mlb roundup | Monday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 5, Royals 1

BOSTON

Daisuke Matsuzaka returned from the disabled list with his best start of the season and Cody Ross drove in three runs for the Red Sox. Starting the season on the DL after Tommy John surgery in June, Matsuzaka (1-3) earned his first big league win since May 16 of last season giving up an unearned run and five hits, walking two and striking out six over seven innings. Jacoby Ellsbury had a solo homer and a double for Boston.

Orioles 4, White Sox 3

BALTIMORE

Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and Lew Ford also homered. It was the franchise-record 13th consecutive one-run win for the Orioles, who trailed 2-1 in the sixth and 3-2 in the eighth. After the White Sox went up 3-2 in the eighth against Pedro Strop (5-2) on a run-scoring infield single by Adam Dunn, Baltimore answered in the bottom half against Brett Myers (2-2). Mark Reynolds drew a one-out walk and McLouth drove a 1-0 pitch far over the wall in right-center. It was his third RBI of the game and second home run since the Orioles purchased his contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 4.

Blue Jays 8, Yankees 7

NEW YORK

Colby Rasmus hit a three-run homer off Rafael Soriano with two outs in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays took advantage of Derek Lowe’s wild pickoff throw in the 11th to snap a seven-game losing streak. Yorvit Torrealba had a two-run shot and Adam Lind also went deep in his first plate appearance for the banged-up Blue Jays since coming off the disabled list. Robinson Cano homered twice and Nick Swisher hit a two-run drive for New York. Darren Oliver (3-2) pitched two hitless innings for the win.

Rangers 6, Rays 5

ARLINGTON, TEXAS

Adrian Beltre was 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs, including the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Elvis Andrus scored on Beltre’s single to give the AL West leaders a series-opening win. Nelson Cruz also homered and Mike Olt added an RBI for Texas. Derek Holland (9-6) got the win, giving up five runs -- three earned -- on six hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked one. Joe Nathan earned his 23rd consecutive save opportunity and 26th this season.

Mariners 1, Twins 0

MINNEAPOLIS

Felix Hernandez struck out five in a five-hitter and Eric Thames hit a solo homer in the eighth inning. Hernandez (13-5), who picked up his 23rd career complete game and ninth shutout, hasn’t lost a decision since June 12. Franklin Gutierrez went 1 for 2 with two stolen bases in his first game since June 28 because of a concussion. Liam Hendriks (0-7) was almost King-like, but it wasn’t quite enough to get him his first career victory. He gave up three hits and struck out six in nine outstanding innings, his only blemish the homer to Thames. Joe Mauer had a single and Justin Morneau had a triple for the Twins, who have lost 14 of their last 17.

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