A’s Keeping Up the Heat in June

Eric Chavez hit a two-run homer to help the Oakland Athletics complete a three-game sweep in the ballpark where they couldn’t win during the 1990 World Series, beating the Cincinnati Reds, 5-1, Sunday.

The A’s have won seven in a row and 15 of their last 16, moving a season-high 12 games over .500. They are a major league-leading 18-3 in June.

Chavez had only one hit in 16 at-bats when he hit his 18th homer in the sixth inning off Chris Reitsma (3-5).

Cincinnati, which lost its seventh in a row, suffered another setback when Ken Griffey Jr. left the game after injuring his right hamstring in the fourth inning. It tightened up as he rounded first while running out a double.

Detroit 3, Florida 2--Damion Easley homered with two outs in the top of the ninth inning and the Tigers avoided a series sweep at Miami. It was the first run against the Marlin bullpen in 15 2/3 innings and also ended the team’s five-game winning streak.

With a runner on first and two outs in the ninth, pinch-hitter Luis Castillo singled in his first at-bat since his 35-game hitting streak was snapped Saturday night.

New York Mets 5, Kansas City 4--Roger Cedeno hit a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning to lead the Mets at Shea Stadium. It was their sixth win in eight games.

Texas 10, Pittsburgh 4--Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer for his first extra-base hit in 16 games to help the Rangers complete a three-game sweep at Pittsburgh and win their fifth in a row and seventh in 10 games.

Baltimore 3, San Francisco 1--Gary Matthews Jr. hit a two-run single in the eighth inning at Pac Bell Park and Jason Johnson (2-5) pitched seven innings for his first victory since April 20.

Montreal 7, Cleveland 2--Wil Cordero drove in three runs against his former club and Tony Armas Jr. pitched six strong innings and had an RBI triple to help the Expos complete an 8-1 homestand.

Colorado 6, Tampa Bay 5--Todd Zeile hit a three-run homer to help the Rockies complete a sweep of the Devil Rays at Coors Field. Jose Jimenez pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save of the season and 60th in his Rockies’ career.

Atlanta 9, Chicago White Sox 1--Rafael Furcal hit a leadoff homer to spark a four-run first inning and the Braves got six shutout innings from Jason Marquis to complete a sweep of the White Sox at Turner Field.

Minnesota 5, Philadelphia 1--Torii Hunter, Corey Koskie and Dustan Mohr homered to lead the Twins at Philadelphia.