American League roundup

[August 17, 2009]  BALTIMORE (AP) -- The most prolific offense in the American League is about to become even better.

Torii Hunter returned from the disabled list Sunday and immediately made a difference for the Los Angeles Angels, sparking a nine-run 13th inning that produced a 17-8 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

After missing 32 games with a groin injury, Hunter had two hits and two RBIs in his first action since July 7. The three-time All-Star had a sacrifice fly in the first inning, but missed a chance to give LA the lead in the 11th by lining into a double play.

Batting again with the bases loaded in the 13th, Hunter singled in a run to begin the Angels' merry-go-round jaunt around the basepaths.

"I had some big situations there," Hunter said. "First time I came up I didn't deliver, even though I had a sacrifice fly. Next time, I lined into a double play. The last time, I just wanted to put the ball somewhere safe and get the run home."

On the same day Hunter returned from the DL, Vladimir Guerrero was scratched with a sore left knee after being plunked by a pitch Saturday night. Manager Mike Scioscia intends to rest Hunter on Monday, but both stars will soon be working together for an offense that leads the AL in batting average (.291), runs (666) and hits (1,167).

"Having Torii back in the lineup, it couldn't come at a better time," said Bobby Abreu, who hit his 11th homer in the third inning.

Leadoff man Chone Figgins had four hits, including the 1,000th of his career, scored three runs and had three RBIs.

After Hunter's RBI single in the 13th, Erick Aybar got a two-run single against Matt Albers, the Angels' fifth straight hit. Los Angeles kept adding to the margin until Juan Rivera finished the onslaught with a three-run homer.

Jason Bulger (6-1) worked the final two innings for Los Angeles, which had a season-high 23 hits.

The nine runs were the most scored in one extra inning since San Diego registered the same amount in the 10th against Philadelphia on May 28, 1995.

"I don't know what you call it, but a nine-run 13th inning is ... a little unusual," Scioscia said.

Rangers 4, Red Sox 3

At Arlington, Texas, Ian Kinsler homered and drove in two runs, Dustin Nippert pitched six solid innings and the Rangers passed Boston in the AL wild-card race.

The Rangers took two of three in the series to move a half-game ahead of the Red Sox.

Kinsler was back in the lineup one day after he was hit by a pitch that ricocheted off his head.

Nippert (4-1) gave up two runs and six hits to beat the Red Sox for the second time in a month.

Junichi Tazawa (1-2) yielded 10 hits and four runs over five-plus innings in his second career start.

Royals 3, Tigers 2, 10 innings

At Detroit, Josh Anderson scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning on Tigers third baseman Ryan Raburn's third error of the game.

With one out in the 10th, Anderson reached on a dribbler down the third-base line and David DeJesus followed with a grounder through Raburn's legs.

Later in the inning, Raburn fielded Billy Butler's grounder, but made a wild throw to first for his second error of the inning, allowing Anderson to score.

Joakim Soria (3-0) threw two scoreless innings to get the win. Fernando Rodney (2-3) took the loss.

Rays 5, Blue Jays 2

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Gregg Zaun had a pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning for the Rays.

Zaun's fifth career grand slam, and first since Sept. 6 while with Toronto against the Rays, came off Casey Janssen after Brandon League (1-5) loaded the bases.

Dan Wheeler (4-3) pitched a perfect 1 1-3 innings for the win.

Indians 7, Twins 4

At Minneapolis, Kelly Shoppach and Luis Valbuena hit back-to-back homers and Grady Sizemore added a two-run shot in a six-run third inning for the Indians.

Shoppach homered on the first pitch of the third from Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn (8-8). Valbuena followed two pitches later, and after Blackburn hit Andy Marte with a pitch, Sizemore connected for his 17th of the season.

Aaron Laffey (7-3) earned the victory.

Athletics 3, White Sox 2

At Oakland, Calif., Mark Ellis lined a homer just over the left-field wall with two outs in the ninth inning and the Athletics avoided a three-game sweep.

Ellis went deep off Bobby Jenks (2-4) for his third career game-winning homer and first since June 8 last year against the Angels.

Scott Hairston hit a tying double with two outs in the eighth off former A's closer Octavio Dotel and All-Star Andrew Bailey (5-3) pitched the ninth for the victory.

Mariners 10, Yankees 3

At Seattle, Jose Lopez had three hits and three RBIs and the Mariners ended New York's five-game winning streak and handed Joba Chamberlain his first loss in two months.

Doug Fister, making his second career start, held one of baseball's best lineups to three runs in seven innings for his first major league win.

New York lost for the second time in 14 games but remained 7 1/2 ahead of Boston in the AL East.

[Associated Press; By DAVID GINSBURG]

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