mlb roundup Saturday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 5, Tigers 4

BOSTON

David Ortiz lined a three-run double to the left-center gap with one out in the ninth inning Saturday to give Boston the victory. It was the 18th game-ending hit of his career. Hideki Okajima (4-3) pitched a perfect ninth inning. Phil Coke (6-2) took the loss after coming in with one on in the ninth. The Red Sox trailed 2-0 on Miguel Cabrera’s 26th homer in the first inning and fell behind 4-0 in the fourth.

Yankees 5, Rays 4

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.

Robinson Cano’s 21st home run of the season snapped a ninth-inning tie and enabled New York to beat Tampa Bay and hang on to first place in the AL East. While Alex Rodriguez failed for the ninth consecutive game to hit his 600th career homer, Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher went deep for the defending world champions, who rallied from an early deficit against Matt Garza before beating All-Star closer Rafael Soriano (2-1) on Cano’s drive into the right field seats. Rodriguez, 9 for 37 with eight RBIs since hitting career homer No. 599 on July 22, went 0 for 3 with a walk and one strikeout. David Robertson (2-3) pitched a perfect inning for the win. Mariano Rivera worked the ninth for his 22nd save in 24 opportunities, ending Tampa Bay’s seven-game winning streak.

Twins 4, Mariners 0

MINNEAPOLIS

Kevin Slowey pitched eight sparkling innings, Joe Mauer had three hits and the Twins won their seventh consecutive win. Delmon Young added two hits and two RBIs, including a run-scoring triple in Minnesota’s three-run first. Felix Hernandez (7-8) pitched seven innings for the Mariners, yielding three runs and seven hits.

Seattle has lost six straight and its 6-22 record for July matched the franchise record for losses in a month, set by the 1977 expansion team in August.

Slowey (10-5) allowed three hits, tying a season low, and struck out five.

Athletics 6, White Sox 2

CHICAGO

Dallas Braden pitched his third complete game of the season, Kevin Kouzmanoff homered among his three hits and Oakland ended the White Sox’s 12-game home winning streak.

Royals 4, Orioles 3

KANSAS CITY, MO.

Billy Butler hit a late two-run homer and Zack Greinke pitched eight strong innings as the Royals rallied for a win.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Reds 5, Braves 2

CINCINNATI

Ryan Hanigan hit a tiebreaking double during a wacky seventh-inning rally. Hanigan doubled to the wall in center off Jair Jurrjens (3-4), who has yet to win on the road. Two runs scored while Melky Cabrera chased the ball to the wall.

Giants 2, Dodgers 1

SAN FRANCISCO

Pat Burrell lined a go-ahead two-run homer into the left-field seats with two outs in the eighth inning. Chad Billingsley extended his scoreless innings streak to 212/3 spanning three starts.

Associated Press