Oliver Has Found a Home at Fenway

Unlike many lefties, Darren Oliver is flourishing at Fenway Park.

Oliver (3-1) pitched his first shutout in more than two years, and Nomar Garciaparra drove in two runs to lead the Boston Red Sox over the Baltimore Orioles, 4-0, Tuesday night.

“My defense was great,” said Oliver, who hasn’t given up a run in two home starts. “What more can I say? It seemed like they made every play possible tonight. They put the ball in play and the defense really likes a pitcher who works quick, so they’re not sitting around in 40-degree weather.”

Light-hitting Rey Sanchez homered, his first home run in 1,094 at-bats since April 12, 2000, for Kansas City.

Texas 10, Toronto 3--Alex Rodriguez hit his 250th career home run for the Rangers in front of 12,571, the smallest crowd in the history of Toronto’s SkyDome.

Rodriguez became the second-youngest player to reach the home-run milestone, at 26 years, 277 days. Only Jimmie Foxx (26 years, 269 days) was younger.

Texas’ Rafael Palmeiro passed Carl Yastrzemski for 25th on the career home run list with his 453rd.

Kenny Rogers (3-0) gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings.

New York 8, Oakland 2--Ron Coomer hit a three-run homer that capped a six-run first inning against Barry Zito in a game at Yankee Stadium interrupted by rain for 1 hour 47 minutes.

David Wells (4-0) gave up six hits in five innings.

Chicago 8, Seattle 4--Magglio Ordonez hit a two-run homer and the White Sox ended the Mariners’ 15-game road winning streak dating to last season.

Minnesota 6, Tampa Bay 3--Torii Hunter hit his ninth home run and Kyle Lohse (2-1) pitched seven strong innings to carry the Twins at Minneapolis.

Detroit 9, Kansas City 3--Steve Sparks (2-2) pitched a two-hitter and Damian Jackson drove in four runs at Detroit to help the Tigers spoil John Mizerock’s debut as Royal manager.