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Wang takes Yankees to fifth in a row

New York Yankees starting pitcher Wang Chien-ming of Taiwan winds up against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday. PHOTO: EPA

Derek Jeter had four hits, New York batted around in both the first and second innings and the Yankees extended their winning streak to five as they beat the Royals 9-4 on Tuesday.

Wang Chien-ming (王建民) of Taiwan, (11-5) won for the eighth time in nine decisions, backed by another stellar night from New York's offense. The Yankees have scored 63 runs in a five-game span for the first time since July 26-29, 1931, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. New York put a runner on base in 24 consecutive innings before Joel Peralta pitched a perfect eighth.

New York (53-46), a season-best seven games over .500, has won 10 of 12 -- against Tampa Bay, Toronto and Kansas City -- and pulled within 4.5 games of Cleveland, the AL wild card leader. New York stayed 7.5 games back of AL East-leading Boston.

Scott Elarton (2-4) gave up seven runs and six hits in one-and-two-third innings, his ERA rising from 9.17 to 10.46.

Hours after announcing he plans to retire at the end of this season, Craig Biggio capped a six-run sixth inning with a tiebreaking grand slam that led the Houston Astros over the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4 on Tuesday night.

Biggio, a 20-year veteran who reached 3,000 hits on June 28, connected off Rudy Seanez (6-2) for his fourth slam, his second this season.

Biggio was given a standing ovation before he came to the plate leading off the bottom of the first inning.

He also singled in the fifth and went 2-for-5. With 3,016 hits, he moved within four of Rafael Palmeiro for 23rd place.

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