Loaiza Helps A’s Extend Win Streak
Esteban Loaiza put aside his legal troubles long enough to pitch the Oakland Athletics to their seventh consecutive victory.
Loaiza earned a win Thursday after spending one night in jail this week, and the A’s beat the Seattle Mariners, 9-6, behind Dan Johnson’s big performance at the plate at Oakland.
Johnson matched career highs with four hits and four RBIs to help the A’s sweep the Mariners for the second time this season. Loaiza, who spent Tuesday night in jail on suspicion of drunk driving, got through six innings.
“I was thinking about a lot of stuff, but when I got to the ballpark I just wanted to stay positive,” Loaiza said. “I can’t say much but I can say I’m sorry for what I’ve done for my teammates, for the Oakland Athletics, Major League Baseball and the fans.”
Loaiza faces drunk driving and speeding charges after police clocked his Ferrari exceeding 120 mph on a freeway near San Lorenzo. He was jailed early Wednesday after he failed a sobriety test, California Highway Patrol spokesman Mike Wright said. He was released later that day and is scheduled to appear in court July 14.
Cleveland 8, New York 4 -- Todd Hollandsworth ended an 0-for-19 slump with an RBI double and a three-run homer, and the Indians avoided a three-game sweep. Cleveland, which improved to 3-14 at Yankee Stadium since the start of 2002, won for the fourth time in 12 games.
Chicago 8, Texas 2 -- Mark Buehrle pitched eight strong innings at Arlington, Texas, to win for the first time since May 24. Buehrle retired 12 in a row from the second through the sixth before Ian Kinsler’s one-out single.
Minnesota 5, Boston 3 -- Carlos Silva pitched six-plus shutout innings and the Twins completed a three-game sweep at Minneapolis. It was their first sweep of the Red Sox since 1994.
Detroit 6, Tampa Bay 2 -- Rookie Zach Miner yielded three hits and two unearned runs in seven innings at Detroit, helping the Tigers (43-24) match their 2003 win total.
Toronto 4, Baltimore 2 -- Ted Lilly pitched six scoreless innings at Toronto to lead the Blue Jays, who tied a season high by winning their third in a row. Lilly won for the first time in four starts.
