Twins Open 1 1/2-Game Lead Over White Sox

Now the Minnesota Twins are putting pressure on the Chicago White Sox. Last week, the White Sox won the first two games of a four-game series in Chicago, dropping Minnesota two games back in the AL Central. Since then, the Twins have won three in a row against their division rival, opening a 1 1/2-game lead as Brad Radke led them to a 5-2 win Tuesday night in the series opener at the Metrodome.

“We’ve got to win the next two games,” White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. “No doubt about it.”

Radke (13-10) allowed eight singles over seven innings, giving up one run as he won his fifth straight decision. Minnesota has been alone in first place for consecutive days for the first time since June 22-23.

And after the final two games of the series, the Twins play seven of their final nine games against lowly Detroit.

“Driver’s seat? Oh, my,” Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We just want to come out and try to play. We don’t worry about the driver’s seat.”

In other games it was Toronto 9, Detroit 6; New York 6, Baltimore 3; Boston 3, Tampa Bay 2; Texas 10, Seattle 5; Kansas City 12, Cleveland 8; and Anaheim 6, Oakland 5.

At Minnesota, Esteban Loaiza (19-8) pitched with the flu and gave up four runs, four hits and five walks in 2 1-3 innings.

“He was different tonight than what I usually see,” White Sox shortstop Jose Valentin said. “You could see him looking for help. He wasn’t the same Loaiza he was all year.”

Torii Hunter and rookie Michael Ryan each had two hits for the Twins.

Blue Jays 9, Tigers 6

Frank Catalanotto singled home the go-ahead run in a four-run seventh at Detroit.

The Tigers (38-112), who have dropped four straight, moved within five of the AL record for losses, set by the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics (36-117). They need five or more wins in their last 12 games to avoid the post-1900 major league mark, set by the 1962 Mets.

“That’s our goal right now,” catcher Brandon Inge said. “And sad as it may be, that’s what it’s come to: win five games.”

Jason Kershner (2-3) pitched two scoreless innings. Nate Cornejo (6-16) allowed six runs – five earned – and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Yankees 6, Orioles 3

Roger Clemens (15-9) moved into a tie for 17th place on the career victory list with Hoss Radbourn at 308, allowing three runs – two earned – and seven hits in seven innings at Camden Yards.

Alfonso Soriano hit his third homer in two nights and Hideki Matsui drove in three runs for the Yankees, who maintained their 5 1/2-game lead over second-place Boston in the AL East.

Mariano Rivera worked the ninth for his 38th save. New York went up 4-1 with a three-run sixth against Jason Johnson (10-8).

Red Sox 3, Devil Rays 2

Pedro Martinez (13-4) pitched a six-hitter at Fenway Park for his 100th win with Boston, which opened a 2 1/2-game lead over Seattle in the wild-card race.

Martinez, in his sixth year with the Red Sox, struck out six and walked one in his second complete game this season.

With the score 1-all in the eighth, Nomar Garciaparra doubled off Travis Harper (4-8), David Ortiz hit an RBI single against Joe Kennedy and Bill Mueller added a sacrifice fly.

Julio Lugo batted with potential tying run on second with two outs in the ninth but popped out.

Rangers 10, Mariners 5

Alex Rodriguez hit his major league-leading 44th homer, his fifth in six games, and rookie Laynce Nix homered twice at Texas.

Hank Blalock had a three-run homer for the Rangers, who opened a 9-0 lead in the fourth. Seattle has lost three straight and is 6-8 in September.

Gil Meche (15-11) allowed eight runs and seven hits – four of them homers – in 2 1-3 innings. John Thomson (13-13) gave up three runs and nine hits in eight innings.

Royals 12, Indians 8

Joe Randa and Rondell White hit three-run homers for visiting Kansas City, which led 6-0 in the second and remained 3 1/2 games back in the AL Central. After Cleveland closed to 6-4, the Royals scored five runs in the fourth.

Darrell May (9-7) struck out a season-high eight in 5 2-3 innings, allowing seven runs – only one earned – and seven hits.

Billy Traber (6-9) gave up six runs and seven hits in 1 2-3 innings, his shortest start this season.

Angel Berroa had a career high five hits, going 5-for-5.

Angels 6, Athletics 5

Scott Spiezio hit a three-run homer off Jim Mecir (2-3) in the ninth at Anaheim, ending Oakland’s seven-game winning streak. The A’s maintained their 4 1/2-game lead in the AL West over Seattle.

Derrick Turnbow (1-0) got his first major league victory with a scoreless ninth.