AROUND THE HORN | Wednesday's other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Twins 9, Orioles 0
BALTIMORE -- Johan Santana pitched seven innings, allowing five hits, for his 10th straight victory, and Matt LeCroy homered to cap a seven-run second inning. Santana (17-6) struck out nine and walked none before leaving with a 9-0 lead. He's unbeaten in 11 starts since July 11 and has a 1.38 ERA since the All-Star break. Miguel Tejada and David Segui both had two hits for the Orioles, who failed to get a runner past second base.
White Sox 5, Rangers 2
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Carlos Lee hit a tie-breaking RBI single in Chicago's four-run sixth and Freddy Garcia pitched five innings in his first start in over two weeks. Ben Davis homered and Timo Perez hit a two-run double for the White Sox, who've won five of six. Garcia (11-10) allowed one run and three hits in his first start since Aug. 22. his right forearm. Shingo Takatsu got four outs for his 17th save. Kevin Mench homered as Texas lost for the eighth time in 10 games.
Blue Jays 1, Angels 0
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Justin Miller allowed two hits over eight innings to outpitch Kelvim Escobar. Miller (3-3) retired his first 11 batters before Vladimir Guerrero lined a single to right with two outs in the fourth. Anaheim's other hit was a one-out single in the eighth by Adam Kennedy.
Red Sox 8, Athletics 3
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Pedro Martinez pitched six innings, allowing two hits, to win his third straight start, and Boston completed a three-game sweep. Boston has won 14 of 15 and 26 of 31. Martinez (16-5) improved to 5-1 with a 1.25 ERA in seven regular season starts in the Coliseum, and Tim Hudson lost for the first time in 10 home starts this year. He lasted only three innings, allowing seven runs, six hits and a season-high five walks.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Astros 5, Reds 2
HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens got his 326th win to tie Eddie Plank for 11th on the career list, and Houston hit four first-inning home runs to take over the NL wild-card lead following their 12th straight win. Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio and Mike Lamb homered in the first off Jose Acevedo (5-11). Houston is on its longest winning streak since a team-record 12 in a row from Sept. 3-14, 1999, and the Astros have won 20 of 23 since Aug. 15, the best record in the major leagues over that stretch. Clemens (16-4) won his fourth straight start, allowing four hits in seven innings.
Phillies 5, Braves 3Phillies 4, Braves 1
ATLANTA -- Six pitchers combined on a three-hitter as Philadelphia completed a doubleheader sweep. In the opener, Jim Thome hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth to reach 40 homers for the fourth straight season. Philadelphia rookie Gavin Floyd, making his second major league start, gave up one run and two hits in four innings. Tim Worrell gave up a hit while finishing for his 18th save.
Padres 10, Cardinals 5
SAN DIEGO -- Backed by home runs by Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko, David Wells pitched seven innings and drove in two runs. Wells (10-7) held the Cardinals to two runs and three hits while striking out six and walking none. After giving up So Taguchi's two-run homer with one out in the third, Wells allowed only one other baserunner.
Expos 6, Cubs 0
CHICAGO -- Scott Downs outpitched Greg Maddux with a five-hit shutout -- the first of his career. Terrmel Sledge homered for the Expos, who won twice in the three-games series. Chicago has lost six of nine.
Marlins 3, Mets 0
MIAMI -- Josh Beckett pitched eight innings and blanked the Mets for his second start in a row, and the Marlins matched a franchise record with their ninth consecutive victory. The Mets have lost 11 straight, including six since last week to Florida, and haven't had a lead in 58 innings. Paul Lo Duca hit a two-run homer for the Marlins, who beat New York for the 10th straight time.
Giants 5, Rockies 3
DENVER -- Edgardo Alfonzo homered and Deivi Cruz hit a two-run double in a four-run eighth. Alfonzo finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, Marquis Grissom had three doubles and the Giants had 16 hits to win for the fourth time in five games. Barry Bonds, still at 698 homers, went 1-for-3 and walked once to move within one of the season record of 198 he set in two years ago.
Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 5
LOS ANGELES -- Steve Finley doubled in the winning run in the ninth off Mike Koplove (3-4), scoring Cesar Izturis from first base with one out. Eric Gagne (6-3) retired the side in the ninth for the victory.
Associated Press