Touch 'Em All: A break on a bunt gives Texas a victory

Alberto Gonzalez squared to bunt in the 11th inning Sunday, aiming to drive in the go-ahead run for Texas on a squeeze play.

The ball hit his bat then glanced off his right leg before bouncing toward the pitcher.

But the Rangers caught a huge break - instead of being called a foul ball, Gonzalez's bunt went for an RBI infield single to give Texas a 3-2 victory over Detroit.

Gonzalez admitted after the game the ball hit him around the knee - and a replay confirmed that. But the play stood.

"The ball clearly hit him," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland, "and four guys happened to miss it. That's part of the game."

Bobby Valentine was booed relentlessly Saturday at Fenway Park during one of the most humiliating losses in the old yard's 100 years, a 15-9 collapse to the romping Yankees.

Afterward, Valentine had a closed-door meeting with general manager Ben Cherington, principal owner John Henry, and team president Larry Lucchino.

Cherington emerged to offer the traditional kiss of death - a vote of confidence - saying he's "very satisfied" with Valentine despite the Red Sox' 4-10 record.

But the first nine losses were a beer and chicken party compared to Saturday's collapse.

"I think we've hit bottom," Valentine said. "If this isn't bottom, we need to find some new ends of the earth."

In 29 career starts, White Sox righthander Philip Humber had never thrown a shutout or a complete game. His career record was 11-10.

Until Saturday, when he stunned the baseball world with the 19th perfect game since 1900.

The Red Sox were mercifully rained out against the visiting Yankees on Sunday and so were the Giants at the Mets and the Marlins at the Nationals.

Sadly, the Phillies were in balmy San Diego.

Pittsburgh entered play Sunday with a team batting average of .203, easily the worst in the majors. But the Pirates (6-9) have hung in there because their pitchers had the third-best ERA in the league, 2.53.

Pittsburgh hasn't scored more than five runs or given up more than five runs in a game this season, the longest such streak to start a year in the NL since the Pirates themselves in 1965.

Los Angeles' Matt Kemp, who leads the majors with nine homers and 22 RBIs, went 0 for 3 in the Dodgers' 12-0 loss to Houston, ending a 10-game hitting streak. It was only the second hitless game this season for Kemp, who is hitting a sizzling .450.

This article contains information from the Associated Press.