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Palmerio closes on 3,000 hits as Orioles romp

Posted on: Saturday, 9 July 2005, 20:12 CDT

TORONTO (Reuters) - Rafael Palmeiro homered, drove in six runs and moved to within three hits of the 3,000 mark for his career as the Baltimore Orioles crushed the Boston Red Sox 9-1 in American League at Camden Yards on Saturday.

Palmeiro hit a three-run homer in the third inning to put the Orioles ahead for good and had two hits, giving him 2,997 for his career.

The Cuban native is looking to become just the fourth major league player to amass 500 home runs and 3,000 hits.

Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray, all in the Hall of Fame, are the only men to have accomplished the feat.

The home run was Palmerio's 14th of the season and 565th of his career as he helped the Orioles win for just the fourth time in 16 games.

Miguel Tejada went five-for-five for the Orioles and drove in a run, while Larry Bigbie and Melvin Mora both added two hits to the Baltimore attack.

Bruce Chen (7-5) allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for the win, striking out five and walking three.

Wade Miller (2-3) took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out five and walking three.

Johnny Damon had two of Boston's seven hits, stretching his career-best hitting streak to 24 games.

Edgar Renteria drove in the lone run for the Red Sox.

In other games, Jose Hernandez homered twice as the Cleveland Indians beat the Yankees 8-7 in New York.

Scott Elarton (6-3) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three.

Bob Wickman pitched one inning for his 23rd save and Jhonny Peralta also homered for the Indians.

Darrell May (1-4) pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits and striking out three.

Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, Ruben Sierra and Hideki Matsui homered for the Yankees.

Source: REUTERS

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