Damon loses slam but gets HR in 9th

Johnny Damon lost a grand slam to a video review in the seventh inning, then hit a game-ending home run in the ninth that lifted the host Tampa Bay Rays over the Seattle Mariners, 8-7, yesterday.

"It feels good," Damon said. "It was a great team effort, again." Damon hit a leadoff shot in the ninth on the first pitch from Dan Cortes (0-2), sending his 11th homer of the season into the rightfield seats.

"The first pitch I was going to look to drive something," Damon said. "But after that, I was going to think about bunting, maybe, and getting on base and set the table. Fortunately I hit it far enough."

The Rays trailed 5-4 in the seventh when Damon launched a deep fly to right-center. It was first ruled a home run, but replays showed it hit off the top of the wall and the umpires changed it to a three-run double after a video review.

After blowing an early four-run lead, Seattle tied it at 7 during the eighth when Wily Mo Peña hit a long two-run homer to center off James Shields.

Red Sox 6, Royals 1: In Kansas City, Mo., Jon Lester (13-7) allowed three hits in six-plus innings, Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo homers and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time since June, 24, 2007.

Blue Jays 1, Athletics 0: Luis Perez (3-2) went six innings and combined with Casey Janssen on a one-hitter in Oakland.

Angels 7, Orioles 1: Jerome Williams allowed a run and six hits in seven innings for his first big-league victory since Sept. 25, 2005, with the Cubs.

The Angels have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday, when the team is expected to announce a five-year contract with Jered Weaver. SI.com first reported that the deal is worth $85 million.

White Sox 10, Rangers 0: Gavin Floyd (11-10) pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning, and Brent Lillibridge and Alex Rios hit two-run homers for host Chicago.-- AP