Rays still lead East
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are set for another big series at Fenway Park this weekend. Once again, it could go a long way toward deciding who makes the playoffs.
As the wild card, if the Rays keep playing like this.
Ben Zobrist homered and drove in two runs — then was rewarded by getting shipped back to the minors — and James Shields pitched into the ninth inning, helping the AL East-leading Rays beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 Wednesday.
The win kept the Rays a half-game in front of the Red Sox, who needed 12 innings to beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3. And despite winning six in a row and 10 straight at home, the Yankees are still 3Z\x games back in the division after a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.
"It was important to get deep into the game," said Shields, who gave up seven hits and all three runs while striking out seven in 8Z\c innings. "I knew our team was going to eventually score some runs."
Red Sox 6, Mariners 3
At Seattle, Mike Lowell hit a two-run single off Sean Green (2-3) in the 12th inning, and the Red Sox took advantage of two outfield errors for their first sweep at Seattle in 15 years.
Jonathan Papelbon (4-3), pitching a third consecutive day, escaped a jam of his own creation in the 11th inning. Craig Hansen worked the 12th for his second save in four chances.
Yankees 5, Twins 1
At New York, Mike Mussina (13-6) baffled the Twins for eight innings, Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run double and the Yankees won their 10th straight at home.
The 10-game winning streak at home is the Yankees' longest since Sept. 9, 1998, to April 14, 1999. They last won 10 in a row at home in a single season from July 26-Aug. 14, 1998.
Tigers 7, Royals 1
At Kansas City, Mo., Armando Galarraga (8-4) carried a perfect game into the seventh inning, Miguel Cabrera drove in three runs and the Tigers wrapped up a three-game sweep.
White Sox 10, Rangers 8
At Chicago, Carlos Quentin hit two home runs, including the go-ahead, three-run shot during a five-run eighth inning to help the White Sox rally.
Octavio Dotel (4-4) pitched the eighth, and Bobby Jenks worked the ninth for his 19th save.
Angels 14, Indians 11
At Anaheim, Calif., Jeff Mathis had four hits with a career-high six RBI, including his first grand slam in the majors, and Casey Kotchman had a career-best five hits for the Angels.
Blue Jays 2, Orioles 1
At Baltimore, the game between the Blue Jays and Orioles was suspended after a delay of more than 90 minutes, and will resume today with two outs in the top of the sixth.
The teams will then play the finale of the four-game series.
