Indians’ 19-1 Win Shows Who’s Boss

George Steinbrenner’s 76th birthday was a big bash all right.

Victor Martinez was five for six and Jhonny Peralta and Travis Hafner each hit two of Cleveland’s six home runs, powering the host Indians to a 19-1 rout of New York on Tuesday night to spoil the Yankees owner’s Fourth of July birthday.

Cleveland’s lopsided win was its largest at home since a 21-2 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics on June 18, 1950.

“1950?” asked Indians starter Jake Westbrook. “That’s amazing.”

Martinez and Peralta connected for two-run homers in the first inning against Shawn Chacon (4-3) for the Indians, who scored nine times in the fifth inning and have won four straight for the first time since May 16-19.

Cleveland’s holiday display of firepower backed Westbrook (7-4), who didn’t give up an earned run in seven innings. The right-hander gave up five hits, walked three, struck out three and got 14 of 21 outs on grounders.

Ronnie Belliard homered and had four runs batted in, and All-Star Grady Sizemore had three of Cleveland’s season-high 21 hits.

“I didn’t have anything, I was garbage,” Chacon said. “When I tried to put a guy away, the pitch was up in the zone.”

Kansas City 7, Minnesota 2 -- David DeJesus homered in a four-run fourth inning, and Mark Grudzielanek had two doubles and scored two runs as the host Royals ended the Twins’ winning streak at 11 games.

DeJesus is batting .490 during an 11-game hitting streak. The Royals (28-54) are 17-17 since DeJesus returned from the disabled list May 29.

Oakland 2, Detroit 1 -- Jay Payton lined a single to right with two out in the 10th inning to drive home Bobby Crosby as the Athletics beat the visiting Tigers for the second straight game.

Fernando Rodney (4-3) walked Crosby with one out, struck out Eric Chavez and then walked Frank Thomas to bring up Payton, who had two runs batted in a day after hitting his 100th home run.

Tampa Bay 9, Boston 6 -- Ty Wigginton homered for the third time in two games, connecting against Curt Schilling to end a seventh-inning tie and help the Devil Rays beat the Red Sox at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Julio Lugo and Jonny Gomes also went deep for Tampa Bay, which hit three homers Monday to beat Josh Beckett, Boston’s other 10-game winner.

Chicago 13, Baltimore 0 -- Jose Contreras easily won his 17th straight decision, and Juan Uribe hit a three-run home run and drove in five runs for the host White Sox.

Contreras, who is 9-0 this season, gave up six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out three and did not have a walk.

Toronto 3, Texas 2 -- Roy Halladay pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings, and Russ Adams and Eric Hinske homered for the visiting Blue Jays.