MLB ROUNDUP Tuesday’s other games

AMERICAN LERAGUE

Blue Jays 6, Rays 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Roy Halladay beat Tampa Bay for the first time this season, and Vernon Wells homered and had three RBIs for Toronto. Halladay (16-9) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. The right-hander posted a 5.32 ERA in losing his previous three starts against Tampa Bay this year. No team has beat Halladay four times in the same season. Wells had two run-scoring singles and added a solo homer in the ninth that made it 6-2. He has four homers and nine RBIs over his last three games. Rod Barajas hit a solo homer for the Blue Jays, who have won 10 of their last 13 road games. Eric Hinske drove in two runs for Tampa Bay, which lost consecutive games for the second time since the All-Star break. Tampa Bay is an AL-best 47-19 at home this season. James Shields (11-8) went 62‚Ñ3 innings, allowing four runs and nine hits. He had won six of his seven previous starts at home.

Red Sox 7, Yankees 3

NEW YORK — Tim Wakefield won in his return from the disabled list and Boston moved a step closer to squashing New York’s playoff hopes. Jason Bay drove in two runs, David Ortiz had a strong game at the plate and Boston got an outstanding effort from its bullpen in the opener of a three-game series. Johnny Damon homered twice for the Yankees, but Alex Rodriguez grounded into two double plays — one with the bases loaded — and struck out for the final out. The three-time MVP went 0-for-5 and was booed loudly as New York fell six games behind Boston in the AL wild-card race. Wakefield (8-8) allowed three runs and eight hits in five innings. The 42-year-old knuckleballer hadn’t pitched since Aug. 6 because of tightness in his right shoulder. Five Red Sox relievers combined for four scoreless innings, and Jonathan Papelbon got four outs for his 34th save. Andy Pettitte (13-10) was touched for six runs and 10 hits in 42‚Ñ3 innings.

White Sox 8, Orioles 3

BALTIMORE — Gavin Floyd pitched eight innings of four-hit ball and Nick Swisher homered as Chicago handed Baltimore its fifth straight loss. Orlando Cabrera went 4-for-5 with two RBIs for the first-place White Sox, who have won eight of 10 to move a season-high 20 games over .500 (76-56). Chicago had nine extra-base hits, including a season high-tying seven doubles.

Rangers 2, Royals 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kevin Millwood pitched his second straight complete game and Texas took advantage of some poor defense to score two unearned runs. The Royals have lost 16 of 19 and have been outscored 123-54 in that span to fall a season-worst 20 games below .500.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves 10, Marlins 9

ATLANTA — Yunel Escobar’s single capped a four-run ninth inning against Florida closer Kevin Gregg. With the bases loaded and one out, Gregor Blanco grounded into what could have been a game-ending double play. But shortstop Hanley Ramirez was unable to pull the ball from his glove as Mark Kotsay slid into second, and Jeff Francoeur scored to make it 9-all. Escobar then singled into shallow right field against Gregg, who has eight blown saves in 37 chances.

Nationals 2, Dodgers 1

WASHINGTON — Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman started four double plays and just missing a fifth because of a teammate’s misplay. He twice made spectacular plays with the bases loaded and nobody out, his defense leading the way to extend the Dodgers’ skid to a five games, matching their season-high.

Reds 2, Astros 1

HOUSTON — Bronson Arroyo pitched Cincinnati’s first complete game of the season and Ryan Hanigan hit a solo homer that would have probably drawn an instant replay review. Hanigan broke the tie in the eighth with a one-out homer off Geoff Geary that bounced off the facade in left center, just above the yellow line. Second-base umpire Ted Barrett made the home run signal and Houston manager Cecil Cooper came out to talk to him.

Brewers 12, Cardinals 0

ST. LOUIS — Ben Sheets worked six scoreless innings and Ryan Braun was 3-for-5 with a two-run homer to help Milwaukee beat St. Louis. Prince Fielder had three hits and two RBIs for the Brewers. Craig Counsell doubled twice and had three hits as the Brewers (77-55) moved 22 games above .500 for the first time since they were 92-70 at the end of the 1992 season. Sheets (12-7) beat the Cardinals for the sixth time in 20 career decisions, allowing five hits and retiring his final eight hitters.

Associated Press