Associated Press
The American League Roundup …
DETROIT — Jim Thome hit his 600th home run an inning after he hit No. 599 to help the Minnesota Twins outslug the Detroit Tigers 9-6 on Monday night.
Thome became the eighth major league player to reach 600, hitting a three-run shot off Daniel Schlereth in the seventh inning to give Minnesota a 9-5 lead.
An inning earlier, Thome reached 599 with a two-run homer off Rick Porcello (11-8) that broke a 3-all tie.
Thome received a standing ovation from the Detroit crowd as he rounded the bases after his milestone homer. His achievement overshadowed a solo shot in the first inning by Detroit’s Delmon Young, who had been traded from the Twins to the Tigers earlier Monday.
Francisco Liriano (8-9) allowed five runs in six innings. Joe Nathan earned his 10th save.
Both of Thome’s homers were hit to the opposite field. When No. 600 cleared the fence in left, Thome raised his right fist as he went around first base, and the crowd in Detroit came to its feet to applaud him.
The Tigers posted a congratulatory message on the scoreboard, and the Twins came out of the dugout to greet him at home plate.
Before Monday’s game, Thome hadn’t homered since Aug. 4.
Yankees 7, Royals 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Derek Jeter had three hits and drove in three runs, including two with a go-ahead triple in the sixth inning, and struggling A.J. Burnett finally won a game in August for the New York Yankees in their 7-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.
Burnett (9-9) scattered 10 singles and a walk over 5 2-3 innings, but they only resulted in three runs. The right-hander had been winless in 13 starts in August since signing a five-year, $82.5 million deal with New York, going 0-8 with a 7.18 ERA. He even lost his last August start while still a member of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008.
Mariano Rivera wrapped up the victory, pitching a perfect ninth for his 31st save.