Wells Can’t Finish but Is Still Strong

Denied the opportunity to complete his first shutout in two years, David Wells settled for a victory in which he extended his run of scoreless innings to 15.

Wells gave up three hits in eight innings, and the Boston Red Sox got a three-run homer from Jason Varitek in an 8-0 rout of the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night at Baltimore.

Wells (2-2), who struck out five and walked one, was vying for his 13th career shutout, the first in 63 starts since he blanked Minnesota for the New York Yankees in April 2003.

“I could have gone. I wanted to. I just felt good,” he said. “But it became a long inning and I stiffened up a little.”

Baltimore’s Brian Roberts was hitless in three at-bats with a walk, ending a 14-game hitting streak. It was also the first time in 10 games that the Orioles failed to hit a home run.

Chicago 9, Detroit 1 -- Joe Crede hit a three-run homer, Jermaine Dye had a two-run homer and Jon Garland pitched eight solid innings for the White Sox at Detroit.

The American League Central-leading White Sox (11-4) are off to their best 15-game start since 1981.

New York 11, Toronto 2 -- Carl Pavano (1-2) scattered seven hits over eight innings at Toronto to earn his first victory with the Yankees after signing a four-year, $39.95-million contract in the off-season.

Texas 12, Tampa Bay 10 -- Rod Barajas hit his first career grand slam and Kevin Mench had a bases-loaded triple for the Rangers, who nearly blew an eight-run lead at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Minnesota 5, Kansas City 4 -- Shannon Stewart had an RBI single through a drawn-in infield in the eighth inning to lift the Twins at Minneapolis.

Seattle 7, Oakland 6 -- Greg Dobbs drove in three runs with a pinch-hit double off rookie Huston Street in the seventh inning to lead the Mariners at Seattle.