MLB ROUNDUP Wednesday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 7, Red Sox 6

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs, helping the surging Rays beat the Red Sox for their second three-game sweep of the World Series champions this season. The Rays improved the best record in baseball to 52-32, rallying from a three-run deficit in the seventh inning and extending their lead in the AL East to a franchise-best 31‚Ñ2 games over the second-place Red Sox, who matched a season high with their fifth consecutive loss.

Twins 7, Tigers 0

MINNEAPOLIS — Nick Blackburn combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and Joe Mauer’s two-out, two-run single sparked a five-run third inning that led the surging Twins. Minnesota took two of three from the Tigers and has won 13 of its last 15 games. Detroit, which had won 18 of 22 coming into the series, was shut out for the 10th time this season, the most in the major leagues.

Angels 7, Athletics 4

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Saunders pitched into the seventh inning to match Brandon Webb for the major league lead with his 12th win, and Juan Rivera and Eric Aybar homered for the Angels. Saunders (12-4) allowed four runs — two earned — and six hits in 61‚Ñ3 innings to help Los Angeles open up a 51‚Ñ2-game lead over its AL West rivals. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless ninth for his major league-leading 34th save in 36 attempts, tying John Smoltz’s 2003 record for the most before the All-Star break.

Orioles 5, Royals 2

BALTIMORE — Daniel Cabrera pitched a seven-hitter to earn his first victory since May 20, and Aubrey Huff homered for Baltimore. Cabrera (6-4) retired 13 straight batters before David DeJesus singled with two outs in the eighth. He struck out two and walked none in his second complete game of the season, both against the Royals.

Yankees 18, Rangers 7.

NEW YORK — Jason Giambi and the New York Yankees had an emphatic response to Hank’s latest edict. Giambi hit a grand slam and drove in a season-best six runs, Alex Rodriguez added a three-run shot and New York pounded the Rangers to avoid a series sweep.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 7, Braves 3

ATLANTA — Ryan Howard hit a three-run homer and Pat Burrell added a solo shot as Philadelphia survived a ninth-inning scare. The Phillies improved to 5-0 in Atlanta this season and 7-1 overall in the season series. The Braves (40-45) fell a season-worst five games under .500 with their second straight loss in the series, despite homers from Chipper Jones and Ruben Gotay.

Marlins 4, Nationals 2

MIAMI — Florida’s Alfredo Amezaga hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in seventh inning when play resumed after a 11‚Ñ2-hour rain delay. Florida trailed 2-1 when the game was halted with one and two outs in the seventh for 1 hour, 35 minutes. Charlie Manning (0-2) relieved starter Odalis Perez after the delay, and Amezaga his second home run of the season and 11th in 1,106 career at-bats.

Dodgers 4, Astros 1

HOUSTON — Hiroki Kuroda threw seven shutout innings after coming off the disabled list, and Jeff Kent had two RBI-doubles for Los Angeles. Kuroda (4-6) allowed five hits in his first start since going on the DL on June 18 with tendinitis in his right shoulder.

Associated Press