MLB Wrap: Castro sensational in Cubs' victory over Reds

CINCINNATI — Starlin Castro got awakened by a call to the majors on Friday and arrived in style, hitting a three-run homer in his first at-bat and driving in a record six runs during the Chicago Cubs' 14-7 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The 20-year-old became the youngest shortstop in Cubs history when he stepped onto the field. Then, he became a sensation. His homer off Homer Bailey (0-2) made him the sixth player in Cubs history to connect in his first at-bat. He added a bases-loaded triple, sliding headfirst into the record books with six RBIs, the most ever in a modern day debut — one more than the previous mark shared by four players. Carlos Silva (3-0) struggled in the win. Phillies 7, Braves 0 In Philadelphia, Forty-seven-year-old Jamie Moyer tossed a two-hitter to become the oldest player in major league history to throw a shutout, and the Phillies beat Atlanta. The Phillies confirmed the feat by Moyer, who accomplished it at 47 years, 170 days old. Phil Niekro was the previous oldest at 46 years, 188 days when he tossed a four-hitter for the New York Yankees against Toronto on Oct. 6, 1986. Moyer (4-2) struck out five and faced one batter over the minimum to earn his 262nd career victory. He allowed leadoff singles to Troy Glaus in the second and eighth innings. He recorded his 10th career shutout and 32nd complete game. Derek Lowe (4-3) allowed seven runs and 11 hits in five innings for the Braves. Mets 6, Giants 4 In New York, Rookie Ike Davis and Rod Barajas both homered twice, with Barajas hitting his second of the night in the ninth inning to give the Mets their eighth straight home win. Davis hit solo homers in the second and fourth innings for the first multihomer game of his major league career and did a 360 degree flip into the dugout to catch a foul ball to end the top of the ninth with runners at the corners. Davis also started the winning rally, walking with one out in the bottom of the ninth against Sergio Romo (0-3). Barajas then hit a high drive down the left-field line for his ninth homer this season. Francisco Rodriguez (2-0) was handed a 4-3 lead in the ninth but allowed a tying solo homer to pinch-hitter John Bowker with one out. Marlins 4, Nationals 2 In Washington, Gaby Sanchez hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and Florida snapped a three-game skid. Pinch-hitter Bryan Petersen singled in his major league debut, starting the decisive rally against Brian Bruney (1-2). Petersen moved to second when Bruney fumbled Chris Coghlan's bunt attempt for an error and Sanchez followed with a looper to right-center, breaking a 2-all tie. After an intentional walk to Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu's sacrifice fly made it 4-2. Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad (3-2) went seven innings, yielding four hits and two runs. He walked two and struck out four. Cardinals 4, Pirates 3 In Pittsburgh, Yadier Molina doubled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning with his fourth hit, and St. Louis took advantage of several Pittsburgh defensive lapses and a key baserunning mistake to beat the Pirates. Joe Mather, pinch running in the ninth after Matt Holliday singled off Evan Meek (1-1) for his fourth hit, arrived well behind the throw as he tried to steal second on a pitchout, but managed to sneak his right hand in ahead of Aki Iwamura's tag. Molina followed with his double to the right-field wall. Ryan Franklin (2-0) got the final four outs for the victory despite throwing a tying wild pitch in a wild eighth inning, when five of the Pirates' six batters reached base but only one scored. Dodgers 6, Rockies 5 In Los Angeles, Matt Kemp tripled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, ending a 14-game RBI drought and lifting the Dodgers over Colorado. It was Kemp's first RBI since a two-run home run at Cincinnati on April 21, when he scored a career high-tying four runs. Jeff Weaver (1-1) pitched one-third of an inning with a walk to earn the victory hours after being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after missing 14 games with a low back strain. Jonathan Broxton put the tying run on with a leadoff single to Carlos Gonzalez in the ninth. Gonzalez was thrown out trying to steal second, then Broxton struck out Ian Stewart and pinch- hitter Jason Giambi to earn his second save in four chances. Matt Daley (0-1) was the loser. Brewers 3, Diamondbacks 2 In Phoenix, Yovani Gallardo continued his strikeout tear with 10 in five innings and Rickie Weeks and Jim Edmonds homered for Milwaukee. Ryan Braun scored the tiebreaking run on a wild pitch in the fifth inning. Gallardo (4-2), who struck out five in a row at one point, has reached double digits in strikeouts in three of his last four starts. He allowed three hits in his fourth straight win but walked Adam LaRoche with the bases loaded. Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth inning for his fifth save in nine attempts. Edwin Jackson (1-4) dropped his third straight decision after allowing three runs in seven innings. Padres 7, Astros 0 In Houston, Mat Latos struck out a career-high nine in eight shutout innings and Scott Hairston homered twice for San Diego. Latos (2-3) allowed only two hits without a walk, and also drove in a run for the Padres, who snapped a five-game losing streak at Minute Maid Park. Chase Headley hit a two-run homer and Ryan Webb pitched a scoreless ninth for the Padres. Houston starter Bud Norris (1-4) struck out seven, but otherwise struggled in four innings, giving up four runs on five hits. Yankees 10, Red Sox 3 In Boston, Nick Swisher hit a three-run homer before the New York Yankees added six runs while absorbing more bruises in a wild sixth inning that carried them to a 10-3 win over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. The Yankees have won their last five games by a combined score of 37-12. Phil Hughes (4-0) allowed seven hits and two runs in seven innings. Josh Beckett (1-1) gave up nine runs in 5 1-3 innings and knocked Robinson Cano out of the game when he hit him on the left knee in the sixth. He also plunked Derek Jeter in the back in that inning and even hit his own catcher, Jason Varitek, with a pitch that forced him out of the game with a left forearm contusion. Jeter played in his 2,165th game for the Yankees, breaking a tie with Lou Gehrig for second place in club history. Mickey Mantle is first with 2,401. Rangers 4, Royals 1 In Arlington, Texas, C.J. Wilson pitched his second complete game and Vladimir Guerrero homered again to lead Texas to a victory over Kansas City and keep AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke winless in 2010. Guerrero homered on the first pitch leading off the second, his third consecutive at-bat over two games with a home run. That put the Rangers ahead to stay against Greinke (0-4), the right-hander who made his seventh start of the season. Wilson (3-1), the converted reliever who earned a spot in the rotation this spring, allowed only five singles in his first career nine-inning complete game. Blue Jays 7, White Sox 4 (12 innings) In Chicago, Alex Gonzalez hit the tiebreaking three-run homer in the 12th inning, John Buck went deep twice and Toronto won its sixth straight. Gonzalez's shot off J.J. Putz (0-2) came after Vernon Wells walked with two outs and Lyle Overbay singled. He then drove a 1-2 fastball down the middle about 10 rows deep in left field for his ninth homer. That made a winner of Scott Downs (1-3), who pitched two scoreless innings on a night when there was no shortage of drama. Angels 8, Mariners 0 In Seattle, Jered Weaver kept the Seattle Mariners hitless into the seventh inning and the Angels ended a seven-game losing streak. Weaver (4-1) held the first 22 Mariners hitless until 40-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. sent an 0-1 fastball bouncing through the infield past first baseman Kendry Morales for a single with two outs in the seventh. Weaver allowed one other hit in his 7 1-3 innings. Morales had a three-run double in the first. Juan Rivera, Howie Kendrick and Ryan Budde homered off Felix Hernandez (2-3) in a four-run fourth for the Angels. Rays 4, Athletics 1 In Oakland, Calif., David Price scattered three hits over seven-plus innings, Sean Rodriguez hit a two-run double and Tampa Bay improved its franchise-best start. At 22-7, the Rays are off to the best start to a season since the New York Yankees began 23-6 in 2003. Tampa Bay won its fifth straight, 10th in 12 and improved to 13-1 on the road. Price (4-1) outdueled Gio Gonzalez (3-2), allowing one unearned run while walking four and striking out six in 7 2-3 innings. Gonzalez gave up three runs on three hits over seven innings, walked five and struck out seven. – AP