Thursday’s games

Rangers 5, Athletics 4: At Arlington, Texas, Hank Blalock’s solo homer and David Dellucci’s two-run double rallied Texas in the ninth inning, and the Rangers beat Oakland to complete a three-game sweep that moved them within two games of the West leaders.

Yankees 7, Devil Rays 3: At New York, Derek Jeter hit a leadoff homer, Jon Lieber pitched into the eighth and the Yankees clinched their 10th consecutive trip to the postseason with a victory over Tampa Bay.

Indians 9, Twins 7: At Cleveland, Cliff Lee won for the second time since July 16 and rookie Grady Sizemore hit a two-run homer, leading the Indians to a win over Minnesota.

Orioles 9, Red Sox 7: At Boston, David Newhan caught David Ortiz’s bid for a three-run homer at the edge of the warning track for the final out, and Baltimore hung on for a win that dropped the Red Sox 4 1/2 games behind the Yankees going into this weekend’s Fenway Park showdown. Miguel Tejada hit a three-run homer for the Orioles, Todd Williams (2-0) pitched a perfect seventh and the Baltimore bullpen pitched 41/3 scoreless innings, retiring 11 straight, before Boston’s final comeback attempt.

White Sox 7, Royals 6: At Chicago, Joe Crede hit a game-winning three-run shot in the ninth — his second homer in two innings — to lead the White Sox to a victory over Kansas City. Aaron Rowand and Ross Gload also homered for Chicago, which has won three consecutive games. Damaso Marte (6-5) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory. Medical Lake’s Jeremy Affeldt took the loss.