Mariners Get Boost From Martinez, 7-4

Edgar Martinez, back in Seattle’s starting lineup for the first time since April 11, homered and drove in three runs to lead the Mariners over the Oakland Athletics, 7-4, Thursday night at Seattle.

The popular designated hitter got a standing ovation from the crowd of 42,159 in the first inning and hit his first home run of the season against Barry Zito in the third. Martinez had a two-run single in his first start since rupturing a tendon behind his left knee in Seattle’s 10th game of the season.

The 39-year-old slugger had surgery April 13 to remove the ruptured tendon, and was activated from the disabled list June 14.

The Mariners used him as a pinch-hitter on their recent road trip to National League cities, but he tore scar tissue in his left leg last Thursday in Cincinnati and had not played since.

Defeating the A’s for the third night in a row, the Mariners ended Zito’s personal nine-game winning streak and handed him his first loss since April 30.

New York 3, Baltimore 2--Jason Giambi homered twice and drove in three runs as the Yankees averted a sweep at Baltimore by ending the Orioles’ four-game winning streak.

David Wells (8-5) gave up six hits over 6 2/3 innings for the Yankees, who lost the first two games of the series. Wells, 1-4 in his previous five starts, gave up two runs--one earned--struck out five and walked one.

Chicago 7, Minnesota 4--Ray Durham hit a three-run homer, Paul Konerko went four for five with a home run and the White Sox won at Minneapolis to gain a split of the four-game series.

Torii Hunter had two hits and drove in a run for Minnesota, which leads Chicago in the AL Central by six games. They play 15 more times this season.

Kansas City 5, Detroit 2--Mike Sweeney homered for the third day in a row, leading the Royals to a three-game sweep at Kansas City, Mo.

Sweeney, who took over the AL batting lead from Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki by going three for four Wednesday night, walked twice and wound up one for two to raise his average to .365.

Tampa Bay 6, Toronto 4--Steve Cox hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the seventh inning and the Devil Rays won at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Cleveland at Boston, ppd.--The Indians and Red Sox were rained and no makeup date has been set.