American League
Miguel Tejada homered and had three hits Monday as the Oakland Athletics tied Seattle for the American League West lead by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 8-6.
"If would have said to me a week ago that we would be tied, I would have said you were crazy," Oakland's Chavez said.
The Athletics share first place for the first time since May 15. They have won three straight games and at 76-55 are a season-high 21 games over .500.
"Now we're hitting the way we're supposed to be hitting," Tejada said.
Terrence Long went 4-for-5 for the A's, also are tied with Boston in the AL wild-card race. Ted Lilly (7-9) won for the first time in five starts since July 25, allowing three runs -- two earned -- and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings. Keith Foulke got five outs for his 34th save.
Cory Lidle (11-1), activated from the disabled list before the game, gave up seven runs and nine hits in four-plus innings against his former team. Lidle (11-11) hadn't pitched since Aug. 7 because of a strained left groin.
Yankees 5, Orioles 2
In New York, Alfonso Soriano hit his team-record 10th leadoff homer, had four hits and drove in three runs as New York defeated Baltimore.
New York has won nine of its past 11 games, maintaining a five-game lead over Boston in the AL East. Andy Pettitte (16-7) allowed one run and 10 hits in 6 2-3 innings, improving to 18-4 against Baltimore.
Larry Bigbie homered, singled twice and drove in both of Baltimore's runs. But the Orioles made three errors that led to three unearned runs and had a pair of passed balls.
Red Sox 8, Mariners 1
In Boston, Pedro Martinez, back from a throat infection that forced him to miss his last game, allowed one run and six hits in six innings as Boston beat Seattle to complete a four-game sweep and extend its winning streak to five.
David Ortiz had a home run and four RBIs to back Martinez's 12th consecutive victory over Seattle.
Gil Meche (13-10) allowed seven runs on nine hits in 4 1-3 innings for his third consecutive loss. Seattle has lost a season-high six straight games.
National League
Livan Hernandez scattered eight hits in his league-leading seventh complete game Monday, while Vladimir Guerrero drove in four runs to lead the Montreal Expos over the Philadelphia Phillies 12-1.
Hernandez (14-7) struck out nine and walked one in his 30th career complete game, improving to 4-0 in five August starts.
Randy Wolf (12-9) gave up nine runs and six hits in 1 2-3 innings, the shortest of 137 career starts.
Brewers 10, Reds 6
In Cincinnati, Geoff Jenkins hit a two-run homer and Bill Hall homered and drove in three runs as Milwaukee downed Cincinnati.
Milwaukee stretched a winning streak to seven for the first time since July 25 to Aug. 1, 1997, when the Brewers were still in the American League.
Hall had a career-high four hits, and Wes Helms and Mark Smith also homered.
Matt Kinney (9-9) allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings, struck out seven and walked none.
RSS