AROUND THE HORN Thursday's other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Red Sox 4, Athletics 2, 10 innings
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Manny Ramirez hit a game-tying homer in the ninth inning, and Bill Mueller drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the 10th. It's the first time in 59 games the A's have failed to win when taking a lead into the ninth. Ramirez tied the game with his 28th homer of the season on a 3-2 pitch from A's closer Keith Foulke, who blew his fifth save in 34 chances. It was Ramirez's first career hit against Foulke in nine at-bats. In the 10th, Gabe Kapler reached base on an infield single, and scored on Mueller's fly to center off Jim Mecir (2-2). Johnny Damon scored an insurance run after a throwing error by Eric Chavez. Miguel Tejada drove in both of the A's runs.
Yankees 8, Orioles 5
BALTIMORE -- Hideki Matsui drove in the tie-breaking run in the seventh inning, then preserved the lead with a sensational catch. Matsui's heroics made a winner of Andy Pettitte (14-7), who allowed five runs and 11 hits in six-plus innings. The left-hander improved to 17-4 lifetime against Baltimore, including 11-2 at Camden Yards. Mariano Rivera got four outs for his 24th save in 29 chances. Jorge Posada hit a two-run homer in the ninth, and Bernie Williams went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two walks for New York. Tony Batista hit a three-run homer and Brian Roberts had a solo shot for the Orioles.
Rangers 6, Tigers 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- John Thomson pitched seven innings on two days rest and Shane Spencer homered as Texas took advantage of three Detroit errors. Thomson (10-10) allowed three runs and nine hits to win for the sixth time in seven decisions. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter. Francisco Cordero pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save in 17 chances. Warren Morris went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Tigers, who've lost 21 of 27 since the All-Star break.
Blue Jays 5, Mariners 2
SEATTLE -- Carlos Delgado hit his 33rd home run and Kelvim Escobar earned his career-high fourth straight victory. Escobar (9-6) threw into the eighth, holding the Mariners to eight hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. He improved to 4-0 since the All-Star break and 6-1 on the road with a 2.03 ERA. He has a 1.21 ERA in three August victories. Gil Meche (13-8) lasted only to the fourth inning, throwing 94 pitches and giving up four runs on seven hits with one strikeout.
Angels 5, White Sox 1
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Tim Salmon homered and Scot Shields got his first win since rejoining the starting rotation. Shields (3-3) worked a career-high 7 2/3 innings, allowing a run and four hits. It was the right-hander's second win in six career starts, and his first in three outings since he was put back into the rotation after Kevin Appier was released July 30. Scott Spiezio drove in two runs for the Angels, who took three of four from Chicago.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs 7, Astros 1
CHICAGO -- Alex Gonzalez homered and drove in three runs, and five Chicago pitchers combined on a five-hitter. The Astros had been in sole possession of first place since July 9, leading by as many as four games. But the Astros dropped three of four to the Cubs, falling into a first-place tie with St. Louis. Chicago is just a half-game out. Matt Clement (10-10) lasted 5 2/3 innings, leaving after walking Adam Everett with the bases loaded in the sixth.
Dodgers 6, Marlins 4
MIAMI -- Adrian Beltre and Jeromy Burnitz hit two-run homers, and Eric Gagne extended his major league record for consecutive saves at the start of a season. Florida had beaten the Dodgers the previous two games with walk-off, extra-inning homers. But Gagne struck out the side on 10 pitches for his 40th save this season. Kevin Brown (12-6), starting on three days' rest for the first time season, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs, all on Miguel Cabrera's homer in the second. Shawn Green went 3-for-4 with a walk, stole two bases and scored twice.
Braves 7, Padres 4
ATLANTA -- Russ Ortiz became the first 17-game winner in the majors and Javy Lopez hit two more homers. Gary Sheffield extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a homer, tying his career high, and Chipper Jones homered for the third game in a row. Ortiz (17-5) pitched into the eighth, allowing just five hits for his 10th win in 11 starts. He helped himself at the plate, too, capping a three-run sixth with an RBI single that gave the Braves a 5-1 lead. Jake Peavy (9-9) surrendered only four hits in 5 1/3 innings, but three of them were homers.
Phillies 4, Brewers 3
PHILADELPHIA -- Placido Polanco's solo homer sparked a three-run rally, and Mike Williams got his first save with the Phillies. Chase Utley, playing his first game since being recalled from Triple-A Scranton on Wednesday, had three hits and an RBI. Randy Wolf (12-7) got his first victory since July 23, giving up two runs and six hits in seven innings. Eric Young homered for the Brewers, who have lost seven of their last 10 games.
Reds 3, Diamondbacks 2
CINCINNATI -- Aaron Harang won his second start, and D'Angelo Jimenez and Sean Casey delivered clutch singles as Cincinnati snapped a 16-game losing streak to Arizona. The Reds hadn't beaten Arizona since May 21, 2001. Harang is 2-0 as a starter since Oakland traded him to the Reds on July 30 along with two other pitchers for outfielder Jose Guillen. He allowed three hits and a season-high four walks in 6 1/3 innings, but he held Arizona's 3-4-5 batters -- Luis Gonzalez, Raul Mondesi and Steve Finley -- hitless.
-- Associated Press