Jack Hannahan hit that leadoff single and later drove in two runs, and Jack Cust hit a two-run homer as the Oakland Athletics completed a three-game sweep of the defending World Series champions with a 6-3 victory Sunday.
Lester (3-3) allowed seven hits and four runs over five innings, taking the loss in his first start since throwing a no-hitter Monday night against Kansas City. The Boston left-hander scuffled through early trouble before retiring the last six batters he faced.
Joe Blanton (3-6) labored through six inconsistent innings to win for the first time in five May starts, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out seven. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 13 chances.
White Sox 3, Angels 2
CHICAGO — Carlos Quentin led off the ninth inning with his second homer off John Lackey (1-1), and Chicago beat Los Angeles to avoid a three-game sweep.
Quentin also hit a two-run shot in the third. His AL-leading 14th home run made a winner of Scott Linebrink (2-0), who pitched a perfect ninth after Jose Contreras threw eight strong innings.
The multihomer game was Quentin’s second this season and the third in his career. Quentin finished with three hits.
Contreras allowed just three hits, including a two-run homer by Gary Matthews Jr., while striking out 10 and walking none. It was his fourth double-digit strikeout game and first since June 17, 2006, when he had 13 in six innings against Cincinnati.
Rangers 2, Indians 1
CLEVELAND — Right fielder Ben Francisco misplayed a simple single into a costly error in the 10th, enabling Jarrod Saltalamacchia to score from first base with the winning run.
Saltalamacchia drew a two-out walk on the 10th pitch he saw from Masahide Kobayashi (2-2).
Ramon Vazquez, who struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, then lined a routine single to right. Francisco knelt down to play it safely, but the ball bounced between his legs and rolled all to the wall. Saltalamacchia scored easily and Vazquez reached third on the error.
Jamey Wright (3-1) worked two scoreless innings and C.J. Wilson earned his 10th save.
Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton was ejected after arguing a third strike in the sixth. He went 1-for-3, ending his streak of multihit games at eight.
Blue Jays 3, Royals 1
TORONTO — Shannon Stewart drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice, Dustin McGowan won for the first time in four starts and the Royals have now lost seven straight.
McGowan (3-4) allowed one run and nine hits in seven innings to win for the first time since May 5 against Cleveland. He matched a season-high by striking out seven and walked none.
Scott Downs worked the eighth and B.J. Ryan pitched the ninth for his 11th save.
The Blue Jays are two games above .500 for the first time since they were 8-6 on April 15.
Royals right-hander Gil Meche (3-7) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. Meche walked two and struck out five, and has lost three of his past four starts.
Twins 6, Tigers 1
DETROIT — Jason Kubel hit a tiebreaking grand slam with two outs in the eighth inning and Glen Perkins shut down Detroit’s offense to take two of three in the series.
Carlos Guillen homered and finished with three hits for Detroit, which wasted a strong start by Justin Verlander after blowing out Minnesota 19-3 on Saturday night.
Perkins (2-1) allowed a run and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out four. Matt Guerrier got the final out in the eighth and Joe Nathan worked a one-hit ninth.
Francisco Cruceta (0-2) relieved Verlander in the eighth and took the loss.
Rays 5, Orioles 4
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Evan Longoria drove in the winning run with a double in the ninth inning, giving the Rays a three-game sweep of the Orioles.
Carlos Pena drew a one-out walk in the ninth off George Sherrill (1-1) and scored on Longoria’s double to center. Longoria also caused Baltimore problems on Saturday, hitting two homers and driving six runs in Tampa Bay’s 11-4 victory.
Troy Percival (1-0) got the final two outs in the ninth for the win.
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