AL | Ninth-inning action helps Bosox, A's, Rangers win

BOSTON - Jason Varitek and Eric Hinske scored when closer Chris Ray dropped the ball at first base on what could have been a game-ending groundout, and the Boston Red Sox rallied for six runs in the ninth inning to beat the Baltimore Orioles, 6-5, yesterday.

Jeremy Guthrie carried a three-hit shutout into the ninth and came within two outs of his first career complete game. But he was lifted after catcher Ramon Hernandez dropped Coco Crisp's pop-up near the third-base line for an error, and the Red Sox took advantage.

Ray (3-3) had his third blown save of the season. J.C. Romero (1-0) got the win.

Athletics 10, Indians 7

OAKLAND, Calif. - Jack Cust's fifth homer in four games capped a five-run ninth inning that helped Oakland Athletics rally to beat Cleveland.

Joe Borowski retired the first two batters of the ninth and got an 0-2 count on Eric Chavez with the Indians leading by 7-5. But Chavez singled and Milton Bradley tied the score with his second homer this season.

Dan Johnson and Bobby Crosby followed with consecutive singles that knocked out Borowski (0-2).

Jay Witasick (1-0) got the win.

Rangers 7, Angels 6

ARLINGTON, Texas - Nelson Cruz hit a solo homer off Scot Shields (0-2) with one out in the ninth inning to give Texas the win over Los Angeles.

Eric Gagne (1-0) worked a scoreless ninth. Ian Kinsler, Hank Blalock and Brad Wilkerson also homered for the Rangers.

Gary Matthews Jr. homered twice and drove in four runs for the Angels against his former team. Shea Hillenbrand and Mike Napoli hit consecutive homers in the fourth for Los Angeles.

Angels reliever Hector Carrasco and manager Mike Scioscia were ejected in the seventh by plate umpire Alfonso Marquez after Carrasco hit Kinsler with a pitch with the score tied at 6.

Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit had plunked Matthews in the top of the seventh. Marquez did not issue a warning to the dugouts after Matthews was hit.

Devil Rays 2, Blue Jays 1

TORONTO - Carlos Pena got the Devil Rays' first hit with a tiebreaking home run off Jason Frasor in the seventh inning, and Tampa Bay beat Toronto.

Making his first start this year after 13 relief appearances, Shaun Marcum took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but was lifted after after 78 pitches.

Frasor (1-2) took the loss, while Jae Seo (2-3) was nearly as sharp as Marcum, giving up two hits and striking out seven in seven innings.

Twins 16, Tigers 4

MINNEAPOLIS - Torii Hunter homered twice and drove in a career-high seven runs as Minnesota ended a four-game losing streak with a win over Detroit and ruined Virgil Vasquez's debut.

Royals 11, White Sox 1

CHICAGO - David DeJesus tied a career high with four hits and Jorge De La Rosa (4-3) pitched seven sharp innings as Kansas City beat Chicago.

Mariners 2, Yankees 1

SEATTLE - Horacio Ramirez pitched effectively into the seventh inning and four relievers stymied New York to preserve a victory for Seattle.