Cubs lose at Fenway Park

BOSTON — The Chicago Cubs stumbled their way around Fenway Park's unfamiliar surroundings on Friday night as one would expect of a team that hadn't been in the ballpark in 93 years.

Gunned down: Minnesota shortstop Trevor Plouffe waits to apply the tag on Arizona's Willie Bloomquist as he tries to steal second base in the first inning on Friday. The Diamondbacks beat the Twins 8-7. AP PHOTO

Returning to Boston to play the Red Sox for the first time since the 1918 World Series, the Cubs committed four errors and gave up 19 hits in a 15-5 Red Sox victory. If the Cubs' pitchers had forgotten in all that time how close the Green Monster is to home plate, they know now after Boston had six doubles and hit two home runs over Fenway's famous left-field wall.

"All those flyballs," said Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who misplayed a line drive into an error. "A routine flyball can go off the wall. We're professionals. We need to make adjustments and play the wall."

Adrian Gonzalez had four hits with four RBIs, Kevin Youkilis had two doubles and a two-run homer and Jacoby Ellsbury also had three hits as Boston won its seventh consecutive game. The Red Sox are 22-10 since losing 10 of their first 12 games; they have passed the New York Yankees for the first time this season, and now trail the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays by just a half-game.

"That's where we want to be," said Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who had two hits, including a homer. "We know we've got a great team. There's no reason why we shouldn't be in first place right now. We want to be in first place and stay in first place the whole year."

Jon Lester (6-1) won his sixth straight decision despite giving up a career-high 12 hits. He allowed five runs, two walks and a hit batter, striking out five. Scott Atchison earned his first career save with three innings of scoreless relief.

Jeff Baker had four hits and Aramis Ramirez three for Chicago, which was coming off a two-game sweep of the Florida Marlins. Doug Davis (0-2) gave up seven runs on eight hits and three walks, striking out three in 3? innings.

It was the Cubs' first visit to Fenway Park since the 1918 World Series, a milestone that for decades reminded Boston fans of the franchise's failure but now stands as a landmark only for Chicago as it seeks its first championship since 1908.

"(This) put an end to my enthusiasm for this momentous occasion," Cubs manager Mike Quade said. "They're tough. I feel really good about us offensively and we're doing a good job against left-handed starters. But, four errors isn't going to get it done."

Nationals 17, Orioles 5

In Baltimore, Danny Espinosa homered and drove in five runs, Jayson Werth hit two homers and had four RBIs, and the Nationals had their biggest offensive outing since moving to Washington.

Phillies 3, Rangers 2

In Philadelphia, Ben Francisco and Raul Ibanez homered, and Roy Halladay threw eight strong innings.

Mets 2, Yankees 1

In New York, R.A. Dickey (2-5) regained command of his knuckleball and confounded the Yankees for six innings, Daniel Murphy homered and a youthful Mets lineup won the Subway Series opener in front of a surprisingly lackluster New York crowd.

Astros 5, Blue Jays 2

In Toronto, Chris Johnson hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Astros rallied to beat the Blue Jays.

Marlins 5, Rays 3

In Miami, Logan Morrison hit a game-tying homer in the fourth inning and doubled in the Marlins' two-run eighth to help them beat Tampa Bay.

Pirates 10, Tigers 1

In Pittsburgh, Neil Walker homered and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Pirates past the Tigers.

Royals 3, Cardinals 0

In Kansas City, Jeff Francis threw 7? innings, outdueling Chris Carpenter.

Indians 5, Reds 4

In Cleveland, rookie pinch hitter Ezequiel Carrera bunted home Choo Shin Soo from third base with two outs in the eighth inning, sending the Indians past the Reds in the Ohio Showdown's series opener.

Mariners 4, Padres 1

In San Diego, Erik Bedard struck out nine and allowed three singles in eight innings, and Miguel Olivo homered to lead the Mariners to a win over the punchless Padres.

Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 for the Mariners.

Dodgers 6, White Sox 4 (10)

In Chicago, Russell Mitchell tied the game with a two-out homer in the ninth inning, and Juan Castro had the go-ahead single in a three-run 10th.

Diamondbacks 8, Twins 7

In Phoenix, Ryan Roberts doubled in three runs and the Diamondbacks held off a ninth-inning comeback to beat the Twins for their fourth win in a row and sixth in seven games.

Angels 9, Braves 0

In Anaheim, Ervin Santana pitched a four-hitter for his sixth career shutout and the Angels welcomed former Oakland nemesis Tim Hudson back to the Big A for the first time in almost seven years with a six-run third inning that carried them to a rout of the Braves.

Giants 2, Athletics 1 (10)

In San Francisco, Aubrey Huff hit a game-ending single in the bottom of the 10th inning, giving the Giants victory over the cross-bay rival Athletics.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers 7, Rockies 6 (14)

In Milwaukee, Prince Fielder hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 14th inning.

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