AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, BOSTON
Evan Longoria hit one of five Tampa Bay home runs as David Price pitched the Rays past the Boston Red Sox 14-5 on Tuesday to gain a one-game lead in the American League East race.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The Rays snapped a three-game losing streak and cut New York’s division lead to one-and-a-half games.
Price (17-6) gave up two runs before retiring a batter but allowed just two more hits, both by Victor Martinez. Boston’s 2-0 lead held up until Ben Zobrist’s two-run homer in the third off Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-5).
The Rays added two homers in the fifth, a two-run shot by Jason Bartlett and a three-run drive by Longoria, then got back-to-back homers in the sixth from Dan Johnson and B.J. Upton. Boston had not allowed a homer in their previous six games.
Carl Crawford went 4 for 4 in just five innings, including doubles in his first three at-bats. He has 12 hits in his last 19 at-bats.
ORIOLES 6, YANKEES 2
In New York, Jake Arrieta pitched efficiently into the seventh inning and Adam Jones had a two-run single in a three-run first as Baltimore denied nemesis CC Sabathia his 20th victory by beating New York.
Buoyed by five early runs, Arrieta earned his second win in 10 starts, helping Baltimore clinch their second straight series win against the top two teams in the AL East. The Orioles took two of three games from Tampa Bay last weekend. Winners of four in a row, they can complete their first three-game sweep in the Bronx in 24 years on Wednesday.
Last-place Baltimore is 21-13 under Buck Showalter, who managed the Yankees from 1992 to 1995.
TIGERS 9, WHITE SOX 1
In Detroit, Justin Verlander allowed five hits over seven innings as Detroit ended Chicago’s seven-game winning streak.
Three players — White Sox starter Freddy Garcia (back), Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (shoulder) and White Sox designated hitter Manny Ramirez (hand) — left the game with injuries, while Chicago’s Gordon Beckham (hand) was a late scratch from the lineup.
The White Sox were trying to win the first eight games of a road trip for the first time since 1951, but they fell behind in the first inning and never caught up.
In other AL play, it was:
• Blue Jays 8, Rangers 5
• Twins 10, Royals 3
• Mariners 7, Athletics 5
• Indians 6, Angels 1
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, PHILADELPHIA
Placido Polanco hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 8-7 on Tuesday to move into first place in the National League East.
The Phillies moved a half-game ahead of Atlanta, which lost 5-0 in Pittsburgh. The two-time defending NL champions hadn’t been in first place since May 30. They are seeking their fourth straight division title.
Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino hit solo homers for the Phillies, who were seven games behind the Braves on July 22.
After the Marlins rallied to tie it at 7 in the eighth, the Phillies answered with two outs in the bottom half. Victorino blooped a single to center off Jose Veras (2-2). He stole second and scored on Polanco’s liner to right.
BREWERS 4, CARDINALS 2
In Milwaukee, Trevor Hoffman added another milestone to his illustrious career, earning his 600th save by closing out Milwaukee’s win.
Four people were ejected by plate umpire Bob Davidson, including a fan, on a night that ended with Hoffman being carried off the field by his teammates.
The 42-year-old reliever, baseball’s career saves leader, lost his job as the Brewers’ closer in May after a string of bad outings.
However, he’s pitched better of late and has been getting ninth-inning work as the team tried to get him to No. 600.
The right-hander entered in the ninth and gave up a bloop single to Colby Rasmus. Pinch-hitter Randy Winn grounded into a double play. Hoffman got pinch-hitter Aaron Miles to ground out and raised his arms in triumph as teammates rushed to mob him near the mound.
PADRES 2, DODGERS 1
In San Diego, Mat Latos bounced back from stomach flu to strike out 10 batters for the third time in four starts as the NL West-leading San Diego beat Los Angeles.
Latos held Los Angeles to four hits in seven innings. He set a big league record with his 15th straight start of five or more innings with two or fewer runs allowed. He had been tied with Greg Maddux (1993-1994) and Mike Scott (1986) with 14.
Latos (14-5) also lowered his major league-leading ERA from 2.25 to 2.21. His 10 strikeouts matched his career high and his 113 pitches were a career high. He walked none.
METS 4, NATIONALS 1
In Washington, Dillon Gee took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of his major league debut to lead New York past Washington.
The 24-year-old right-hander did a masterful job over seven innings. Willie Harris led off the sixth with a home run to right field, the only run the rookie would allow.
In other NL play, it was:
• Rockies 4, Reds 3
• Giants 6, Diamondbacks 3
• Pirates 5, Braves 0
• Astros 7, Cubs 3
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