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Twins earn three-game sweep over Chicago

Torii Hunter walked with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, forcing in the winning run and lifting the Minnesota Twins over the struggling Chicago White Sox 7-6 for a three-game sweep on Wednesday.

The Twins handed the White Sox their fourth straight loss and moved past Chicago into third place in the American League Central Division after rallying from a 6-1 deficit after two and a half innings against Jon Garland.

Facing Mike MacDougal (1-2) in the ninth, Jason Tyner drew a one-out walk and moved to second when Nick Punto hit a chopper to Paul Konerko for a possible double play. Konerko's throw appeared to graze Tyner before hitting shortstop Alex Cintron in the right knee for an error on the first baseman.

Cintron fielded Michael Cuddyer's grounder deep in the hole, but his throw to second was not in time to force Punto. Boone Logan came in, and Justin Morneau popped out behind the plate on the first pitch.

David Aardsma was summoned from the bullpen to face Hunter, who walked on four pitches to end the game.

Athletics 6, Rangers 1

At Oakland, California, Dan Haren won his sixth straight decision and Dan Johnson drove in three runs for Oakland.

Haren (6-2) lowered his ERA to an AL-leading 1.64. He gave up four hits in eight innings and kept Sammy Sosa in check, too.

Sosa went 0-for-4 and remained two home runs from becoming the fifth major league player to reach the 600 mark.

Texas called up John Koronka (0-2) to pitch -- the second straight game the Rangers went to the minors for their starter.

Yankees 7, Blue Jays 5

At Toronto, Alex Rodriguez helped New York end a five-game losing streak with his bat -- and his mouth, apparently.

Rodriguez appeared to distract Toronto third baseman Howie Clark on a key popup late in the game, touching off arguments all over the field.

Rodriguez hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth that made it 7-5. Jorge Posada followed with a high pop and Rodriguez ran hard, cutting between Clark and shortstop John McDonald.

It seemed as if Rodriguez said something, and Clark backed off at the last second. McDonald was only a few steps behind Clark, but couldn't make the catch and the ball dropped for an RBI single.

New York took a quick lead against rookie Jesse Litsch (1-2), scoring five times in the first inning.

Yankees rookie Tyler Clippard (2-1) gave up three runs and four hits over five innings.

Indians 8, Red Sox 4

At Boston, Paul Byrd won his fifth straight decision and extended his streak without issuing a walk to 43 innings, and Cleveland came from behind for a win.

The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Boston (36-16), which has the best record in the majors.

Boston led 2-0 after four innings, but Cleveland tied the game in the fifth and went ahead 6-2 in the sixth against Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-3). Kelly Shoppach, who hit a solo homer in the eighth, had a career-high four of the Indians' season-high 18 hits.

Byrd (6-1) threw first-pitch strikes to 25 of 27 batters.

In other American League action on Wednesday it was:

* Orioles 3, Royals 0

* Angels 8, Mariners 6

* Devil Rays 5, Tigers 3

Brian McCann hit a go-ahead, three-run double in a seven-run eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves beat Milwaukee 9-3 to send the Brewers to their seventh loss in eight games on Wednesday.

Tim Hudson (6-3) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings for the Braves, who trailed 2-1 before rallying.

Kelly Johnson was 3-for-4 with his seventh home run and two RBIs for the Braves.

Milwaukee, which had taken the lead in the seventh on a run-scoring wild pitch, has lost 14 of 19 following a 24-10 start. The National League Central Division leader has dropped six consecutive series.

Phillies 4, Diamondbacks 3

At Philadelphia, Randy Johnson returned from tendinitis to toss one-hit, shutout ball over six innings, and Eric Byrnes homered twice to lead Arizona to a win.

Johnson (3-2) missed his last start with tendinitis in his forearm, though it was tough to tell anything was ever bothering him. He allowed Pat Burrell's single in the second, walked none and struck out six.

Philadelphia rallied off Arizona's bullpen in the ninth, with a two-run triple by Jimmy Rollins and an RBI single by Burrell.

But pinch-hitter Ryan Howard lined into a double play to give Jose Valverde his 19th save.

Giants 3, Mets 0

At New York, Barry Zito outpitched Tom Glavine over seven sharp innings and San Francisco snapped a four-game losing streak.

Pedro Feliz drove in three runs and Rich Aurilia tied a career high with four hits for the Giants.

Glavine (5-3) went seven innings but was denied in his second attempt at career win No. 296. Paul Lo Duca led off the seventh with a double for his 1,000th career hit.

Zito (5-5) struck out a season-high seven against New York, holding it to six hits and one walk.

Barry Bonds returned to the lineup for the Giants.

In other National League action on Wednesday it was:

* Padres 9, Pirates 0

* Dodgers 5, Nationals 0

* Reds 4, Astros 3

* Cardinals 8, Rockies 4
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