MLB

The Atlanta Braves optioned slumping outfielder Jeff Francoeur to Double-A Mississippi on Friday.

Ivan Rodriguez knocked in three runs and Justin Verlander hurled six effective innings, as the Detroit Tigers topped the Seattle Mariners, 8-4, in the opener of a four-game set.

Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single in the bottom of the 11th inning lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over the Florida Marlins in the opener of a four-game set at Coors Field.

Carlos Delgado hit a two-run home run, Jose Reyes had a bases-loaded triple, and Mike Pelfrey threw seven solid innings, as the New York Mets blasted St. Louis, 11-1, in the finale of a four-game set with the Cardinals.

Donnie Murphy hit the go-ahead home run in the fifth inning and Justin Duchscherer was impressive on the mound, as the Oakland Athletics edged the Chicago White Sox, 3-2, in the opener of a four- game set.

Mark Grudzielanek had four hits and Jose Guillen added three runs batted in, as the Kansas City Royals battered the Baltimore Orioles with a seven-run sixth inning to earn a 10-7 victory in the finale of a four-game set at Camden Yards.

Brandon Phillips drove in three runs on three hits to lift the Cincinnati Reds over the Washington Nationals, 5-3, in the first game of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Jon Lester threw a complete game gem, while Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Lowell both drove in two runs, and the Boston Red Sox shut down the New York Yankees, 7-0, in the opener of a four-game set from Yankee Stadium.

Cole Hamels was brilliant on the mound, as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Atlanta Braves, 4-1, to complete another three-game sweep at Turner Field.

Rich Aurilia drilled a three-run homer to lift the San Francisco Giants to an 8-3 win and a split of a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs.