Mariners Are Beaten in Ninth

John Valentin drove in the go-ahead run with a ninth-inning single Monday night as the Boston Red Sox overcame two home runs by Ken Griffey Jr. for a 9-8 victory over the Mariners at Seattle.

The loss reduced the Mariners’ AL West lead over the second-place Angels to two games.

Griffey hit his major-league leading 42nd and 43rd homers, but the Mariner bullpen again could not get the job done. Norm Charlton and Heathcliff Slocumb (0-8) blew save opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings, giving the bullpen 20 blown saves this year.

In the ninth, Jeff Frye drew a leadoff walk from Slocumb and Darren Bragg sacrificed. Nomar Garciaparra was intentionally walked and Valentin, who went 4 for 6 and extended his hitting streak to 15 games, singled to left.

Joe Hudson (3-0) got the victory in relief and converted starter Tom Gordon pitched the ninth for his third save in three chances.

Garciaparra set an American League rookie record by extending his hitting streak to 27 games.

Seattle Manager Lou Piniella was ejected by plate umpire John Hirschbeck in the seventh for arguing a close play at home.

Milwaukee 7, Texas, 2--Milwaukee Manager Phil Garner is happy his Brewers are back at .500, and not because his team is only 3 1/2 games behind first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.

“It’s been an objective for us since the start of spring training,” Garner said after the Brewers defeated the Rangers behind Julio Franco’s two-run homer at Milwaukee.

Milwaukee (65-65), at .500 for the first time since Aug. 5, has won three consecutive games and eight of 11 to close in on the Indians.

Joel Adamson (4-2), who started in place of injured Bryce Florie, gave up two runs and four hits in six innings, striking out seven to tie his career high.

Detroit 7, Minnesota 6--Brian Hunter’s run-scoring single in the 12th inning off Rick Aguilera gave the Tigers a victory at Minneapolis as the Twins lost for the 14th time in 15 games.

Minnesota’s Paul Molitor had two hits and moved into 14th place on the career hits list with 3,144. Molitor, who passed Robin Yount (3,142) is just behind Paul Waner (3,152) and George Brett (3,154).

Brad Radke, attempting to become the second 18-game winner in the major leagues, didn’t get a decision for the first time in 23 starts since April 27.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Ken Griffey Jr.

Team: Seattle

Performance: 3 for 5, 4 RBIS, 2 homers

Team’s Result: Loss

*

Player: Bob Hamelin

Team: Detroit

Performance: 3 for 5, 2 RBIs, double

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Julio Franco

Team: Milwaukee

Performance: 3 for 4, 2 RBIs, home run

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Brent Brede

Team: Minnesota

Performance: 3 for 3, 3 RBIs, first career homer

Team’s Result: Loss

PITCHING

Player: Joel Adamson

Team: Milwaukee

Performance: 6 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 7 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: A.J. Sager

Team: Detroit

Performance: 2 innings relief, 0 hits, 0 runs

Team’s Result: Win