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Young, Punto have 4 RBIs each in Twins' 12-3 win

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Delmon Young and Nick Punto are starting to get comfortable in their roles.

Young hit a three-run home run and had a season-high four RBIs, Punto homered and also had four RBIs, and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the free-falling Cleveland Indians 12-3 on Friday night.

Young got off to a slow start after coming over in a trade from Tampa Bay, and Punto has battled injuries and hasn't been able to get at-bats when healthy. It now looks like both players are starting to heat up and fit in.

"It's nice to see different guys contribute," Punto said. "Tonight it was me and Delmon, and Delmon's starting to swing the bat real well. That's the key to this team winning."

Paul Byrd (3-10) hung a breaking ball to Young in the third inning and the second-year outfielder lined it over the left-field wall for his third home run, giving Minnesota a 5-2 lead and helping the Twins win for the 14th time in their last 16 games.

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Xavier Nady’s 2 homers lead Pirates over Reds 9-5

July 3, 2008

CINCINNATI (AP) — A Pirates bullpen missing its closer managed to pull one out.

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A.J. Pierzynski’s homer lifts White Sox

July 3, 2008

CHICAGO (AP) — No stranger to drama, A.J. Pierzynski found himself at the center of it again. This time, he didn’t mind.

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Reds SS Gonzalez will have knee surgery

July 3, 2008

CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez is scheduled for surgery Monday on his troublesome left knee, which has sidelined him all season.

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4 young stars traded by Rangers, Blue Jackets

July 3, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Blue Jackets traded enigmatic offensive star Nikolai Zherdev and center Dan Fritsche to the New York Rangers for defensemen Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin on Wednesday.

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