe Mauer matched his career high with five hits and had a season-best four RBIs, and Kevin Slowey won his fourth straight decision for Minnesota.
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