Nick Johnson News

Daniel Nava and Kelly Shoppach hit sixth-inning homers to turn a tie game in Boston's favor, and the Red Sox withstood two home runs by Nick Johnson in a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

Orioles designated hitter Nick Johnson had his first multi-homer game in nearly six years, but the Orioles allowed homers to the bottom three hitters in an injury-plagued Red Sox lineup in a 6-5 loss.

"The shock value of the current standings varies by city. Nothing is more stunning than Baltimore topping the majors in home runs and leading the rugged AL East; they've built that lead by winning at least one series from every other team in the division.

The Battle of the Beltways has never exactly been a running joke to this point around the league, however I suspect that the NY and Chicago teams often looked at it as an awkward stepsister of sorts.

Nick Johnson's two-run homer helped Baltimore claim sole possession of top spot in the American League East with a 4-3 triumph over Tampa Bay.

Yet on Friday night, Johnson, who opened the season with a 0-for-28 streak, hit a winning two-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Orioles a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in front of 26,669 at Camden Yards.

Miranda was a member of the Cuban National Team in 2001, and played for Pinar Del Rio in the Cuban National Series from 2002 through 2004 as a first baseman and outfielder.