mlb roundup Tuesday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Blue Jays 4, Athletics 3

TORONTO — Kevin Mench singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning and Toronto extended Oakland’s season-long losing streak to eight games. Toronto trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth against Oakland closer Huston Street. Alex Rios led off with a single and scored one out later when Rod Barajas doubled over the head of left fielder Ryan Sweeney. Adam Lind was walked intentionally and Scott Rolen advanced both runners with an infield chopper before Mench lined the first pitch he saw into the left-center field alley, scoring Barajas. Street (2-5) suffered his sixth blown save of the season.

Red Sox 8, Royals 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jason Bay had four hits and two RBIs and Josh Beckett pitched effectively into the seventh inning to help Boston beat Kansas City. Beckett, 0-3 with a 5.31 earned run average while allowing 29 hits in 201‚Ñ3 innings in his previous three starts, held the Royals to four hits and two runs in 62‚Ñ3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two. Beckett (10-8) gave up an RBI double to Mark Teahen in the first, and after Alex Gordon led off the second with a single, Beckett retired 16 of the next 17 he faced. He improved to 3-0 in five career starts against Kansas City.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cubs 11, Astros 7

CHICAGO — Alfonso Soriano hit a tie-breaking three-run homer in the seventh inning and Chicago rallied after blowing a five-run lead. Soriano’s 20th homer highlighted a five-run burst and sent the NL Central-leading Cubs to their eighth win in 10 games.

Marlins 8, Phillies 2

PHILADELPHIA — Josh Johnson pitched six scoreless innings and Jeremy Hermida drove in four runs for Florida. Johnson (2-0) allowed five hits and overcame four walks in his fifth start since returning from reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2007. The Marlins improved to 5-0 in his starts this year.

Mets 6, Padres 5

NEW YORK — Fernando Tatis homered twice and drove in four runs, giving New York’s mix-and-match bullpen enough breathing room to close out San Diego without injured Billy Wagner. Mike Pelfrey (10-7) pitched effectively into the seventh inning to help the Mets end a four-game skid, hours after they put Wagner on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left forearm.

Brewers 8, Reds 1

CINCINNATI — Prince Fielder made amends by apologizing, then hit a two-run homer that helped Milwaukee beat Cincinnati. The Brewers were on their best behavior a day after Fielder shoved pitcher Manny Parra in the dugout during a series-opening loss. Fielder apologized before Tuesday’s game, then helped Milwaukee’s uptight offense relax by hitting his sixth homer in his last nine games.

Associated Press