Twins dodge Rangers on third-base coach's interference
Texas third-base coach Dave Anderson was called for interfering with runner Michael Young for the final out yesterday, giving the host Minnesota Twins a 6-5 win over the Rangers.
Down 6-2, the Rangers scored twice in the ninth inning and had the bases loaded with two outs. Vladimir Guerrero grounded an RBI single up the middle that Twins second baseman Orlando Hudson fielded behind the bag. Young, who had been on second, came around third and appeared to tap hands with Anderson before stopping and scrambling back to the bag.
Young dived back into third and appeared to beat Hudson's throw to third baseman Matt Tolbert. But third-base umpire Alfonso Marquez pointed and made the interference call for the third out.
"Bad call by a good umpire," Young said. "Didn't touch Dave. Don't think I was anywhere near Dave."
Anderson also said there was no contact.
Crew chief Tim Tschida told a pool reporter that the Rangers argued that any contact was accidental and didn't interfere with the runner's progress. "They can't make contact," Tschida said. "In 30 years of doing this, it's the second time I've ever seen it."
The Twins remained 31/2 games ahead of the White Sox in the AL Central.
Rockies 4, Padres 2
Melvin Mora had a go-ahead single in the seventh inning as host San Diego lost its 10th in a row. The Padres' NL West lead over the Giants was cut to one game.
Giants 3, Dodgers 0
Jonathan Sanchez (10-8) pitched seven crisp innings in Los Angeles and Juan Uribe hit a two-run homer for the second straight game.
Marlins 7, Braves 6
Moments after replacing Logan Morrison, who was hit by a line drive in the on-deck circle, Scott Cousins got his first big-league hit, a single to drive in the winning run in the 10th inning in Miami.
Retiring Braves manager Bobby Cox, who has been showered with gifts from teams on his final tour around the league, was snubbed by the Marlins in Miami. Marlins president David Samson said the team had no comment. But in June, when the Marlins fired Cox's protege, Fredi Gonzalez, as manager, Cox said of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria: "That guy doesn't appreciate anything."
Brewers 6, Phillies 2
Prince Fielder hit his 30th home run, a three-run shot in the first inning, and the Phillies remained a game behind the Braves. Randy Wolf (11-10) allowed two runs in 62/3 innings against his former team.
Cardinals 4, Reds 2
Matt Holliday hit a go-ahead three-run homer to back Chris Carpenter's latest dominant effort against Cincinnati, helping host St. Louis take two of three from the Reds, who lead the NL Central by seven games.
- AP
