Orioles Close Gap On Yanks, Chisox

American League

The Baltimore Orioles gained ground in both the A.L. East and the wild-card race Monday night, rallying from a four-run deficit to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 in Baltimore.

Todd Zeile marked his 31st birthday with a three-run homer as the Orioles moved within 2-1/2 games of the idle New York Yankees in the A.L. East, the closest they’ve been since June 20.

Baltimore’s 27th win in 42 games also cut idle Chicago’s wild-card lead to a half-game.

Rangers 4, Blue Jays 3

Toronto

Texas matched the biggest lead in team history, extending its edge in the A.L. West to eight games with a win over Toronto.

Mickey Tettleton’s go-ahead double in the sixth inning sent the Rangers to their fifth straight victory.

Indians 4, Angels 3

Cleveland

Cleveland scored two runs on Albert Belle’s sacrifice fly and an error on the play in the eighth inning to beat California.

Brewers 6, Red Sox 0

Boston

Scott Karl pitched a six-hitter for his first major league shutout and Milwaukee hurt Boston’s wild-card chances.

The Red Sox had won 26 of 35 games before two weekend losses at Chicago. Their third straight loss dropped them five games behind the White Sox.

Clearing the bases

Mike Greenwell of the Red Sox, who drove in nine runs in one game against Seattle, was picked as player of the week. … The Detroit Tigers have homered in 20 of their last 22 games.