MLB ROUNDUP | Saturday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Tigers 5, Athletics 2

DETROIT — Magglio Ordonez homered and Justin Verlander won for the first time in four weeks. Verlander (12-4) hadn’t won since July 15, and gave the Tigers just their second win from a starter in 24 games. He allowed two runs and seven hits with three walks in six-plus innings. Four relievers finished, with Todd Jones pitching a perfect ninth for his 31st save in 36 tries. Detroit had lost three straight and 12 of 15. Fellow All-Star Dan Haren (13-4) lost for the first time in six starts, giving up three runs and nine hits with a walk in 61⁄3 innings. Haren’s last road loss was on April 7, at the Los Angeles Angels.

Mariners 7, White Sox 6

CHICAGO — Yuniesky Betancourt hit his first career grand slam, Raul Ibanez had a three-run homer and the Seattle Mariners held on to beat Chicago. The Mariners have won 10 of 14 after losing a season-high seven straight. They remained one percentage point ahead of the New York Yankees for the AL wild-card lead. Josh Fields hit his first career grand slam in the ninth on the first pitch from J.J. Putz, but the Seattle closer retired the next three hitters for his 34th save in 36 chances.

Red Sox 6, Orioles 2

BALTIMORE — Josh Beckett came within one out of a shutout and became the first major leaguer to reach 15 wins, and Julio Lugo and J.D. Drew had two RBIs apiece to help Boston. Beckett (15-5) allowed eight hits, struck out eight and walked none in 82⁄3 innings. He was lifted after Miguel Tejada hit a run-scoring single and Kevin Millar followed with an RBI double.

Manny Delcarmen walked Aubrey Huff before Jonathan Papelbon retired Melvin Mora with two on for his 27th save in 29 chances.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cardinals 6, Dodgers 1

ST. LOUIS — Rick Ankiel homered twice and drove in three runs, the latest power display by the former pitcher. Ankiel hit the first pitch he saw in the first and seventh innings to right field, giving him three home runs since he was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday. He also singled and scored in a three-run third to help the Cardinals win for the third time in four games. After an embarrassing bout of wildness and an arm injury, the one-time phenom scrapped his pitching career during spring training in 2005. He capped his first game back in the majors — as an outfielder — with a three-run homer against San Diego on Thursday. Braden Looper (10-9) outpitched Derek Lowe, giving up four hits in six innings to earn his third victory in four starts.

Reds 8, Padres 3

CINCINNATI — Bobby Livingston pitched brilliantly into the ninth inning and Jeff Keppinger backed him with three RBIs to help the Reds. Livingston (3-2), who was 0-2 in his previous four starts, allowed four hits — including two homers by Brian Giles — with no walks and two strikeouts in 81⁄3 innings.

Giles’ second homer, a two-run shot, and third in his last two games chased Livingston. It was Giles’ 17th multihomer game and first since connecting twice on Sept. 12, 2004, at Colorado. Bill Bray got the final two outs in his first appearance for the Reds this season.

Brewers 7, Astros 4

HOUSTON — Ryan Braun hit a three-run homer and Prince Fielder followed with a solo shot, both off Astros closer Brad Lidge, as the Brewers rallied in the ninth. Scott Linebrink (4-3) pitched the eighth inning for Milwaukee, which won its second straight over Houston. Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 36th save in 42 chances. Lidge (3-2) gave up four runs on four hits in blowing his fifth save in 12 opportunities.

Marlins 7, Mets 5

NEW YORK — Miguel Cabrera hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and Josh Willingham had his first career grand slam for the Marlins. Willingham went 3-for-5 and tied a career high with five RBIs for Florida, which has won three straight and five of seven. David Wright homered twice for NL East-leading New York, which has lost three straight.

Diamondbacks 1, Nationals 0

PHOENIX — Brandon Webb pitched his second shutout in a row to extend his scoreless inning streak to a club record 33, leading the Diamondbacks to their 17th victory in 20 games. Webb’s complete-game followed a three-hit, 3-0 complete-game victory at Los Angeles last Sunday. The right-hander also pitched consecutive shutouts last season May 20 against Atlanta and May 26 against Cincinnati.

Braves 7, Phillies 5

PHILADELPHIA — Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur homered, and Atlanta’s bullpen pitched five effective innings to lead the Braves past their NL East rival. Jimmy Rollins and Aaron Rowand homered for the Phillies, and Tadahito Iguchi added a two-run double.

Associated Press