Detroit – Detroit got its AL championship rings Wednesday, then treated thousands of hardy fans to the same roller-coaster experience of last October. Curtis Granderson hit his first career grand slam as Detroit built a nine-run lead and then held on to defeat Toronto 10-9. Coming off their first pennant since 1984, the Tigers lost Monday’s opener in 10 innings. Detroit chased A.J. Burnett (0-1) early in this one, and Granderson connected off Shaun Marcum for his first homer of the season, capping an eight-run third with a drive that landed on top of the wall in right-center, hitting the yellow home-run line, and bounced back onto the field. Granderson also had an RBI triple in the seventh off Victor Zambrano and tied his career high with five RBIs.
Noteworthy: Designated hitter Gary Sheffield singled in the fifth for his first hit with Detroit.
INDIANS 8, WHITE SOX 7 at Chicago: Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore hit a two-run, two-out homer in the seventh inning, and Jason Michaels made a game-ending catch with two on while falling down at the warning track. Sizemore, who led off Monday’s opener with a homer as the Indians routed the White Sox, connected off Matt Thornton (0-1) to overcome a 7-6 deficit. The homer followed Andy Marte’s walk against Mike MacDougal.
Noteworthy: The temperature at game time was 31 degrees with a 15 mph wind and a wind chill of 19.
ANGELS 5, RANGERS 3 at Anaheim, Calif.: Ervin Santana held Texas to four hits in seven innings as Los Angeles got off to just the fourth 3-0 start in franchise history. The Angels outscored the Rangers 17-7 and left Texas rookie manager Ron Washington looking for his first victory.
Noteworthy: In 57 games against Texas, Vladimir Guerrero is batting .437, with 21 homers and 50 RBIs.
TWINS 7, ORIOLES 2 at Minneapolis: Ramon Ortiz allowed two runs in seven innings in his Minnesota debut, helping the Twins complete a three-game sweep. Michael Cuddyer had three singles and two RBIs before leaving with a cut on his chin in the fifth inning.
Noteworthy: Ortiz entered the night 0-3 with a 7.90 ERA in five career starts at the Metrodome.
RED SOX 7, ROYALS 1 at Kansas City, Mo.: J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell hit back-to-back doubles in a three-run first inning and Josh Beckett held Kansas City to two hits through five innings.
Noteworthy: Royals third baseman Alex Gordon, the 2006 minor-league player of the year, is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts.
ATHLETICS 9, MARINERS 0 at Seattle: Rich Harden allowed three singles and struck out seven in seven innings to lead Oakland to its first win of the season. Harden has allowed seven earned runs in 10 career games against Seattle and is 5-0 with a 0.86 ERA in six starts at Safeco Field.
Noteworthy: Oakland’s Mark Ellis, batting in the ninth spot in the order, drove in five runs.
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