The Baltimore Orioles began the day with a six-game winning streak and ended it with a two-game skid.
Ian Kinsler hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 Thursday night to complete a doubleheader sweep in Arlington.
In the opener, Kevin Millwood (1-2) allowed only one run in seven innings to lower his ERA to 1.29 and finally get a victory to accompany his solid pitching this season. Texas won that game 3-1.
“To have something to show for it is awfully nice,” said Millwood, who had gotten only one run of support in each of his previous two starts this season.
Kinsler’s hit was a hard shot that shortstop Luis Hernandez couldn’t backhand, and the third consecutive one-out single against Chad Bradford (0-1). That scored Ben Broussard, who had moved up to third on Adam Melhuse’s hit.
Jamey Wright (1-0) worked 2 1-3 innings in relief of starter Kason Gabbard, and C.J. Wilson worked another perfect ninth for his second save of the day and third of the season.
Michael Young, who scored twice in the opener, hit a solo home run in the first inning of the nightcap. Milton Bradley had a two-run double and David Murphy an RBI single in the third off Adam Loewen for a 4-1 lead.
But the Orioles overcome that deficit on Jay Payton’s two-out, two-run homer in the sixth that chased Gabbard, and an RBI groundout by Kevin Millar that tied it in the eighth.
“It’s a long day,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “It’s much longer when you lose.”
In other AL games Thursday, it was Oakland 3, Toronto 2 in 12 innings; the New York Yankees 6, Kansas City 1; Boston 12, Detroit 6; and Tampa Bay 7, Seattle 0. The Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox game was postponed by rain and rescheduled for June 9.
Millwood won his sixth straight start against the Orioles. He was coming off a complete-game 2-1 loss, after losing the season opener despite giving up only two unearned runs.
“We need him to lead this pitching staff, and he’s doing that,” manager Ron Washington said.
The game was tied 1-1 when Millwood threw the last of his 111 pitches, but Texas scored twice in the seventh on Young’s RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Josh Hamilton.
The Orioles had only three hits against Millwood, including an RBI single by Ramon Hernandez. Millwood struck out two and overcame five walks, one short of his career high.
“Our pitching has been incredible,” Young said. “They’ve been leading the way for us. … We know we have a lot of guys capable of doing special things.”
Kinsler started the go-ahead rally in the first game for Texas with a one-out single off Steve Trachsel (1-1). Kinsler then stole second and scored on Young’s single. Young also stole second and went to third on catcher Hernandez’s throw into center field before Hamilton’s sacrifice fly – the second time he drove in Young.
Athletics 3, Blue Jays 2, 12 innings
At Toronto, Travis Buck doubled home two runs in the 12th inning and the A’s completed a three-game sweep. Buck went 3-for-6 with three RBIs, matching an Oakland record with three doubles. He started the season in an 0-for-22 slump.
Buck ended up going 7-for-16 with four RBIs and six doubles in the series, boosting his average to .189. The six doubles in a three-game series are an Oakland record.
Right-hander Joey Devine (1-0), who worked two innings after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento earlier in the day when Rich Harden landed on the 15-day DL.
Yankees 6, Royals 1
At Kansas City, Mo., Andy Pettitte picked up his first victory and Alex Rodriguez and Melky Cabrera each homered and drove in two runs, helping the Yankees avoid a series sweep.
Pettitte (1-1) held the Royals to one run and five hits in 6 2-3 innings, and is 7-0 in his past nine starts against the Royals. Pettitte has a career record of 12-4 with a 3.06 ERA against Kansas City, which is his best earned run average against any AL club.
Red Sox 12, Tigers 6
At Boston, J.D. Drew went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, and Tim Wakefield fluttered his knuckleball for five innings to send the Tigers to their eighth loss in nine games.
Manny Ramirez had a two-run double, and scored a run by ignoring a two-handed stop sign put up by third base coach DeMarlo Hale. Sean Casey drove in three runs on a pair of hits, including a two-run single in the four-run seventh when Boston made it 8-3.
Wakefield (1-0) walked five and hit two batters, but allowed only three hits and one earned run. Nate Robertson (0-1) was the loser, allowing eight hits and two walks while striking out six in 5 1-3 innings.
Rays 7, Mariners 0
At St. Petersburg, Fla., Edwin Jackson allowed two hits in eight innings and the Rays ended a four-game losing streak.
A 15-game loser in 2007, Jackson combined with Trever Miller on a three-hitter and improved to 2-0. Eric Hinske homered off Miguel Batista (0-2).
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