AL roundup: Indians snap 10-game losing streak

CLEVELAND — Ben Francisco drove in a career-high four runs and Cleveland snapped a 10-game losing streak Thursday with a 13-2 victory over Tampa Bay, the Rays’ fourth straight loss.

Cleveland last lost 10 in a row in 1979 and avoided its longest streak in 77 years by hitting four home runs to overcome a 2-0 deficit. The last time the Indians lost 11 straight was 1931, on the way to a team-record 12 consecutive losses.

Francisco and David Dellucci hit two-run homers in a five-run fifth against Andy Sonnanstine (10-4). Casey Blake hit a solo shot in a seven-run eighth off Gary Glover.

Aaron Laffey (5-5) earned Cleveland’s first win since recently traded CC Sabathia shut out Cincinnati on June 27. Laffey allowed two runs and four hits over six innings, winning for the first time in five starts since June 12.

Tampa Bay came in with baseball’s best record (55-35), but lost for the 10th straight time in Cleveland.

Twins 7, Tigers 6 (11)

DETROIT — Justin Morneau hit an 11th-inning homer, tying a career-high with his fifth hit, and Minnesota overcame a four-run deficit.

The Twins, who stopped a three-game losing streak, trailed 6-4 in the ninth but tied the score against closer Todd Jones on two singles, an error and Joe Mauer’s sacrifice fly.

Morneau homered off Freddy Dolsi (1-3) with one out in the 11th. He also doubled twice.

Matt Guerrier (5-4) pitched two innings for the victory, the Twins’ 17th in 22 games.

Detroit, which had won three straight, was trying to move three games over .500 for the first time since its 24-36 start.

Denard Span had four hits for the Twins, who fell behind 6-2 in the fourth.

Jones failed to convert a save for just the second time in 18 chances.

Angels 11, Rangers 10 (11)

ARLINGTON, Texas — Pinch-hitter Maicer Izturis drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the 11th inning for Los Angeles.

Tied at 10, Garret Anderson led off the 11th with a single off Jamey Wright (5-4) and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Howie Kendrick, who hit his first two homers of the season in the game, struck out, before Izturis blooped a run-scoring single into shallow center.

Francisco Rodriguez, who blew a save Wednesday night, walked Brandon Boggs leading off the bottom of the 11th. Rodriguez’s throwing error on a sacrifice bunt put runners on first and second. Ian Kinsler popped out a bunt attempt, and Ramon Vazquez struck out before Michael Young grounded out for Rodriguez’s 36th save.

Justin Speier (1-4) allowed one hit in a scoreless 10th.

Josh Hamilton, Marlon Byrd and Max Ramirez homered for the Rangers, who had a season-high 20 hits and rallied from a six-run deficit to send the game into extra innings.

Angels starter John Lackey allowed 15 hits and six runs in 5 2/3 innings, exiting with a 10-6 lead.

Blue Jays 6, Orioles 5

TORONTO — Adam Lind drove in the go-ahead run in the ninth and Toronto completed a three-game sweep.

Leading 5-4 in the ninth, Baltimore closer George Sherrill (2-4) struck out pinch-hitter Marco Scutaro but gave up a single to Rod Barajas and a double to Scott Rolen. Pinch-hitter Gregg Zaun was walked intentionally, and Lyle Overbay tied it with a sacrifice fly.

Lind followed with a single, giving Sherrill his sixth blown save and the Orioles their fifth straight loss.

Shawn Camp (2-1) worked one inning for the victory.

The late collapse spoiled seven strong innings from Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, who allowed two runs and four hits.

Royals 4, White Sox 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mark Teahen’s inside-the-park home run capped a four-run rally in the eighth inning as Kansas City avoided a three-game sweep.

Mike Aviles and Jose Guillen hit RBI doubles to give the Royals a 2-1 lead, after Mark Buehrle (6-8) had shut them out on four hits over the first seven innings.

Teahen, who also had an inside-the-parker earlier this year, then hit Boone Logan’s pitch to deep center. Guillen scored and as Teahen slid around A.J. Pierzynski’s sweeping tag at the plate.

Ron Mahay (5-0) pitched one inning and struck out two.

Buehrle (6-8) gave up six hits in 7 1/3 innings and had a season-high eight strikeouts.

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