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Blalock and Rogers lead Rangers past A's

Posted on: Saturday, 16 July 2005, 20:16 CDT

TORONTO (Reuters) - Hank Blalock homered, had four hits and scored four runs as the Texas Rangers and Kenny Rogers withstood a late rally to edge the Athletics 10-8 in American League play in Oakland on Saturday.

Kevin Mench added a three-run home run for the Rangers and Michael Young also homered, as the Rangers survived a five-run salvo by the A's in the ninth to pick up the win.

Young had two of the Rangers 12 hits in the game and Richard Hidalgo added a two-run double for the winners.

Rogers (11-4) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over seven innings for the win as he continues to pitch while waiting for an appeal of the 20-game suspension he received for an altercation with a cameraman before the All-Star break.

The veteran pitcher continued his mastery in Oakland, winning for the 20th time in his last 21 decisions at the Coliseum.

Francisco Cordero had to come on and get the final two outs in the bottom of the ninth to earn his 21st save as two Texas relievers almost squandered a 10-3 lead.

Joe Blanton (5-8) gave up five runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings for the loss, striking out five and walking two.

Jay Payton homered for Oakland, while Keith Ginter drove in a pair of runs and Jason Kendall had two hits and an RBI.

In other games, Mark Buehrle pitched seven solid innings, as the Chicago White Sox beat the Indians 7-5 in Cleveland.

Buehrle (11-3) allowed two runs on three hits and striking out six for the win. Damaso Marte got one out for his third save. Aaron Rowand had three hits for the White Sox.

Jake Westbrook (6-12) pitched five innings, allowing six runs -- four earned -- on seven hits, walking one and striking out three to take the loss.

Grady Sizemore had one hit and drove in two runs for the Indians.

In Boston, Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer as the New York Yankees beat the Red Sox 7-4.

Randy Johnson (10-6) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out 10 for the win. Mariano Rivera pitched one inning for his 22nd save.

Matt Clement (10-3) pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on five hits, walking five and striking out four to take the loss. Mark Bellhorn and Manny Ramirez homered for the Red Sox.

In Toronto, Carl Crawford hit a two-run homer as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays edged the Blue Jays 6-5.

Mark Hendrickson (4-6) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits, walking three and striking out three for the win.

Danys Baez pitched one inning for his 15th save and Aubrey Huff also homered for the Devil Rays.

Josh Towers (6-8) pitched four innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and striking out one to take the loss.

Alex Rios had three hits and drove in two runs for the Blue Jays.

Source: REUTERS

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