Maroth Finally Wins a Game

Mike Maroth doesn’t plan on stopping after his long-awaited first win of the season.

Maroth won for the first time in 10 decisions this season, pitching seven strong innings in the Detroit Tigers’ 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

“It only took 11 starts,” he said. “It’s not what I planned on.”

Maroth (1-9) gave up three hits, two walks and struck out three to end an 11-game losing streak. He won for the first time since Sept. 16, 2002, against Kansas City.

“It’s good to get the monkey off the back, so to speak. I’m going to really enjoy it,” he said. “I’ve got to plan on putting up Ws. I just can’t settle for one.”

Although he had yet to record a win, Maroth had several strong outings before Friday. He took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against Baltimore on May 1 before giving up four earned runs and taking the loss.

Toronto 6, New York 2 -- Kelvim Escobar outpitched Mike Mussina and the Blue Jays sent the banged-up Yankees to their fifth consecutive home loss and ninth in their last 10 at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees played without two of their top hitters. All-Star center fielder Bernie Williams was put on the 15-day disabled list because of torn cartilage in his left knee -- he’s expected to miss four to six weeks -- and shortstop Derek Jeter was scratched before the game because of mild stiffness in his left hamstring.

Boston 9, Cleveland 2 -- Derek Lowe pitched a four-hitter for his first complete game of the season and Nomar Garciaparra extended his hitting streak to 23 games at Boston for the Red Sox, who moved into first place in the AL East by a half-game after the Yankee loss.

Oakland 4, Kansas City 1 -- Mark Mulder fell one out short of his third shutout, pitching an eight-hitter to lead the Athletics at Oakland.

Mulder (7-2) held the Royals scoreless until Brent Mayne’s RBI groundout with one out in the ninth inning before finishing his major league-leading fifth complete game.

Seattle 5, Minnesota 2 -- Mark McLemore homered, Jamie Moyer got his seventh victory and Mike Cameron made two highlight-reel defensive plays, including a catch to rob Torii Hunter of a home run in the Mariner victory at Seattle.

Texas 5, Baltimore 3 -- Rafael Palmeiro homered and drove in three runs at Arlington, Texas, to lead the Rangers to their season-high seventh consecutive victory.