OAKLAND, CALIF. ? Barry Zito won on an empty stomach.

“It was weird. I was airy, a little bit manic,” Zito said. “I didn’t eat right. … I was just crazy. I couldn’t really focus on anything. Once I became aware I was wacked out, I tried to slow things down, like I was sleepwalking.”

Typical, eccentric Zito.

The left-hander pitched well enough to win for the third time in four starts, and the Oakland Athletics earned their ninth win in 10 games, completing a four-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with a 9-4 victory Thursday.

Zito said he ate a bagel before the game but just a protein shake for dinner Wednesday night. He munched on an energy bar in the middle innings. He called it “irresponsible” and said he would make sure to eat better before his next day start.

“We send him home early and he comes in late and still can’t get breakfast, huh?” teammate Scott Hatteberg said, smiling, as if he’d seen it before.

Erubiel Durazo hit a three-run homer, and Eric Chavez also connected for the AL West-leading A’s, who have a one-game lead over idle Anaheim. Hatteberg added a three-run double for Oakland, which swept the season series 7-0.

The Orioles have lost 10 straight overall, their longest skid since ending the 2002 season with 12 losses.

“When we swept Texas we had confidence,” right fielder Jay Gibbons said, referring to a four-game series earlier this month. “Now we seem to have lost it.”

It was a frustrating return for All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada, who signed with the A’s at 17 out of the Dominican Republic.

Oakland's Barry Zito delivers against Baltimore. Zito and the A's defeated the Orioles, 9-4, Thursday in Oakland, Calif.

Tejada went 1-for-15 in the series, getting a standing ovation after his final at-bat. He also received a lengthy ovation during the opener Monday night, but showed his frustration several times during the series.

“I’m real happy I’m leaving now,” he said. “It’s over.”

Rangers 8, Twins 3

Arlington, Texas — Chan Ho Park pitched six strong innings in his return from the disabled list, and Texas equaled its win total from last year by beating Minnesota. Hank Blalock homered for the fifth time in six games. He and Alfonso Soriano each had three RBIs for the Rangers, who are 21/2 games behind first-place Oakland in the AL West. Texas (71-55) also remained two games behind Boston in the wild-card race.

Park (3-4) allowed two runs and four hits to win for the first time since May 12 against Tampa Bay. He struck out four. The 31-year-old right-hander went on the disabled list May 20 because of a sore back.

White Sox 14, Indians 9

Cleveland — Carl Everett homered and drove in four runs, leading Chicago over Cleveland. Ben Davis hit a two-run homer, and Juan Uribe added a solo shot for Chicago, which won for just the second time in eight games and tied Cleveland for second place in the AL Central. Paul Konerko had three hits and three RBIs. Uribe and Ross Gload each had three of Chicago’s 16 hits.

Yankees 7, Blue Jays 4

Toronto — Alex Rodriguez finally came through in the clutch, hitting a go-ahead single in the ninth inning to help New York rally past Toronto. After the Yankees came back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the score, Derek Jeter drew a leadoff walk from Jason Frasor (4-4) in the ninth. Gary Sheffield doubled before Rodriguez lined an 0-2 pitch down the left-field line for a two-run single and a 6-4 lead.

Red Sox 4, Tigers 1

Boston — Bronson Arroyo gave Boston another strong start, allowing six hits in 71/3 innings in a win over Detroit. Arroyo (7-9) gave up only an unearned run and has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 11 of his last 14 starts.