Kansas City, MO (Best E Casino) - Billy Butler homered and scored twice, while Esteban German drove in three runs to lead the Royals to a 9-7 victory over the White Sox in the middle contest of a three-game set. Five Royals had three-hits on the day, including Miguel Olivo, Ross Gload and Mike Aviles. Eight of the nine starters for Kansas City scored a run and Butler finished 3-for-5. Kyle Davies (5-2) settled down after a rough beginning and pitched 5 1/3 solid innings on three runs and five hits, fanning two and walking one. It was the 24-year-old's second consecutive win against a first-place team after giving up one run in six innings versus Tampa Bay on July 27. Joakim Soria pitched 1 2/3 innings for his 31st save of the season to give Kansas City its fifth win in six games. Mark Buehrle (8-10) had his shortest outing since the season opener against Cleveland, lasting only 4 1/3 innings on eight runs and an astounding 14 hits while striking out just one. Kansas City hitters went 14-for-27 off him on the day. Jim Thome went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and was one of four White Sox players to hit home runs. Chicago is clinging to a half game lead in the AL Central after losing for the fifth time in seven games.
Final Score: New York 8, LA Angels of Anaheim 2
Bronx, NY (Best E Casino) - Jose Molina went 3-for-3 with a homer and three runs scored as the New York Yankees bested the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 8-2, in the third of a four-game set from Yankee Stadium. Bobby Abreu also homered and drove in two runs for the Yankees, who had lost four of five. Wilson Betemit added two hits including a two-run homer, and Alex Rodriguez added a solo shot. Mike Mussina (14-7) picked up his third win in four starts, holding the AL West leaders to two hits and two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings, fanning five with two walks. Jeff Mathis was credited with the lone run for the Angels, whose five-game win streak came to an end. Jered Weaver (9-9) suffered the loss, allowing eight hits and six runs over five-plus innings along with a season-high four home runs.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 9, Detroit 3
St. Petersburg, FL (Best E Casino) - Evan Longoria finished 3-for-5 with a homer, double and three RBI, as the Tampa Bay Rays downed the Detroit Tigers, 9-3, in game two of a three-game series at Tropicana Field. Jason Bartlett had three hits and scored twice for the Rays, who have won four games in a row. Carl Crawford added a two-run single. Andy Sonnanstine (11-6) gave up two runs on seven hits while striking out six and walking one in six innings of work to collect the win for Tampa Bay, which remains three games ahead of the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East. Miguel Cabrera was 3- for-3 with a run batted in for Detroit, which has lost three straight. Placido Polanco drove in a run with a double and scored twice. Kenny Rogers (8-8) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs on six hits with four walks and a season-high eight strikeouts over just 3 1/3 innings.
Final Score: Boston 12, Oakland 2
Boston, MA (Best E Casino) - Kevin Youkilis homered twice and drove in four runs as Boston crushed Oakland, 12-2, in the middle contest of a three-game set from Fenway Park. Jason Bay added a three-run homer and Jed Lowrie contributed a three-run double for the Red Sox, who have won two in a row after a three-game losing skid. Jon Lester (10-3) cruised to the victory, allowing seven hits and two runs with five strikeouts and a walk over seven innings. Emil Brown's two-run homer was all the offense for the Athletics, who have dropped five consecutive games. A's starter Dana Eveland (7-8) didn't last long, rocked in defeat for eight hits and nine runs in two-plus innings.
Final Score: Cleveland 5, Minnesota 1
Minneapolis, MN (Best E Casino) - Paul Byrd was solid on the mound and David Dellucci missed the cycle by a triple, as the Cleveland Indians made short work of the Minnesota Twins, 5-1, in the middle contest of a three-game set from the Metrodome. The Twins were without manager Ron Gardenhire, who was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for his actions during Thursday's 10-6 win over the Chicago White Sox. It was during the seventh inning of Thursday's game when Gardenhire incited a disruptive reaction from the Metrodome crowd, causing fans to throw debris on the field. Byrd (6-10) tossed seven innings and gave up just one run on six hits while walking two and fanning one. Rafael Perez hurled two perfect innings of relief, though it was not a save situation. In addition to Dellucci's two-run homer, Kelly Shoppach also had a two-run blast for the Indians, who still only have three wins in their last eight games. Jhonny Peralta had an RBI double and scored once in the win. Kevin Slowey (7-8) was saddled with the loss as he was roughed up for five runs on six hits over six frames. Slowey did strike out seven without walking a single batter though. Brian Bass and Dennys Reyes combined to throw three innings of one-hit relief. Denard Span and Delmon Young combined for four of the six hits for Minnesota, which has only lost two of its previous eight contests. Justin Morneau knocked in the only run in defeat for the Twins, who remain a half-game behind the Chicago White Sox for the AL Central lead.
Final Score: Toronto 6, Texas 4
Arlington, TX (Best E Casino) - Scott Rolen and Rod Barajas each had two-run doubles in the sixth inning, as the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Texas Rangers, 6-4, in the middle installment of a three-game set. Alex Rios finished 2- for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Toronto, which snapped a three-game skid. A.J. Burnett (13-9) allowed four runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings to win his third consecutive start and establish a career-high for wins in a single season. The right-hander had previously won 12 games in 2002 and 2005 as a member of the Florida Marlins. Scott Downs tossed 2 1/3 innings of no-hit ball in relief. Frank Catalanotto drove in two runs for the Rangers, who have lost two of their last three games. Josh Hamilton, Gerald Laird and David Murphy each had two hits, with Laird knocking in a run. Scott Feldman (4-4) gave up four runs -- three earned -- on five hits over 5 1/3 innings to record his first loss since June 13 against the New York Mets.
Final Score: Baltimore 3, Seattle 1
Seattle, WA (Best E Casino) - Jeremy Guthrie threw the first complete game of his career to help the Baltimore Orioles to a 3-1 win over the Seattle Mariners in the second of three games at Safeco Field. Guthrie (8-8) gave up just one run on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts for the Orioles, who have won five of their last six. Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora each had a pair of hits and drove in a run while Adam Jones went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Raul Ibanez drove in the lone run while Felix Hernandez (7-7) was saddled with the loss for giving up two runs on eight hits in just five innings of work for the Mariners, who have dropped four of five.
