A.L. Thursday’s games

Athletics 7, Rangers 6: Adam Melhuse hit a tie-breaking RBI single in the eighth and Erubiel Durazo went 3 for 4 and drove in a big insurance run to give visiting Oakland a victory over Texas and first place in the West Division. Mark McLemore homered for the first time since May 23, 2003, and drove in three runs to help Oakland win its sixth straight and move past Texas and into first for the first time since July 6.

Devil Rays 2, Royals 0: Rob Bell and three relievers combined on a four-hitter, and Tino Martinez had three hits and an RBI to lead host Tampa Bay over Kansas City. Bell (4-4) struck out three and walked two in 661/3 scoreless innings in the Devil Rays’ third straight win following a six-game losing streak.

Orioles 9, Yankees 1: Sidney Ponson shut down the team that pounded him by pitching a four-hitter and Javy Lopez homered again, leading visiting Baltimore over New York. Melvin Mora drove in four runs, Lopez had three RBIs and Miguel Tejada hit a pair of RBI singles for Baltimore. The Orioles won for just the second time in 10 games against the Yankees this season.

Tigers 3, White Sox 2: Jason Johnson allowed three hits over six innings and host Detroit beat Chicago, the White Sox’s fifth straight loss. Johnson (8-8) allowed both runs to get his fourth win in five decisions. Four relievers gave up two hits over the last three innings for Detroit with Ugueth Urbina pitching a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 18 chances.