Orioles End Things on a Good Note

On finishing the trip around the bases after his first walkoff homer in the major leagues, Brian Roberts was mobbed at the plate before absorbing a big hug by Baltimore Manager Lee Mazzilli.

“It felt good,� Mazzilli said, referring to the impromptu embrace and a victory that ended the Orioles’ six-game losing streak.

Roberts homered on Mike Stanton’s first pitch in the 10th inning, and Rafael Palmeiro hit a milestone shot to lead Baltimore past the New York Yankees, 5-4, Tuesday night.

Larry Bigbie also homered for the Orioles, who rallied from a three-run deficit.

“We had a little sense of urgency tonight, more so than in the past week,� Roberts said. “There was more emotion, more excitement, more energy than we’ve had in the past couple days.�

Palmeiro hit his 563rd homer to tie Reggie Jackson for ninth place.

“These are all huge names, the greatest players of all time,� Palmeiro said, cradling the baseball. “Reggie ranks up there on that list.�

Cleveland 12, Boston 8 -- Travis Hafner hit a grand slam off Keith Foulke in a five-run ninth inning, doubled twice and drove in six runs to lead the Indians at Boston.

Jhonny Peralta singled on a 3-and-2 pitch to tie the score at 8-8, and Grady Sizemore and Casey Blake walked. Hafner followed with his 13th homer, driving an 0-and-2 changeup just inside the right-field foul pole for his second career slam.

Minnesota 11, Kansas City 8 -- Shannon Stewart had three hits and three RBIs, including a single that drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning at Minneapolis to help the Twins hand the Royals their eighth consecutive loss.

Chicago 2, Detroit 1 -- Mark Buehrle (10-1) outdueled Nate Robertson to win his ninth straight decision, and Jermaine Dye hit a tiebreaking home run to lead the White Sox at Detroit.

Oakland 8, Seattle 1 -- Marco Scutaro homered and Barry Zito earned the ninth straight win by an Oakland starter, leading the host A’s to their fifth consecutive victory.

Toronto 3, Tampa Bay 1 -- John McDonald broke an 11th-inning tie with an infield hit in a victory at St. Petersburg, Fla.