Athletics Move Into West Lead

Adam Melhuse hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning and Erubiel Durazo drove in a run in the ninth to give the Oakland Athletics a 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas, and first place in the West Division. The A’s won their sixth in a row and moved into first place for the first time since July 6. The Rangers have lost three in a row and five of six.

Baltimore 9, New York 1 -- Sidney Ponson (6-12) pitched a four-hitter at Yankee Stadium. Melvin Mora drove in four runs and Javy Lopez homered and had three RBIs for the Orioles, who beat the Yankees for only the second time in 10 games this season.

Detroit 3, Chicago 2 -- Jason Johnson (8-8) gave up three hits over six innings at Detroit and the Tigers dealt the White Sox their fifth consecutive loss. The White Sox got a man to third with two out in the eighth, but Esteban Yan got Carlos Lee to fly to center to end the threat.

Tampa Bay 2, Kansas City 0 -- Rob Bell and three relievers combined on a four-hitter at St. Petersburg, Fla. Bell (4-4) struck out three and walked two in 6 1/3 innings in the Devil Rays’ third consecutive win following a six-game losing streak.