thursday’s other mlb games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees 6, Orioles 3

NEW YORK

Alex Rodriguez homered, CC Sabathia won for the first time in a month and the New York Yankees handed hapless Baltimore its eighth straight loss. Brett Gardner also homered and Robinson Cano had an RBI double off Kevin Millwood (0-6) as the Yankees won their fifth consecutive game, all against last-place teams. Sabathia (5-3) allowed three hits and struck out seven over seven innings, improving to 12-1 against the Orioles by beating them for the third time this season. Joba Chamberlain worked a perfect eighth and Mariano Rivera pitched a hitless ninth for his 12th save in 13 chances. Luke Scott hit a two-run homer and Adam Jones also connected for the Orioles, who have dropped 10 of 11.

Athletics 9, Red Sox 8

BOSTON

Kurt Suzuki hit two of Oakland’s four homers as the Athletics showed unusual power in overcoming Boston’s 18-hit attack. The A’s entered the game with 33 homers, the third-fewest in the majors, and hit more than two in a game for the first time this season. Suzuki homered in his first two at bats against Tim Wakefield (1-4), a solo shot in the second inning and a two-run homer in the fourth. Then, with Oakland leading 7-5 in the eighth, Jack Cust and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit homers on consecutive pitches by Manny Delcarmen, who began the day as the AL leader with a .128 batting average by opponents. Bill Hall’s solo homer in the ninth pulled the Sox within a run, but Andrew Bailey got the last two outs for his 12th save.

Angels 5, Royals 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Jered Weaver outpitched Zack Greinke in seven scoreless innings and Torii Hunter homered for the second straight game to lead the Los Angeles Angels. Weaver (5-2) was sharp for the fourth straight start, getting his first win since May 7 behind a suddenly-hitting Los Angeles offense that knocked around Greinke (1-7). The Angels had 12 hits after getting 14 the night before, the biggest blow Hunter’s two-run homer in the fifth inning. Los Angeles (28-28) has won seven of nine to reach .500 for the first time since April 30. Greinke seemed off-kilter for the second straight home start, extending his post-Cy Young misery by allowing four runs on 10 hits in six innings.

White Sox 4, Rangers 3

CHICAGO

Carlos Quentin, booed after committing an error that led to a Texas run, atoned with a two-run homer for Chicago in the seventh inning. Freddy Garcia (5-3) pitched seven solid innings, and Andruw Jones and Alex Rios also homered for the White Sox, who avoided being swept at home by the Rangers for the first time in 24 years. Colby Lewis (4-4) was in command for six innings, but needed only three pitches in the seventh to blow a 3-2 lead. After A.J. Pierzynski doubled on the first pitch, Quentin sent Lewis’ 1-0 delivery just over the right-field fence.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros 6, Nationals 4

HOUSTON

Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer in the ninth after the Astros tied it on Cristian Guzman’s error in right field and Houston rallied for a win. Lee drove an 0-1 pitch from Matt Capps (0-3) into the left-field porch for the Astros’ second win in their last at-bat in three days. On Tuesday, Lance Berkman hit a two-run single in the ninth to lift the Astros to an 8-7 win. Michael Bourn started Thursday’s comeback with a double to center. After Jeff Keppinger grounded out, Berkman drove a sinking liner that dropped at Guzman’s feet and bounced away. Lee then hit his second two-run, game-ending homer of the season.

Marlins 3, Brewers 2

MIAMI, Fla.

Josh Johnson pitching seven strong innings, and Ronny Paulino drove in two runs to help Florida beat Milwaukee. Johnson (6-2), the tough-luck loser in his last start when Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game, finally allowed an earned run, ending his streak at 31 1/3 innings spanning parts of six starts. The 6-foot-7 right-hander allowed one run, seven hits, and three walks while striking out eight.

Associated Press