Swisher’s slam sinks Rangers
Nick Swisher hit a grand slam off Ryan Dempster and drove in five runs, Derek Lowe closed with four shutout innings in his Yankees debut, and host New York beat the Texas Rangers, 8-2, Monday night.
David Phelps, starting in place of injured ace CC Sabathia, picked off two runners and pitched a career-high five innings for the win.
In the opener of a four-game series between the teams with the AL’s best records, the Yankees powered their way to a sixth straight victory over Texas in the Bronx.
Eric Chavez also homered off Dempster (1-1), the Rangers’ recent acquisition.
Dempster matched a season high by giving up eight runs. The other time he surrendered eight was in his first start for Texas Aug. 2. In three starts since coming from the Cubs in a trade-deadline deal, Dempster has given up 19 runs — 16 earned — in 17⅓ innings.
Ichiro Suzuki tripled and Derek Jeter followed with a long RBI double in the seventh to end Dempster’s night.
Swisher added an RBI single in the seventh as New York won for the fifth time in six games.
Phelps (3-3) was being held to a 75-80 pitch limit while making a spot start for Sabathia, who has a sore elbow. Phelps needed 26 pitches in the first without being hit hard. But thanks in part to a nifty pickoff move, he fulfilled his manager’s wish to make it through five innings.
Phelps turned over a 5-2 lead to Lowe in the sixth. Designated for assignment by Cleveland Aug. 2 and released Friday, Lowe signed with the Yankees earlier Monday and made his first appearance since July 31.
Lowe earned his first regular-season save since 2001 while with Boston, shutting down Texas on two hits. He walked none and struck out four.
Lowe went 8-10 with a 5.52 ERA for the Indians this season, and he had an 8.80 ERA in his final 12 starts for Cleveland.
The 39-year-old righthander, a longtime rival of the Yankees while he pitched for the Red Sox, received little notice from the fans when his name was called to start the sixth. After retiring three straight in the seventh, the crowd gave him a loud ovation.
Rays 4, Mariners 1 — Justin Upton hit a two-run homer and Alex Cobb pitched seven strong innings to help visiting Tampa Bay to its season-high seventh consecutive win.
Cobb (7-8) allowed a run and four hits. He struck out five and walked two in his fourth consecutive quality start and third consecutive win.
Fernando Rodney recorded his major league-leading 37th save in 38 tries by pitching a scoreless ninth that extended his club record to 22 consecutive saves.
The Rays have won 10 of their last 12.
Seattle’s Blake Beavan (7-7) pitched six innings, allowing eight hits and four earned runs. Beavan allowed all four runs on five hits in the third inning.
Indians 6, Angels 2 — Justin Masterson pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and Cleveland bounced back from its most lopsided loss of the season to beat sputtering Los Angeles in the opener of a 10-game road trip. Brent Lillibridge homered off All-Star lefty C.J. Wilson (9-9), who dropped his fifth straight decision.
Blue Jays 3, White Sox 2 — David Cooper singled home the winning run in the 11th inning as Toronto won at home.
Chicago’s Adam Dunn hit two home runs, including a game-tying shot in the ninth inning, boosting his major league-leading total to 33.
Phillies 4, Marlins 0 — Cole Hamels pitched his second consecutive shutout for Philadelphia in a win over host Miami.
Hamels, coming off a five-hitter against Atlanta last Tuesday, scattered seven hits and struck out five in his sixth career shutout and 12th complete game.
Cubs 7, Astros 1 — Jeff Samardzija struck out a career high-tying 11 in seven innings and host Chicago beat Houston.
Darwin Barney and Alfonso Soriano hit two-run homers and Anthony Rizzo had four hits for the Cubs.
Twins 9, Tigers 3 — In Minneapolis, Darin Mastroianni and Ryan Doumit each homered and drove in three runs and Minnesota snapped a four-game losing streak.
Dodgers 5, Pirates 4 — Shane Victorino hit his 10th homer of the season and drove in three runs to lift visiting Los Angeles.
Padres 4, Braves 1 — Eric Stults combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, Chase Headley homered and drove in two runs, and San Diego beat host Atlanta.
Rockies 9, Brewers 6 — DJ LeMahieu had a career-best four hits, Jeff Francis pitched effectively into the sixth inning, and host Colorado beat Milwaukee.
Nationals 14, Giants 2 — Kurt Suzuki drove in four runs, Danny Espinosa and Roger Bernadina each knocked in three, and Washington routed San Francisco in a matchup of NL division leaders.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com