Indians 8, White Sox 0
At Chicago, Scott Elarton pitched five-hit ball into the eighth inning and Hafner homered twice, helping Cleveland move 2 1/2 games behind first-place Chicago in the AL Central after taking two of three in the crucial series.
The Indians, who trailed by 15 games on Aug. 1, won for the 14th time in 16 tries.
Hafner, who has homered in four straight games, hit a long three-run shot to center off Jon Garland (17-10) in the eighth to quiet a loud sellout crowd of 36,543. He added a two-run shot off Jeff Bajenaru in the ninth, giving him a career-high 30 for the season and 100 RBIs.
The Indians maintained the AL wild-card lead while also putting more pressure on the White Sox, who've been in first place every day this season, but have lost nine of 13.
Elarton (11-7) won his fourth straight start.
Angels 6, Rangers 5
At Anaheim, California, Pinch-hitter Jose Molina drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a single in a four-run seventh inning and Los Angeles rallied to beat Texas for its their fifth straight victory. The Angels increased their lead in the AL West to 2.5 games over Oakland.
Barry Bonds homered for the fourth consecutive game to raise his career total to 707, and San Francisco starter Brad Hennessey hit a solo shot while winning for the first time in 10 outings, leading the Giants past the Washington Nationals 5-1 on Wednesday.
The Giants have won five straight to hold onto an outside chance of catching the National League West-leading San Diego Padres. Washington lost its fourth straight. Bonds connected for a two-run homer in the first inning on a 1-1 pitch from John Patterson (9-6), sending it into the visitors' bullpen beyond right field.
Hennessey (5-8) hit his second homer, with the other coming July 28 at Milwaukee -- the last time the right-hander earned a victory. He gave up one run and three hits over 7 2-3 innings, striking out four.
Other games
The Cardinals defeated the Reds 5-1 at Cincinnati, the Astros defeated the Pirates 12-8 at Pittsburgh, and New York jolted Florida's slender wild-card hopes with a 5-4 defeat.
At Denver, the Padres beat the Rockies 5-2, while the Brewers defeated the Cubs 7-6 at Milwaukee. The Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 3-2 at Phoenix.
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