American LeagueJohan Santana struck out 11 in Minnesota's 12-1 victory over the Tigers on Sunday, pitching two-hit ball into the seventh inning and pulling the Twins within two games of first-place Detroit in Major League Baseball's American League Central Division.
Indians 5, White Sox 2
In Chicago, Victor Martinez hit a tiebreaking homer in the ninth inning, C.C. Sabathia pitched a four-hitter and Cleveland beat Chicago to split a four-game series. The White Sox remained 3 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central.
Athletics 9, Devil Rays 7
In St. Petersburg, Florida, Frank Thomas homered for the fifth consecutive game and drove in three runs to help AL West-leading Oakland beat Tampa Bay. Eric Chavez hit a two-run shot and had a tiebreaking RBI double off Shawn Camp (7-3) that made it 7-6 in the seventh. Marco Scutaro added an eighth-inning homer. Nick Swisher connected earlier.
Angels 4, Blue Jays 3
In Anaheim, California, Jered Weaver struck out Troy Glaus with the bases loaded to help preserve his 11th victory, and Los Angeles took advantage of a first-inning injury to Toronto ace Roy Halladay.
Yankees 9, Orioles 4
In Baltimore, Derek Jeter extended his career-high hitting streak to 20 games, going 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs to lead New York over Baltimore.
Red Sox 9, Royals 3
In Boston, David Ortiz hit his career-best 48th homer and Wily Mo Pena drove in two runs to help Boston snap a three-game skid with a win over Kansas City. The Red Sox avoided being swept at home by the Royals for the first time since April 1996. Boston remained 7 1/2 games behind Minnesota in the wild-card race.
Rangers 4, Mariners 2
In Seattle, Michael Young got three hits and drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning to help Texas beat Seattle and end a three-game losing streak.
C.J. Wilson (2-2) earned the win and Akinori Otsuka worked the ninth for his 32nd save in 35 chances. The loss ended the Mariners' four-game winning streak.
National League
Dontrelle Willis threw a three-hitter and struck out a career-best 12 in his first shutout of the season, carrying the Florida Marlins to a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday and earning them a split of a four-game series between NL wild-card hopefuls.
Willis (10-11) retired his last 13 batters and never allowed a runner to advance past second in his eighth career shutout. He threw 80 of his 122 pitches for strikes and walked only one.
Brewers 4, Astros 0
In Milwaukee, Dave Bush pitched a five-hitter and struck out a season-high 10 in his third career shutout, leading the Brewers past the Astros.
It was the second shutout this season for Bush (11-10), who earned his fifth win since Aug. 1. He has three complete games this year and six in his career.
Dodgers 9, Mets 1
In New York, Eric Stults pitched with unusual poise for a 26-year-old making his first Major League Baseball start, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a big September boost.
Reds 4, Pirates 2
In Cincinnati, Bronson Arroyo pitched eight solid innings for his third straight win and Brandon Phillips drove in the go-ahead run to help the Reds beat the Pirates.
Arroyo (13-9) allowed four hits and two runs with no walks and seven strikeouts.
Braves 2, Cubs 1
In Atlanta, Lance Cormier pitched seven solid innings and struck out a career-high 10, and Brian McCann doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth to help the Braves hand the Cubs their ninth straight road loss.
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