AMERICAN LEAGUE

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yankees 7, Devil Rays 4
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run double, and Orlando Hernandez won his seventh straight decision in Tampa Bay's season-high eighth straight loss. Hernandez (7-0) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings before he was ejected by plate umpire Adam Dowdy for arguing balls and strikes.
Orioles 4, Twins 1
BALTIMORE -- Daniel Cabrera pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning, and Jose Leon and Melvin Mora had two RBIs apiece to lead surging Baltimore. It was the seventh win in eight games for the Orioles, playing at home for the first time since Aug. 22. Baltimore went 0-6 on its last homestand, and ended up losing 12 in a row overall. But the Orioles have gone 7-1 since, in part because the starters have allowed only four earned runs over the last 41 2/3 innings.
Tigers 7, Royals 3
DETROIT -- Craig Monroe homered and Omar Infante drove in three runs to back Wil Ledezma's six strong innings. Ledezma (4-2) gave up two runs -- one earned -- and seven hits in six innings. Gary Knotts pitched final three innings and gave up two hits and one run -- Angel Berroa's solo homer in the ninth -- for his second save.
White Sox 7, Rangers 4
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Carl Everett homered and Chicago took advantage of Texas' season-high five errors. Jason Grilli (1-1) gave up three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Shingo Takatsu got two outs for his 17th save in 18 chances.
Red Sox 8, Athletics 3
OAKLAND, Calif. -- David Ortiz homered and drove in four runs to lead Boston to its 12th win in 13 games, a wild victory over Oakland. Manny Ramirez and Ortiz hit consecutive home runs in the fourth inning off Barry Zito, and Bronson Arroyo (8-9) won his third straight decision. Bill Mueller and Dave Roberts each hit RBI doubles in the seventh, and Ortiz added a three-run double in the ninth.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Astros 11, Reds 5
HOUSTON -- Astros pitcher Brandon Backe hit his first career homer, a two-run shot, and allowed one run in seven innings to keep Houston in the thick of the NL wild-card chase. Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman and Jeff Kent also homered, helping the Astros extend their season-high winning streak to 10 games. Houston is on its longest winning streak in five years and has won 18 of 21 since Aug. 15, the best record in the majors during that stretch.
Braves 3, Phillies 1
ATLANTA -- Replacement starter Travis Smith pitched five solid innings and Andruw Jones homered again for the Braves.
Smith (1-3), who has spent most of the season at Triple-A, got the start when Mike Hampton couldn't go because of a stiff neck. The 31-year-old journeyman allowed five hits and a run before giving way to the bullpen.
Cubs 9, Expos 1
CHICAGO -- Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of two-run homers and Carlos Zambrano allowed four hits in eight innings to lead the Cubs. Mark Grudzielanek, Derrek Lee and Michael Barrett also homered for the Cubs, who played their first game since Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning victory at Montreal.
Padres 7, Cardinals 3
SAN DIEGO -- Ryan Klesko singled in the go-ahead run with none out in the eighth inning and San Diego ended St. Louis' nine-game winning streak. With the score tied at 3 and the bases loaded in the eighth, Klesko hit a chopper over the head of first baseman Albert Pujols to score Ramon Vazquez.
Associated Press