Garciaparra Has a Happy Birthday

Nomar Garciaparra found a unique way to celebrate his 29th birthday: with three home runs in one game.

Garciaparra connected three times--giving him a record-tying five home runs in two games--and had eight runs batted in to lead the Boston Red Sox over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 22-4, Tuesday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader at Boston.

The Devil Rays salvaged the day by rallying for five runs in the ninth inning and a 5-4 second-game victory. Jared Sandberg hit a three-run homer off Ugueth Urbina (0-6) to spoil a strong outing by Boston starter Derek Lowe.

But it was Garciaparra’s performance in the opener that highlighted the day.

“You don’t see days like this coming,” Garciaparra said after the opener. “You never say, ‘I feel good. I’m going to hit three.’ ”

Garciaparra, 29, became the first major leaguer to have a three home-run game on his birthday.

“It was just good timing,” said Garciaparra, who was one for five in the nightcap.

Garciaparra homered off Tanyon Sturtze (1-10) and Brandon Backe in a 10-run third inning, then hit a grand slam in the fourth off Backe.

Garciaparra homered twice Sunday at New York. It was the 26th time a player had hit five homers in two games.

Boston, 9-1 against Tampa Bay this season, hit seven homers in the opener.

Seattle 4, Texas 1--John Olerud hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning at Seattle.

A key error by 10-time Gold Glove catcher Ivan Rodriguez helped the AL West-leading Mariners score three times in the eighth.

With one out, Jeff Cirillo hit a high pop in foul territory in front of the Mariner dugout.

But the ball bounced out of Rodriguez’s mitt and, given another chance, Cirillo singled off Jay Powell (2-2).

Chicago 8, Minnesota 7--Frank Thomas hit the longest homer in new Comiskey Park history--a shot estimated at 495 feet--as the White Sox ended Minnesota’s six-game win streak.

Thomas’ two-run drive in the fourth inning cleared the left-field bleachers. Magglio Ordonez and Aaron Rowand also homered for the White Sox.

Mark Buehrle (13-7) was staked to an 8-1 lead and left with the victory after giving up 10 hits and six runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Antonio Osuna came in to get the last out for his seventh save.

Cleveland 9, New York 3--Danys Baez lost his shutout bid in the ninth inning at Cleveland but led the Indians to a win over the Yankees, who also lost All-Star catcher Jorge Posada to a freak injury.

Posada was cut on the left ear when struck by Milton Bradley’s backswing in the fifth inning.

Posada, who didn’t lose consciousness, was taken to a hospital for stitches.

In the seventh inning, Bradley, this time batting left-handed, also hit substitute catcher Chris Widger on the helmet with his bat. Widger was not injured.

Detroit 10, Kansas City 1--Mark Redman pitched eight impressive innings and Wendell Magee drove in four runs at Detroit.

The Tigers set season highs for runs and hits. Magee, Randall Simon, Shane Halter and Brandon Inge each had three of Detroit’s 19 hits.

Raul Ibanez singled home the Royals’ run in the seventh, giving him 17 RBIs in 10 games.

Toronto at Baltimore, ppd. rain--The game will be made up Aug. 24 as the first part of a day-night doubleheader.