Tuesday in the MLB: News and Notes

Josh Hamilton Hits Grand Slam Against Former Team

The Texas Rangers jumped all over the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays and Andy Sonnanstine (6-3) with seven runs in the first two innings, but didn't score again until the eighth inning. Vicente Padilla (7-2) had a seven-run cushion, which over time got smaller as Cliff Floyd and Eric Hinske each hit a two-run homer. In the eighth, the Rangers broke the game open again as Josh Hamilton, who was held hit-less in his return to Tampa Bay, hit a grand slam to give him five RBI on the night.

Dice-K Suffers Back Injury

Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-0) was pulled in the fifth inning today with an apparent back injury. He gave up three runs on four hits before the injury. He was trying to improve to 9-0 on the season, like teamate Josh Becket did last season. The Seattle Mariners went on to win 4-3 in the ninth inning on Jose Lopez's RBI single. The win ended the Mariners seven-game losing streak.

Orioles Top Yanks in 11

This game was a crazy one, which featured nine home runs, six of which were hit back-to-back, and five errors. Both teams hit two home runs each in the first, scoring four runs. The New York Yankees scored four again in the fourth, and the Baltimore Orioles followed with four of their own in the fifth. The Yankees then took the lead in the 11th on a Hideki Matsui single. In the bottom half of the inning, Aubrey Huff doubled in the tying run, and Alex Cintron scored him with a single to win the game 10-9.

Santana Pitches Mets past Marlins

Considering the recent drama going on with the New York Mets, Johan Santana (6-3) was the right person to be on the mound to get them back on track. Santana pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Billy Wagner went on to pitch a perfect ninth inning for his tenth save. Cody Ross had a nice game for the Florida Marlins, going two for four with a home run and two RBI. Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez is expected to return to the rotation next week in San Francisco.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?