Blue Jays Win, Thanks to Phelps

Josh Phelps earned more playing time with a career game.

Phelps homered twice, including a grand slam, and drove in a career-high seven runs Wednesday night to lead the Blue Jays over the struggling Seattle Mariners, 12-4, at Toronto.

Blue Jay Manager Carlos Tosca said Phelps would start today even though Toronto will face a right-hander. Phelps started the season as the everyday designated hitter but now starts only against left-handers because of his struggles.

“Hopefully, this gives him a boost of confidence. Maybe he’ll start to get himself back in there on a regular basis,” Tosca said.

The second grand slam of Phelps’ career came against Julio Mateo in the sixth inning and landed three rows into the fifth deck at SkyDome, only the 11th time a ball has reached the uppermost tier. Phelps also hit a two-run homer off Travis Blackley (1-1) in the fifth and added an RBI double in the seventh.

Boston 11, Oakland 3 -- Pedro Martinez (9-3) pitched seven strong innings at Boston to win his fifth consecutive decision. Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez and Mark Bellhorn homered, letting Martinez coast in his final start before the All-Star break.

Detroit 10, New York 8 -- The Tigers left New York with a series win over the Yankees for the first time in seven years as Carlos Guillen had three hits, including a three-run homer, and the Tigers pounded rookie Brad Halsey.

Halsey (1-2) gave up seven runs -- five earned -- and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Minnesota 12, Kansas City 0 -- At Minneapolis, Kyle Lohse threw the Twins’ team-record third complete-game shutout in a row.

Lohse’s six-hitter came after Brad Radke tossed a four-hitter and Johan Santana turned in a three-hitter to start the series.

Tampa Bay 13, Baltimore 3 -- Rob Bell took a two-hitter into the eighth inning, and Toby Hall and Damian Rolls had three RBIs at Baltimore.

Texas 9, Cleveland 8 -- Gary Matthews Jr. and Mark Teixeira each hit two-run homers in the seventh inning as the Rangers rallied to win at Cleveland. Alfonso Soriano and Brad Fullmer hit solo shots for the Rangers, who lead the majors with 126 home runs.