AROUND THE HORN | Thursday's other games
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yankees 7, Blue Jays 4
TORONTO -- Alex Rodriguez hit a tie-breaking, two-run single in the ninth off Jason Frasor (4-4) as the Yankees overcame a 4-0 deficit. C.J. Nitkwoski (1-1) got two outs in the eighth for his first win with the Yankees. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his major league-leading 44th save.
Athletics 9, Orioles 4
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Erubiel Durazo hit a three-run homer and Eric Chavez also connected for Oakland, which completed a four-game sweep. Barry Zito (10-9) won for the third time in four starts, and the AL-West leading A's earned their ninth win in 10 games. Scott Hatteberg added a three-run double for Oakland.
Red Sox 4, Tigers 1
BOSTON -- Bronson Arroyo (7-9) allowed only an unearned run and six hits in 7 1/3 innings, and Boston won for the ninth time in 10 games, improving to a season-best 20 games over .500. Keith Foulke pitched the ninth for his 24th save, completing a six-hitter.
Rangers 8, Twins 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Chan Ho Park (3-4) allowed two runs and four hits over six innings in his return from the disabled list for his first win since May 12. Hank Blalock homered for the fifth time in six games. He and Alfonso Soriano each had three RBIs for the Rangers. Terry Mulholland (4-7) allowed seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings for the Twins.
Royals 7, Mariners 3
SEATTLE -- Ichiro Suzuki homered for his 200th hit of the season, but Abraham Nunez hit his second grand slam in two weeks for Kansas City. Suzuki became the first player to reach 200 hits in each of his first four major league seasons. He finished 1-for-5 and leads the AL with a .364 batting average. The Mariners dropped their fourth straight and sixth in seven games.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs 8, Astros 3
CHICAGO -- Sammy Sosa and Aramis Ramirez hit consecutive homers in a five-run third inning as Chicago won its fifth straight. Mark Prior (4-3) got his first win in three weeks, needing 116 pitches to get through six innings. Houston's Carlos Beltran homered for the fourth straight game.
Padres 10, Mets 3
NEW YORK -- Adam Eaton (9-11) allowed two hits in seven shutout innings to win his seventh straight road start, and Mark Loretta drove in three runs as San Diego opened a 10-0 lead and completed a four-game sweep. Steve Trachsel (10-11) gave up six runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Giants 5, Marlins 0
MIAMI -- Brett Tomko (7-6) pitched a four-hitter for his first career shutout, striking out four and walking one in his first complete game this season. He is 5-0 in seven starts against the Marlins. Ray Durham hit a two-run homer. Josh Beckett (5-8) lasted just 5 1/3 innings and departed trailing 4-0.
Dodgers 10, Expos 3
MONTREAL -- Adrian Beltre hit his major league-high 41st homer and Eric Gagne was cheered wildly in what was likely his final game in his hometown. Gagne threw a hitless ninth inning. Jeff Weaver (12-10) improved to 5-0 in his last six starts, allowing three runs and five hits in six innings and hitting a two-run single in a seven-run sixth. Steve Finley had three hits and four RBIs for the Dodgers, who split the four-game series.
Reds 1, Cardinals 0
CINCINNATI -- Aaron Harang (8-6) pitched a three-hitter for his first career complete game and Sean Casey homered in the sixth off Chris Carpenter (13-5). Carpenter also pitched a three-hitter, striking out 11 in his first complete game since July 29, 2002, with Toronto at Kansas City -- also a loss.
Braves 6, Rockies 4
ATLANTA -- Mike Hampton (10-9) helped himself with an RBI single, and Atlanta increased its NL East lead to a season-high 9 1/2 games, completing a three-game sweep that stretched their winning streak to four. Colorado has lost four straight. John Smoltz pitched the ninth for his 34th save.
Associated Press