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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, July 26, 2009

Victorino 4 for 4 in Phillies' 14-6 win


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Philadelphia's Shane Victorino, a St. Anthony High alum from Maui, crosses home plate in front of St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina after his solo homer in the sixth inning.

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST | Associated Press

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PHILADELPHIA — Jimmy Rollins was hidden behind a throng of reporters and cameras when Shane Victorino entered the clubhouse.

"Can you stand up and talk? I can't see you," said Victorino, only an inch taller than the 5-foot-8 Rollins.

For a little guy, Rollins can drive the ball a long way.

Rollins hit a go-ahead grand slam and had a career-high five RBIs, Maui's Victorino went 4 for 4 with a homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 14-6, yesterday in a matchup of division leaders.

"Shane's had a great year. It's a testament to his teacher," Rollins said, taking some credit for Victorino's success.

Philadlephia's Rodrigo Lopez (3-0) allowed four runs — three earned — and 10 hits in six innings. The veteran right-hander likely would be the odd man out when recently signed Pedro Martinez is ready to join the Phillies' rotation.

Rollins connected off reliever Jason Motte (3-4) in the sixth to give Philadelphia a 7-4 lead. Victorino followed with a homer.

The NL East-leading Phillies have won 16 of 19.

Rollins, batting just .237, lined an RBI double in the eighth. Victorino followed with a two-run single and Ryan Howard doubled in two more to make it 14-5.

BREWERS 4, BRAVES 0:

Yovani Gallardo scattered four hits in 7 1/3 scoreless innings and drove in the only run host Milwaukee needed off previously unbeaten Tommy Hanson. The RBI single by Gallardo (9-7) ended a scoreless game in the fifth. Hanson (5-1) came in looking for the best start by a Braves rookie since Larry McWilliams won his first seven decisions in 1978.

NATIONALS 13, PADRES 1:

Adam Dunn's grand slam capped a five-run second inning after a rain delay of more than three hours and host Washington beat San Diego. Dunn finished with five RBIs, Ryan Zimmerman homered and drove in three runs and Nyjer Morgan equaled a career high with four hits.

CUBS 5, REDS 3:

Aramis Ramirez hit his second homer in two days and host Chicago beat Cincinnati for its ninth victory in 12 games. Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley added solo shots to back a strong start by Kevin Hart (2-1), who allowed one run over six innings.

METS 10, ASTROS 3:

Jeff Francoeur hit a three-run homer, David Wright added a solo shot and visiting New York beat Houston. Omir Santos also homered and touted prospect Jonathon Niese (1-0), just recalled from the minors, allowed four hits and a run in seven innings.

ROCKIES 8, GIANTS 2:

Troy Tulowitzki homered and drove in a career-high five runs and Jorge De La Rosa won his career-best sixth straight start for host Colorado. De La Rosa (8-7) allowed one run on seven hits over 7 1/3 innings with no walks and seven strikeouts.

DIAMONDBACKS 7, PIRATES 0:

Justin Upton homered and drove in three runs, and Doug Davis pitched six sharp innings in host Arizona's victory over Pittsburgh. Davis (5-10) gave up five hits and walked three while tying a season high with eight strikeouts.

DODGERS 4, MARLINS 3:

Casey Blake blooped a bases-loaded single with two outs in the ninth inning, and host Los Angeles beat Florida. Blake dropped his hit into shallow right-center against Luis Ayala, scoring Rafael Furcal.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ANGELS 11, TWINS 5:

Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis homered during a nine-run fourth inning and host Los Angeles extended its winning streak to a season-high eight games. Matt Palmer (8-1) allowed two runs and four hits in five innings for the victory.

RAYS 10, BLUE JAYS 9:

Jason Bartlett hit an RBI double in the 12th inning, capping the biggest comeback in Tampa Bay history, and the visiting Rays erased an eight-run deficit to beat Toronto. Down 8-0 after four, Tampa Bay cut it to 9-7 heading into the ninth. The AL champions tied it on solo homers by Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar.

INDIANS 10, MARINERS 3:

Asdrubal Cabrera homered, drove in two runs and scored three times to back a strong start by Jeremy Sowers as visiting Cleveland beat Seattle. Sowers (3-7), recalled from Triple-A before the game, held the Mariners scoreless over seven innings, allowing four hits.

ATHLETICS 6, YANKEES 4:

Gio Gonzalez (2-2) pitched two-hit ball into the seventh, and Landon Powell and Orlando Cabrera each drove in a pair during a six-run seventh as visiting Oakland snapped New York's eight-game winning streak.

RED SOX 7, ORIOLES 2:

David Ortiz jump-started host Boston's sluggish offense with a three-run homer, Adam LaRoche added a two-run shot in his Red Sox debut and Jon Lester pitched into the eighth inning. Lester (9-7) gave up two runs in 7 1/3 innings.

TIGERS 4, WHITE SOX 3:

Carlos Guillen's RBI single in the 10th gave host Detroit a victory over Chicago. Clete Thomas led off the 10th with a single off D.J. Carrasco (3-1) and went to second on Miguel Cabrera's base hit. Guillen then chopped a ball up the middle that barely eluded shortstop Alexi Ramirez.

ROYALS 6, RANGERS 3:

Luke Hochevar struck out a career-high 13 in seven innings and closer Joakim Soria earned a rare six-out save, helping host Kansas City beat Texas to end a 10-game losing streak. Hochevar (6-3) had the second-most strikeouts in team history.