AL | Orioles beat Boston; Angels top Rangers

BOSTON - Nick Markakis and Melvin Mora had four hits apiece and Brian Burres pitched five innings for his first major-league victory as the Baltimore Orioles won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Boston Red Sox, 6-3, last night.

Markakis singled to start a three-run rally that broke a fifth-inning tie, and the Orioles got help when Red Sox rightfielder Wily Mo Pena misplayed two consecutive balls: One went over his head for an RBI ground-rule double; the other glanced off his glove for a run-scoring two-base error that made it 5-2.

Burres (1-1) allowed two runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking five - including David Ortiz three times. Four relievers bridged the gap to Chris Ray, who pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save.

Julian Tavarez (1-4), who is Boston's fifth starter and was outspoken in his opposition to the team's attempts to sign Roger Clemens, gave up five runs, four earned, on 10 hits while striking out two in five innings.

Angels 6, Rangers 3

ARLINGTON, Texas - John Lackey pitched into the ninth inning before departing after Sammy Sosa's 596th career homer, and Los Angeles beat Texas.

Lackey, a native of Abilene, Texas, struck out seven and walked one to even his career record against the Rangers to 8-8.

Michael Young broke up Lackey's bid for his sixth career shutout with an RBI double, and Sosa added a two-run drive for his eighth of the season. Scot Shields replaced Lackey (5-3) and got the last two outs.

Tigers 7, Twins 3

MINNEAPOLIS - Detroit has been unbeatable with Mike Maroth on the mound. Maroth allowed one run in 62/3 innings and Carlos Guillen homered and drove in four runs to help the Tigers get past Minnesota.

Detroit has won all seven of Maroth's starts this season, and the Tigers have won 10 of their last 11 games to jump into first place in the AL Central.

White Sox 2, Royals 1

CHICAGO - Jon Garland held the Royals without a run for eight innings, as Chicago beat Kansas City.

Blue Jays 5, Devil Rays 1

TORONTO - A.J. Burnett struck out a season-high 10 to win for the first time in three starts, and Toronto ended a nine-game losing streak.