David Ortiz's three-run homer lifts Red Sox over hot Rays

David Ortiz's three-run home run helped the Boston Red Sox end a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, yesterday. The loss ended the Rays' nine-game winning streak, their longest in 10 years and second-longest in franchise history.

Ortiz's 25th home run came off Chris Archer in the third inning. It was the 456th of his career and not without controversy. Ortiz flipped his bat and took his time rounding the bases.

"I don't know what makes him think that he can showboat the way he does," Archer said. "He feels like he's bigger than the game. He feels like the show is all about him."

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Ortiz's action caused him to pause and reflect. "He played it up pretty good," Maddon said. "He's an iconic figure in that city, and I've always thought of him as a very classy person. The man has meant so much for the game and also back in his country. [Then] there's those moments that occur like that. I'm not saying that my respect diminished, it's just something that makes you think a little bit more."

Said Ortiz: "I tell you, man, maybe they get too sensitive about things. Just leave it like that."

Orioles 3, Mariners 2: Manny Machado lifted a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 10th inning for visiting Baltimore. Machado also singled and scored in the third inning and had an RBI single in the eighth. Zach Britton struck out the side in the 10th for his 20th save in 23 opportunities.

Twins 4, White Sox 3: Sam Fuld hit a tiebreaking, two-run single off Javy Guerra in a three-run seventh inning as host Minnesota avoided a four-game sweep. Danny Santana had two RBIs for the Twins who are last in the AL Central.

Angels 2, Tigers 1: David Freese hit a tiebreaking home run off Joba Chamberlain in the eighth for host Los Angeles.

A's 9, Rangers 3: John Jaso drove in three runs to help Scott Kazmir (12-3) and visiting Oakland get the win.

Indians 10, Royals 3: Carlos Santana hit two home runs, giving him six in six games for visiting Cleveland. In those six games, Santana is 14-for-23, including three doubles and 10 RBIs.

Nationals 4, Reds 2: Doug Fister (10-2) allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings for visiting Washington. Adam LaRoche drove in two runs and Anthony Rendon had an RBI single.

Braves 8, Padres 3: Chris Johnson and Ryan Doumit each drove in two runs during host Atlanta's six-run third inning to beat Eric Stults (3-13).

Cardinals 1, Cubs 0: Adam Wainwright (13-5) pitched seven scoreless innings and Matt Holliday homered in the first inning to lead visiting St. Louis.

Dodgers 4, Giants 3: Carl Crawford's RBI triple capped a three-run fifth to lift Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-5) and give visiting Los Angeles a three-game sweep and a 11/2-game lead over San Francisco in the NL West. Jake Peavy took the loss in his Giants debut.

Pirates 7, Rockies 5: Josh Harrison had four hits including a tiebreaking homer in the eighth for visiting Pittsburgh.

Phillies 4, Diamondbacks 2: Ryan Howard homered in his second game since a three-game benching and scored the go-ahead run on an overturned call at the plate for host Philadelphia.

Marlins 4, Astros 2: Garrett Jones and Marcell Ozuna homered to lead visiting Miami. -- AP