MLB ROUNDUP | Thursday's games

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Tigers 13, Royals 8
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ivan Rodriguez drove in five runs in the final two innings and the Detroit Tigers rallied from a six-run deficit to beat Kansas City, handing the Royals their 13th straight loss. Rodriguez hit a two-run triple in the eighth to erase Kansas City's 8-6 lead and a three-run homer in Detroit's five-run ninth. Craig Monroe, who went 4-for-4, and Marcus Thames started the ninth with solo homers off Elmer Dessens (2-5). Detroit scored eight runs in the final two innings to complete their first four-game sweep in Kansas City. Thames also hit a two-run homer for the Tigers, who have won 13 of their last 14 games. Tony Graffanino, Angel Berroa and Doug Mientkiewicz hit consecutive home runs against Mike Maroth in the first inning as the Royals seized a 6-0 lead. But Rodriguez's two-run triple off Ambiorix Burgos with two outs in the eighth tied it at 8 and denied Bobby Keppel the win in his major league debut. The 13-game losing streak is the second-longest for Kansas City, which lost 19 straight last season. The Royals are a major league-worst 10-35. Joel Zumaya (3-0) struck out three in 12/3 scoreless innings to get the win.
Orioles 2, Mariners 0
SEATTLE -- Struggling Rodrigo Lopez allowed two hits in 71/3 dominant innings to lead the Orioles to the win. Lopez (2-7) retired 18 consecutive batters over one stretch. Lopez, who struck out four, ended a seven-game losing streak, the longest of his six-season career. Chris Ray pitched 12/3 perfect innings for his 12th save in 12 chances. Brian Roberts doubled twice and scored two runs as Baltimore split the four-game series. Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 to end his AL season-high 18-game hitting streak. Gil Meche (4-3) allowed two runs in seven innings for Seattle. He struck out a season-high 10 and walked two.
Red Sox 4, Devil Rays 1
BOSTON -- Josh Beckett struck out seven in six shutout innings for his fourth consecutive win, and David Ortiz snapped out of a slump with two hits and an RBI for Boston. Beckett (7-1) coasted through 101 pitches, giving up four hits and a walk before leaving with a 3-0 lead. Jonathan Papelbon got the last four outs for his 16th save in 16 tries. Doug Waechter (0-3) gave up three runs and 11 hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Carl Crawford cooled off -- just a little. A day after going 5-for-5 with five runs and four stolen bases, the Devil Rays center fielder went 3-for-4, stole two bases and made a diving catch to end the eighth.
Rangers 8, Athletics 7
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Phil Nevin snapped an 0-for-17 slump with a two-out homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and Texas handed Oakland its sixth straight loss. Rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler came off the disabled list and homered twice as the Rangers overcame a seven-run deficit. Rod Barajas hit a grand slam and Mark Teixeira also homered for the Rangers. Nevin's eighth homer, his first in May, was off A's closer Huston Street (1-2), who came on in the ninth. Rangers closer Akinori Otsuka (1-1) worked the top of the ninth. Kinsler, activated before the game after missing six weeks because of a dislocated left thumb, went 3-for-4. Nick Swisher went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer for the Athletics, who built a 7-0 lead in five innings against Kevin Millwood.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Nationals 8, Astros 5
WASHINGTON -- Jose Vidro hit a three-run homer and Washington beat Houston despite seven stolen bases by the Astros. Tony Armas (5-2) won his fifth straight decision, Nick Johnson broke an 0-for-16 slump, leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano scored three runs, and rookie Ryan Zimmerman had three RBIs. The Nationals have won five of six. Nationals catcher Matthew LeCroy committed two throwing errors. The last time Houston had seven stolen bases was April 13, 1999, at San Francisco. The Florida Marlins were the last team in the majors to steal that many, getting it done May 27, 2002, at New York. Andy Pettitte (3-6) allowed three runs in the first, three in the second and one in the third before departing in his shortest outing of the season. The Astros are 1-3 to start their 10-game road trip and have lost nine of their last 11 away from Minute Maid Park.
Phillies 5, Mets 3
NEW YORK -- Chase Utley had four hits, Brett Myers won for the first time in more than a month and Philadelphia avoided a three-game sweep. Bobby Abreu and Ryan Howard both homered and drove in two runs for the Phillies, who won for only the second time in nine games. Tom Gordon got his first save since May 14, and Utley went 4-for-5 in his first career four-hit game. Jose Reyes hit a three-run homer, a double and a single for the Mets. Myers (3-2) went seven innings, allowing eight hits and striking out six. The right-hander hadn't won in five starts since April 23.
Associated Press
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