Carl Everett and Aaron Rowand had RBI singles in the ninth off Dodgers closer Yhency Brazoban. The loss was a season-high fifth straight for Los Angeles, and it spoiled an impressive return by Elmer Dessens.
Dessens, who hadn't pitched since April 19 because of a bone spur in his right shoulder, gave up only an unearned run and two hits in six innings. Duaner Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the lead, but Brazoban (2-2) couldn't hold it.
Rangers 7, Nationals 4
At Arlington, Texas, Mark Teixeira hit two of Texas' four home runs -- all in the first two innings -- and the Rangers beat the Nationals.
Teixeira had a two-run homer in each of the first two innings, and later added a double. His second homer of the game and 19th of the season gave the Rangers a 7-0 lead against Tony Armas (3-4).
Alfonso Soriano and Gary Matthews Jr. also connected for Texas, which has won five of six since a season-long five-game losing streak. Teixeira had his third multihomer game this season and the seventh of his career. He and Soriano are tied with three other players for the major league lead with 19 homers.
Ricardo Rodriguez (2-0) pitched into the eighth, allowing three runs and six hits.
Mariners 4, Mets 1
At Seattle, the Mariners beat Pedro Martinez for the first time in 14 starts, scoring all of their runs in the fourth inning in a victory over the New York Mets.
Martinez (7-2) allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings, falling to 13-1 all-time against the Mariners. He had been 6-0 with a 0.77 ERA at Safeco Field, and was holding Seattle to a .164 batting average in his career.
Ryan Franklin (3-8) allowed a run and five hits in eight innings to win for the first time since May 8 in Boston.
Eddie Guardado pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 20 chances. He is tied with Cleveland's Bob Wickman for the AL lead.
Kevin Brown went on the disabled list for the 13th time in his career on Saturday, and rookie Sean Henn will take his next turn in the New York Yankees' rotation.
Brown, who has chronic back trouble, left Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh in the fifth inning because of back spasms, and the move to put him on the disabled list was backdated to Thursday. He started the season on the DL because of a back strain, was activated April 17, and went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA.
The 40-year-old righty missed seven weeks last June and July because of a strained lower back and an intestinal parasite. He returned, then broke his non-pitching hand when he punched a clubhouse wall and sat out most of September.
Henn was to start on Monday when the Yankees open a series against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He will combine with Wang Chien-ming (
Henn made his major league debut at Tampa Bay on May 4 when Randy Johnson had a stiff groin. Henn, 24, allowed six runs, seven hits and two walks in 2 1-3 innings, throwing 72 pitches. Tampa Bay won 11-8, leaving Henn 0-1 with a 19.29 ERA.
RSS