Gil’s Home Runs Power Baltimore

On a night when Frank Castillo had his worst game this season, Geronimo Gil had the best one of his career.

Gil hit two home runs and drove in three runs, and the Baltimore Orioles ended the Boston Red Sox’s winning streak at six with a 7-5 victory Tuesday at Baltimore.

The Red Sox also lost for the first time in nine road games. Castillo and two Boston relievers gave up 12 hits--five for extra bases--to a team that had a major league-low .221 batting average.

Castillo (1-1) gave up five runs and six hits in 31/3 innings.

“I just didn’t feel comfortable out there,” Castillo said. “For me, you’ve got to have command. I didn’t really get in a rhythm. I kept falling behind and had to come in.”

Gil hit solo drives in the second and fourth innings against Castillo, and he had a run-scoring single against Rolando Arrojo in the fifth.

Gil, a rookie who was nearly scratched because of a sore left hand, came in with a .174 batting average and one home run in 104 at-bats before the game.

“The hand was hurting when I came to the ballpark, but it felt OK swinging and I wanted to play,” Gil said.

Chicago 5, Cleveland 1--Todd Ritchie (2-1) was dominant and the White Sox handed the Indians their first home loss this season.

Ritchie gave up three hits--one a home run by Jim Thome--and struck out a season-high eight in his longest outing this year.

Carlos Lee had a run-scoring single against starter Bartolo Colon (3-2), and Paul Konerko and Mark Johnson each drove in runs in the eighth when Chicago scored twice and opened a 4-1 lead.

Detroit 3, Kansas City 0--Jeff Weaver pitched a five-hitter for his first career shutout, and Randall Simon hit a three-run home run at Kansas City, Mo.

Weaver (1-3) struck out two and walked one. The right-hander had five complete games last season--all losses.

Simon hit a 2-and-1 pitch by Jeff Suppan (1-3) in the third inning for his fifth home run.

It was the fourth time the Royals have been shut out this season, the most in the AL. It was the Tigers’ first complete-game victory since Steve Sparks beat Kansas City, 2-1, on Oct. 6.

Tampa Bay 6, Minnesota 4--Steve Cox homered and Randy Winn hit a two-run single for the Devil Rays at St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Devil Rays beat the AL Central leaders for the eighth consecutive time at Tropicana Field.

Cox’s solo homer against Brad Radke (2-2) broke a 3-3 tie in the third inning.

Joe Kennedy (1-1) gave up three runs on six hits in five innings. Esteban Yan earned his fourth save in as many opportunities.

Toronto 2, Texas 1--Eric Hinske had a run-scoring double and scored Toronto’s other run at Arlington, Texas.

Brandon Lyon (1-2) pitched 61/3 innings and Kelvim Escobar got four out for his third save in four chances.