Glaus Switch Pays Big Dividends for Blue Jays

Troy Glaus homered and made three plays in his first major league start at shortstop in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 8-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox Friday night at Toronto.

Alex Rios, Vernon Wells and Reed Johnson also homered for the Blue Jays, who have won five of six.

Toronto Manager John Gibbons wanted more offense against White Sox starter Freddy Garcia, and didn’t think his third baseman would handle many grounders with fly ball pitcher Ted Lilly on the mound.

The 6-foot-5 Glaus cleanly fielded two grounders and caught a popup in his 11th appearance at short and first since June 6, 2002, with the Angels.

Gibbons said the move was for one game. He replaced Glaus with John McDonald to start the eighth inning.

“It was fun,” Glaus said. “I had a good time.”

Garcia (7-2) failed to win his eighth consecutive decision. Lilly (5-4) gave up two runs and five hits while striking out seven in 6 1/3 innings.

Boston 8, Tampa Bay 4 -- David Ortiz drove in four runs, Mike Lowell hit a two-run homer and the Red Sox won at Fenway Park despite losing David Wells to another knee injury.

Jonathan Papelbon set a rookie record for most successful save opportunities to start a season with his 17th. Gregg Olson of Baltimore had 16 in 1989.

Wells, activated before the game after being on the disabled list since April 14 because of a sprained right knee, was hit on that knee by Travis Lee’s liner in the fifth inning.

Detroit 8, Cleveland 3 -- Curtis Granderson drove in a career-high five runs to help the Tigers beat the visiting Indians for their seventh consecutive victory. The Tigers, who hadn’t won seven in a row since 1993, have now done it twice this season.

Kansas City 7, New York 6 -- Angel Berroa hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Royals stopped their 13-game losing streak. Derek Jeter got his 2,000th hit for the Yankees, who had won 14 consecutive home games against Kansas City since Aug. 6, 2002. The Royals, 3-20 on the road, are 11-35 overall -- worst in the major leagues.

Texas 5, Oakland 3 -- Hank Blalock hit a two-run single with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Rangers handed the visiting A’s their seventh consecutive loss.

Minnesota 3, Seattle 1 -- Rookie Francisco Liriano (3-0) pitched five scoreless innings, striking out six and yielding four hits at Minneapolis.