Saturday’s games
American League
Athletics 5, Twins 2: Jay Payton hit a three-run homer to lead Oakland over visiting Minnesota for its major-league leading 23rd win since the All-Star Break. Kirk Saarloos (8-6) gave up six hits over six innings to win his third straight decision as the A’s remained tied for the A.L. West lead.
Yankees 7, Rangers 5 (11): Bernie Williams hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning as New York overcame Mariano Rivera’s first blown save in more than four months to beat visiting Texas. Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield each homered and drove in two runs for the Yankees.
Orioles 1, Blue Jays 0: John Maine pitched five scoreless innings to earn his first major league win, Miguel Tejada singled in a third-inning run, and Baltimore ended Toronto’s four-game winning streak by winning in Baltimore.
Red Sox 7, White Sox 4: David Ortiz went 3 for 4, stringing together seven consecutive hits over two days, and Tim Wakefield cruised into the seventh inning as Boston won its sixth straight by beating visiting Chicago.
Devil Rays 8, Indians 2: Jorge Cantu hit two of Tampa Bay’s season-high five homers, and Seth McClung overcame a long rain delay to pitch shutout ball into the sixth inning as Tampa Bay won in Cleveland.
Tigers at Royals, ppd.: The game between the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals was postponed by rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.
National league
Marlins 2, Giants 1: Josh Beckett pitched a four-hitter and Carlos Delgado came off the disabled list to hit a go-ahead homer as Florida beat visiting San Francisco.
Cardinals 5, Cubs 2: Chris Carpenter pitched a complete game to become the first 17-game winner in the major leagues, and Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer as St. Louis won in Chicago.
Mets 5, Dodgers 1: Jae Seo pitched eight sharp innings and New York got consecutive home runs from backup catcher Ramon Castro and emergency center fielder Gerald Williams to win in Los Angeles.
Braves 9, Diamondbacks 5: Chipper Jones had three hits, including a go-ahead double in the seventh inning, and Julio Franco drove in four runs to lead Atlanta past visiting Arizona.
Reds 4, Brewers 1: Ryan Freel hit a two-run triple with two outs in the seventh as Cincinnati beat Milwaukee to win its 10th straight road game and fifth overall.
Pirates 1, Astros 0: Roger Clemens was foiled again by a lack of run support, and Jack Wilson homered off Brad Lidge in the ninth inning to give Pittsburgh a win in Houston.
Nationals 8, Rockies 0: Tony Armas Jr. allowed nine hits in six innings, and Nick Johnson had three hits and two RBIs to lead Washington to a win in Denver.
Phillies 5, Padres 2: Ryan Howard’s go-ahead RBI single was the third straight Philadelphia hit off Trevor Hoffman opening the ninth inning as the Phillies won in San Diego.