AL Roundup: Kansas City Beats Boston

BOSTON - David DeJesus hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning as Kansas City rallied from an early four-run deficit to knock Boston out of sole possession of first place in the AL East with an 8-6 victory Thursday night.

David Ortiz hit his 300th career homer for Boston, which fell to 3-4 on its 10-game homestand. The loss, coupled with New York's 6-4 victory over Minnesota, has the teams tied.

Luke Hochevar (5-3) won for the fifth time in seven starts, despite allowing nine hits and five runs in six innings. Joakim Soria recorded four outs for his 14th save.

Mark Teahen and Willie Bloomquist both had three hits, and Alberto Callaspo had two RBI doubles for the Royals, who beat Boston for the sixth time in its last 23 tries at Fenway Park.

Justin Masterson (3-3) took the loss as Boston's bullpen allowed five runs in four innings after starter Brad Penny was staked to a 5-3 lead after five innings.
Mariners 3, Rangers 1

At Seattle, Franklin Gutierrez hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning for the Mariners.

Ichiro Suzuki, who had three hits to raise his major league-leading average to .361, opened the eighth with a single off C.J. Wilson (4-4). After two outs, Ken Griffey. Jr. walked and Gutierrez homered to center field.

Felix Hernandez (9-3), heading to his first All-Star game, went eight innings, allowing one run and three hits, striking out seven and walking two.

David Aardsma worked the ninth for his 18th save in 20 opportunities.

Rangers rookie Tommy Hunter, making his seventh major league start, went six innings, allowing four hits, walking three and striking out four.
Rays 3, Blue Jays 2

At St. Petersburg, rookie David Price outpitched Roy Halladay, and Carlos Pena snapped a fifth-inning tie with a two-run double that helped Tampa Bay to a three-game sweep.

Price (3-3) allowed one run and six hits in six innings as the AL champions beat Halladay for the second time in 11 days. The Blue Jays have lost 10 of 12 and fallen below .500 for the first time this season.

Halladay (10-3) pitched for the first time since Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said he's willing to listen to trade offers for the five-time All-Star.
Yankees 6, Twins 4

At Minneapolis, Mark Teixeira ended a 23-game homerless drought and New York completed a season sweep of the Twins.

Teixeira connected on the first pitch of the fifth inning. It was his 21st homer of the season and first in 96 at-bats, dating to June 12 against the Mets.

Mariano Rivera picked up his 23rd save for the Yankees, who have won eight straight on the road and beat the Twins all seven times they met this season.

Francisco Liriano (4-9) gave up six runs — three earned — on seven hits in 5 1-3 innings for the Twins, who have lost 18 of their past 24 games against the Yankees.

Jonathan Albaladejo (4-1) pitched 1 2-3 hitless innings for the win.
Indians 10, White Sox 8

At Chicago, Kelly Shoppach hit a grand slam and had a career-high five RBIs, while five Cleveland relievers combined for 4 2-3 scoreless innings to preserve the early lead.

Tony Sipp (1-0), who retired the only two batters he faced, earned his first major league win. Kerry Wood got four outs for his 11th save.

Ryan Garko had four hits, two runs scored and an RBI for the Indians, who won for only the sixth time in 23 games since June 13.

Chicago pitchers combined to walk 10 batters and hit another. The White Sox also made two errors in losing for just the third time in their last 12 games.

Clayton Richard (3-3) gave up six runs in one-plus inning.