NEW YORK (AP) – John Thomson held New York’s sputtering offense to three hits, leading the Texas Rangers to a 5-1 victory Sunday that completed their first three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium.
Thomson (3-4) gave up doubles to Alfonso Soriano in the first and third innings, and to Hideki Matsui in the sixth, winning for the first time since April 29.
It was Thomson’s eighth complete game, his second this season, and the lowest-hit complete game of his career.
Juan Gonzalez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Mike Mussina (7-2), who lost his second straight start after winning his first seven. The Rangers have won three straight, matching their longest winning streak this season.
New York has lost six of seven and is 9-13 following an 18-3 start. The Yankees have dropped seven of their last eight games at home and were swept in the Bronx for the first time since Seattle took three games from May 3-5, 2002.
Athletics 8, Indians 5
CLEVELAND – Eric Byrnes hit a tiebreaking RBI single in a five-run ninth inning against Cleveland closer Danys Baez as the Athletics avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Indians 8-5 Sunday.
With the A’s trailing 5-3, Erubiel Durazo led off the ninth with a double and scored on Mark Ellis’ one-out single. Following a single by Terrence Long, pinch-hitter Chris Singleton tied the game with a single.
Byrnes then hit a single to right-center to give Oakland a 6-5 lead and extend his hitting streak to 10 games.
Blue Jays 4, Royals 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Josh Phelps hit a three-run homer to lift the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, completing a sweep of the three-game series.
The slumping Royals dropped into second place behind Minnesota in the AL Central.
Kansas City has lost 15 of 23 after starting the season 16-3. The Blue Jays, who have won 12 of 16, are 22-22.
Vernon Wells, who leads the AL with 27 extra-base hits, doubled with one out in the sixth, and Greg Myers reached on a fielder’s choice. Phelps then hit his sixth home run to give Toronto a 4-1 lead.
Devil Rays 9, Orioles 8
BALTIMORE – Aubrey Huff doubled in the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning and Travis Lee went 4-for-5 with three RBIs as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-8 Sunday.
By taking two of three from Baltimore, the Devil Rays have won three straight road series for the first time in club history. It’s also the first time Tampa Bay has won three straight series since 2001.
Jeff Conine, Deivi Cruz and Melvin Mora homered for the Orioles, who have lost seven of eight.
Mariners 6, Tigers 2
DETROIT – Mike Maroth became the second pitcher in Detroit history to lose his first nine decisions of the season as the Seattle Mariners beat the Tigers 6-2 Sunday behind eight strong innings from Joel Pineiro.
Bret Boone, Carlos Guillen and Greg Colbrunn homered for the Mariners, who swept the three-game series.
Twins 3, White Sox 2
MINNEAPOLIS – Tom Gordon’s wild pitch and shortstop Jose Valentin’s throwing error let Minnesota score twice in the eighth inning, and the Twins rallied past the Chicago White Sox 3-2 Sunday for a three-game sweep.
Minnesota moved into first place all alone for the first time this season. The AL Central champion Twins took a one-half game lead over Kansas City.
The White Sox lost their eighth in a row at the Metrodome. The Twins trailed 2-1 in the eighth when Torii Hunter, who had stranded seven runners on base in his first three trips, singled with one out.
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