Rays win sixth straight

Jeff Keppinger homered, doubled and drove in the go-ahead run with a groundout in a four-run 10th inning yesterday as the Tampa Bay Rays beat host Minnesota, 7-3, for their sixth straight win. The Twins have lost five straight.

Ryan Roberts had three hits for the Rays, including a two-run single in the 10th. Fernando Rodney retired the only batter he faced for his league-leading 36th save in 37 attempts.

"I believe in all these guys," said Joe Maddon, whose Rays moved within five games of the Yankees. "I like the energy with which we're playing."

Keppinger's bouncer to shortstop Brian Dozier with the bases loaded in the 10th could have been thrown home for a force, but Dozier elected to go to first before the Rays broke the game open.

Tampa Bay overcame three errors in the victory. "It's good to have [a break] every once in a while," Rays leftfielder Desmond Jennings said. "I thought [Dozier] was going to try to turn a double play."

Red Sox 14, Indians 1: Jon Lester struck out 12 in six innings for his first win in six weeks for visiting Boston. Adrian Gonzalez hit a two-run home run and a two-run double and Carl Crawford had three RBIs for Boston.

Orioles 5, Royals 3: Manny Machado hit his third home run in four major-league games and host Baltimore got four hitless innings from its bullpen.

Rangers 8, Tigers 3: Josh Hamilton hit his 32nd homer and had three RBIs to give him 99 for host Texas. Both of Hamilton's power numbers lead the majors. Texas begins a four-game series against the Yankees tonight in the Bronx.

Mariners 4, Angels 1: Jesus Montero homered twice off Jered Weaver (15-2, 2.22 ERA), who leads the majors in ERA and is tied for first in wins.

White Sox 7, Athletics 3: Chris Sale (14-3) struck out 11 in 62/3 innings and A.J. Pierzynski hit his 23rd homer in a five-run sixth inning for host Chicago.

Phillies 8, Cardinals 7: Juan Pierre beat out an infield single in the 11th to win it for host Philadelphia. The Phillies' Erik Kratz hit a three-run homer in the eighth that tied it at 7.

Diamondbacks 7, Nationals 4: Rookie Patrick Corbin allowed four hits through seven innings as the D-backs snapped visiting Washington's season-high winning streak at eight.

Reds 3, Cubs 0: Johnny Cueto (15-6) tied the Mets' R.A. Dickey for the NL lead in victories by pitching three-hit ball for eight innings and Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick homered for visiting Cincinnati.

Pirates 11, Padres 5: Clint Barmes' first career grand slam keyed a nine-run fourth inning, Neil Walker went 5-for-5 and Andrew McCutchen drove in two runs as host Pittsburgh ended San Diego's winning streak at six.

Giants 9, Rockies 6: Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer during a five-run rally in the eighth inning and Melky Cabrera drove in three runs for host San Francisco.

Dodgers 5, Marlins 0: Chris Capuano (11-8) held host Miami hitless until Jose Reyes singled in the seventh and Hanley Ramirez drove in three runs against his former team. Capuano allowed two hits and struck out nine in eight innings.

Brewers 5, Astros 3: Yovani Gallardo (11-8) won his 10th straight start against Houston and Corey Hart homered as Milwaukee broke an 11-game road skid. -- AP