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Twins hit five in the ninth to stun Rays

New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana delivers a pitch to Kory Casto of the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning of their National League game in Washington on Thursday. PHOTO: AP

AMERICAN LEAGUE

The Minnesota Twins piled on five runs in the ninth inning to rally for an 11-8 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, closing in on the leadership of the American League Central division.

The Twins moved within one-and-a-half games of Chicago, while the Rays saw their lead in the American League East sliced to the same margin over Boston.

Evan Longoria hit three home runs for Tampa Bay, the first of which contributed to a five-run first inning.

He added solo shots in the fourth and seventh, appearing to have keyed another Rays victory, but the Twins came roaring back. Alexi Casilla hit a two-run homer that tied the game 8-8 and set Minnesota’s winning rally.

YANKEES 9, WHITE SOX 2

In New York, stumbling Chicago fell to defeat at out-of-contention New York.

With 10 games to play, the White Sox are coming under sustained pressure from Minnesota in their divisional race, which will likely be decided by their three-game series next week.

Bobby Abreu homered twice for the Yankees and drove in six runs, while starter Mike Mussina kept up his hopes for a 20-win season.

Mussina earned his 18th victory of the season for his 268th career win, tying Hall of Famer Jim Palmer for 33rd on the career list. He gave up just one run in six-plus innings.

ANGELS 6, ATHLETICS 4

In Oakland, California, Los Angeles hit three consecutive homers in a span of just four pitches in the seventh inning, sinking Oakland.

Kendry Morales, Mike Napoli and Brandon Wood all connected off Keith Foulke to record the Angels’ first instance of three straight homers since 2004.

The A’s failed in their bid for a season-best five straight victories. Oakland were held scoreless until the final inning, when they loaded the bases with no outs. Four runs came against one out, but the final two batters were retired.

BLUE JAYS 3, ORIOLES 2

In Toronto, pinch-hitter Gregg Zaun doubled home the tying and go-ahead runs in the sixth inning as Toronto edged Baltimore.

The last-place Orioles have lost 19 of 22 games and dropped their past nine series. Baltimore are 2-17 in their past 19 one-run games.

Jose Bautista homered for the Blue Jays.

ROYALS 12, MARINERS 0

In Kansas City, Missouri, the home team completed their first four-game sweep of Seattle for 19 years.

Zack Greinke combined with two relievers on a three-hitter and Mike Aviles hit a three-run homer.

The Royals led 9-0 after four innings, setting up what was the Royals first four-game sweep of any opponent for three years.

Kansas City’s seven successive wins are their longest streak since winning their first nine games in the 2003 season.



NATIONAL LEAGUE

AP, CHICAGO

A tying three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning set up the Chicago Cubs’ dramatic 7-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, putting them closer to clinching the National League Central division.

Geovany Soto hit the tying long-shot and Derrek Lee singled in the winning run in the 12th inning, putting the Cubs 9 games ahead of the Brewers with only 11 games to play.

Milwaukee’s form slump and this crushing defeat leaves them one-and-a-half games behind wild-card holders New York.

The Brewers took a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth before Chicago staged an improbable four-run rally with two outs.

PHILLIES 4, BRAVES 3

In Atlanta, Georgia, Philadelphia edged Atlanta to complete an unprecedented road sweep of the Braves and maintain their lead in the National League East.

The Phillies stayed half-a-game ahead of New York in the East and moved two games above potential wild-card rivals Milwaukee.

Pat Burrell hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the sixth inning for Philadelphia, who have won seven straight games and became the first team to sweep a season series longer than four games in Atlanta, taking all nine.

DODGERS 4, PIRATES 3, 12 INNINGS

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Los Angeles scraped past Pittsburgh to maintain their buffer atop the National League West.

The Dodgers got 11 walks for the game and loaded the bases in the 12th on the last of them. James Loney then hit a line-drive single to score the go-ahead run in the 12th inning.

The Dodgers withstood two Pittsburgh comebacks for their 15th victory in 18 games and stayed three-and-a-half games ahead of Arizona in the National League West with nine to play.

The Pirates got the potential tying run to third base in the bottom of the 12th, but could not get him home.

METS 7, NATIONALS 2

In Washington, New York comfortably beat Washington to keep pace with their rivals in a high-wire playoff race.

The Mets stretched their lead in the wild-card race to one-and-a-half games and stayed only half-a-game behind Philadelphia.

Thursday’s other results:

• Diamondbacks 3, Giants 2

• Marlins 8, Astros 1

• Cardinals 5, Reds 4
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