Rodriguez Homers For Fifth Straight Game, Yanks Sweep KC 6-3

Sunday, September 9th 2007, 8:54 pm

By: News On 6

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) _ Alex Rodriguez homered for the fifth straight game, connecting for the seventh time during that span and sending the New York Yankees past the Kansas City Royals 6-3 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.

Chien-Ming Wang earned his 18th win to remain tied for the lead in Major League Baseball, and Jorge Posada hit a tiebreaking, two-run double that helped New York extend its lead in the race for the American League wild-card playoff berth to four games over Detroit.

Red Sox 3, Orioles 2

In Baltimore, Josh Beckett allowed two runs in seven innings to earn his 18th victory, and the Red Sox completed another successful season at Camden Yards.

Coco Crisp singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning, Mike Lowell drove in two runs and Dustin Pedroia had three hits for the Red Sox, who won six of nine in Baltimore this year.

Mariners 14, Tigers 7

In Detroit, Ichiro Suzuki scored in each of the first four innings and the Mariners won for only the second time in 15 games to remain five back of New York in the American League wild-card race.

Raul Ibanez hit a three-run homer, Adrian Beltre had four RBIs and Jose Guillen drove in three runs as Seattle scored 13 times in the first four innings.

Felix Hernandez (12-7) earned the win despite giving up seven runs _ six earned _ and 10 hits with three walks over five-plus innings.

Twins 5, White Sox 2

In Chicago, Jason Kubel hit a three-run homer and added an RBI single, Johan Santana struck out 10 in seven innings, and the Twins snapped a six-game losing streak.

Jim Thome hit his 498th career home run, a solo shot off reliever Juan Rincon in the eighth inning. It's the third straight game Thome has homered, giving him 26 on the season.

Santana (15-11), who had given up eight runs in 12 innings in losing his last two starts, yielded only one run on four hits. He walked two while throwing 116 pitches.

Devil Rays 3, Blue Jays 2

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena hit consecutive homers in the sixth inning, and James Shields allowed four hits through seven to lead the Devil Rays.

Tampa Bay has won four straight series for the first time since winning six straight in June 2004. The Devil Rays have won nine of their last 12 games and 12 of 16 since Aug. 24.

Shields (12-8) gave up two runs and struck out five. The 25-year-old allowed no walks and hasn't walked more than one batter in 22 of his 30 starts this season.

Rangers 12, Athletics 9

In Arlington, Texas, Sammy Sosa hit a three-run homer to cap an eight-run second inning, then drove in another run as the Rangers held off the Athletics to complete a three-game sweep.

The Rangers have won five straight to move into a tie for third place with the A's in the AL West. Texas had been in last place since April 25.