Getting closer to normal
A semblance of order and familiarity has been restored to the AL East. For the second straight day, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees posted victories and picked up ground on the Tampa Bay Rays.
It's still unusual to see perennial cellar-dwelling Tampa Bay atop the powerhouses who share their division, but the race tightened a bit Wednesday when the Yankees edged the Rays 2-1 in 10 innings at New York and Boston moved within two games of the lead with an 18-5 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Both the Yankees and Red Sox trimmed a game off their deficits on Tuesday, too, when New York started its two-game series sweep of the Rays.
"They know we're still around. They know that," Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said after New York closed to six games behind the Rays, who still own the best record in the majors (55-35).
Sidney Ponson limited Tampa Bay to one run in six innings, and Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and Rivera (4-3) combined for hitless relief.
Bobby Abreu fouled off four straight fastballs from Grant Balfour in the 10th, took a ball, and then doubled home Derek Jeter from first by lining a changeup in the gap in right-center.
"This is no time to be in any state of emergency," said Rays starter Edwin Jackson, who allowed a run and six hits in 6Z\c innings.
Tampa Bay has lost three in a row for the first time since the Rays were swept at Boston from June 3-5. They were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, dropping to 2-for-28 (.071) during the skid.
The Red Sox used some good fortune to turn a tight game into a rout of the Twins.
Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run double, and Boston scored seven times in the seventh inning — all the runs coming after a triple play was wiped out — to complete a three-game sweep of Minnesota.
Tigers 8, Indians 6
At Detroit, Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and the Tigers rallied from an early six-run deficit and sent Cleveland to its 10th straight loss.
Blue Jays 9, Orioles 8
At Toronto, Alex Rios and David Eckstein drove in two runs apiece and A.J. Burnett won for the third time in four starts for the host Blue Jays.
White Sox 7, Royals 6
At Kansas City, Mo., Carlos Quentin hit two two-run homers and Chicago rallied from a five-run deficit, scoring the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning balk.
Rangers 5, Angels 4
At Arlington, Texas, Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth off major league saves leader Francisco Rodriguez (0-2), who gave up three runs in only his third blown chance this year in 38 chances.
It was Hamilton's 20th homer, and his first since June 17. Hamilton leads the majors with 89 RBI. Jamey Wright (5-3), the fourth Texas pitcher, worked two scoreless innings for the win.
Mariners 6, Athletics 4
At Oakland, Calif., Jose Lopez hit a three-run double, Adrian Beltre drove in two runs and Seattle ended a three-game slide.
