Rays zap embarrassing loss

Tampa Bay beats Yanks 18 hours after 20-11 rout

? Comeback win, curious loss. The New York Yankees’ roller-coaster season rambles on.

Nick Green hit a go-ahead, three-run homer, Scott Kazmir pitched seven solid innings, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays rebounded from an embarrassing defeat with a 5-3 victory Wednesday over New York.

Less than 18 hours after allowing 13 runs in the eighth inning of a 20-11 loss, the last-place Devil Rays improved to 6-3 against the Yankees, who got another home run from Gary Sheffield but little else.

“This was a tough loss, there’s no question, after last night,” manager Joe Torre said. “This one was a little bit of a setback and a surprise because it felt like we were going to win the game.”

Jonny Gomes hit a two-run shot for Tampa Bay, which is 3-2 at Yankee Stadium this season and 4-27 in all other road games.

“For our kids to bounce back, I’m really proud of them,” manager Lou Piniella said.

As has been the case all season, the inconsistent Yankees failed to follow an uplifting victory with another sound ballgame.

Somewhat lost in the euphoria of New York’s startling comeback Tuesday night from an early eight-run deficit was Randy Johnson’s lousy outing. Carl Pavano was better, but Torre left him in one batter too long.

With the Yankees leading 3-2 in the seventh, Pavano (4-6) issued a leadoff walk to Gomes. Two outs later, the right-hander hit Toby Hall with a pitch for the second time.

Tampa Bay's Toby Hall, center, greets Nick Green at home plate in front of Yankees catcher John Flaherty, left, after Green hit a three-run home run. Tampa Bay beat New York, 5-3, Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Green, the No. 9 batter, stunned the crowd of 48,452 by driving a 1-2 pitch over the left-field fence, beyond a leaping Ruben Sierra, for a 5-3 lead.

“I know he was tiring, but like I said, that was going to be his last batter, and we thought he could get through that,” Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. “One pitch made it a negative outing.”

It was the 16th home run allowed this year by Pavano, matching his total last season with Florida.

Red Sox 5, Indians 4

Cleveland – Edgar Renteria’s RBI double in the ninth inning off Bob Wickman helped Boston complete a three-game sweep of Cleveland.

Trailing 4-2 in the eighth, the Red Sox staged their 20th come-from-behind victory of the season. Renteria and John Olerud hit solo homers, and Keith Foulke (5-3) pitched 11â3 scoreless innings for Boston.

Tigers 8, Twins 1

Minneapolis – Nate Robertson pitched Detroit’s second complete game in a row, and Omar Infante had a home run and three RBIs to lead the Tigers over the slumping Twins.

The Tigers roughed up Twins starter Joe Mays (3-3), scoring six runs on eight hits in just four innings, snapping Mays’ eight-game winning streak against Detroit.

Blue Jays 3, Orioles 2

Toronto – Pete Walker won as a starter for the first time since 2002, leading Toronto over Baltimore.

Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro hit his 561st career homer and is two from tying Reggie Jackson for ninth on the all-time list. Palmeiro also is 17 hits shy of 3000.

Walker (3-0) pitched in Japan last year and was working out of the bullpen this season before being inserted into the rotation because David Bush and Chad Gaudin were struggling. Walker allowed two runs on five hits in 51â3 innings for his first win as a starter since Sept. 27, 2002, against Detroit. He struck out three and walked none.

Miguel Batista pitched 12â3 innings for his 13th save in 14th chances.

Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora missed the game because of a strained right hamstring and is day to day.

Angels 6, Rangers 0

Anaheim, Calif. – Jarrod Washburn combined with two relievers on a six-hitter, and Los Angeles dealt Kenny Rogers his first loss in 10 decisions to complete a three-game sweep.

Juan Rivera and Bengie Molina homered for the Angels, who have won seven of nine this season against the Rangers.

Texas is a season-worst 41â2 games out of first following its 10th loss in 15 games.

Washburn (4-3) allowed five hits over seven innings, struck out three and walked one. The left-hander won for the first time in 11 starts at Anaheim since July 15.

One night after handing Chan Ho Park his first loss in seven decisions spanning 11 starts, the Angels sent Rogers (9-3) to his first defeat in 11 starts stretching back to April 21.

Rogers allowed six runs, 10 hits and three walks in 31â3 innings.