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Ortiz and Ramirez Do a Bang-Up Job

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From Associated Press

With Boston needing to win to hang on to first place in the American League East, the Red Sox knew they could count on David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

“They’re special to watch,” Kevin Millar said Tuesday night after each slugger homered twice to help Curt Schilling and the defending World Series champions to a 15-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Ortiz hit his AL-leading 45th and 46th homers and drove in four runs. Ramirez had three runs batted in and joined Ortiz, Trot Nixon and Jason Varitek with four hits for the Red Sox, who remained half a game in front of the New York Yankees.

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“The standings don’t mean anything right now,” Millar said. “You fight until the end and see where the chips lay.”

Boston had 21 hits and tied an AL record with four players with four apiece. The Red Sox are the first team to accomplish the feat since Minnesota did it against Cleveland on June 24, 2002.

Schilling (7-8) gave up two runs and six hits, struck out seven and walked one in seven innings to improve to 2-3 in six starts since Aug. 25.

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New York 12, Baltimore 9 -- Gary Sheffield hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, Jorge Posada hit a three-run homer at New York and the Yankees kept the pressure on the Red Sox.

Oriole All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts left in the second inning after his left elbow was dislocated in a collision.

Kansas City 5-4, Detroit 4-2 -- Mike Sweeney’s run-scoring double with two out in the bottom of the ninth won the opener and Zack Greinke pitched seven strong innings in the second game to help the Royals complete the sweep.

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Toronto 6, Seattle 4 -- Vernon Wells and Gregg Zaun homered, and Josh Towers pitched into the seventh inning to lead the Blue Jays at Toronto. Adrian Beltre hit his 19th homer for the Mariners.

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