D-Rays still charmed against Dice-K

Devil Rays 2, Red Sox 1

St. Petersburg, Fla. – B.J. Upton hit a two-run homer Wednesday night, and Tampa Bay beat Daisuke Matsuzaka for the third time this season.

Edwin Jackson (4-12) overcame control problems to limit Boston to one run in six innings. He allowed five hits, five walks and struck out three. The Red Sox, who won the first two games of the series, stranded 14 runners in the game.

David Ortiz walked and J.D. Drew singled in the ninth before Al Reyes retired Jason Varitek for his 19th save in 21 opportunities.

Tampa Bay is 3-9 this year against Boston, with all three wins coming against Matsuzaka (13-10).

Indians 11, Tigers 8

Detroit – Franklin Gutierrez hit a three-run homer, and the Indians increased their lead in the AL Central to 11â2 games over Detroit. The Indians overcame homers by Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez and Marcus Thames to tie the series at a game apiece.

Twins 8, Mariners 4

Minneapolis – Michael Cuddyer’s grand slam fueled a seven-run first inning for Minnesota against Miguel Batista, and the Twins ended the Mariners’ winning streak at five.

Carlos Silva (10-12), who entered with the second-worst run support among AL starters, cruised with the big lead and completed seven innings for his first victory this month. Silva gave up two runs and eight hits, hitting one batter and striking out three.

Athletics 4, Blue Jays 1

Toronto – Esteban Loaiza won in his season debut by outpitching A.J. Burnett, and the Athletics beat the Blue Jays to complete a three-game sweep. Oakland (64-64) has won four straight and eight of 10, reaching .500 for the first time since it was 44-44 at the All-Star break. Toronto dropped to .500 at 63-63.

Loaiza (1-0), sidelined since March with neck and knee injuries, allowed one run and three hits in 72â3 innings. He struck out four and walked two, throwing 110 pitches. After Aaron Hill’s solo homer in the fifth, Loaiza retired 12 of his next 13 batters.

Yankees 8, Angels 2

Anaheim, Calif. – Andy Pettitte won his fifth consecutive start, and New York salvaged the finale of their three-game series against Los Angeles. Pettitte (11-7) allowed five hits in seven sharp innings.