Twins 4, Athletics 3

Minneapolis – The Twins’ victory over Oakland on Sunday resembled many of their wins from last season. There was solid starting pitching, timely hitting and pesky base-running.

Perhaps that’s why many Minnesota players hope their latest game will start another improbable run to the playoffs.

Joe Mauer singled home the winning run in the ninth inning after Justin Morneau hit a tying homer in the eighth, and the Twins completed a four-game sweep of the slumping Athletics with a 4-3 victory.

“It’s kind of feelings of last year at this time,” Minnesota third baseman Nick Punto said. “Guys were coming up with big hits with a guy on base, and I kind of see signs of last year. Hopefully we can get on some kind of roll like we did last year.”

Eric Chavez homered for the A’s, who have lost seven in a row – their longest skid since also dropping seven straight in late May last season.

Tigers 11, Mariners 7

Seattle – Justin Verlander earned his 11th win, and Marcus Thames hit a three-run homer off Jeff Weaver, helping Detroit gain a four-game split in an entertaining series between surging teams.

Blue Jays 2, Red Sox 1

Boston – Jesse Litsch held Boston to one run in 62â3 innings, and Lyle Overbay had three hits off All-Star game winner Josh Beckett to lead Toronto past Boston.

Yankees 7, Devil Rays 6

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Derek Jeter hit a two-run homer, Andy Phillips snapped an eighth-inning tie with an RBI single, and New York rallied to climb above .500 for the first time in more than three weeks.

Rangers 5, Angels 4, 11 inn.

Anaheim, Calif. – Mark Teixeira homered leading off the 11th inning and had an RBI double in the eighth, leading Texas.

Orioles 5, White Sox 3

Baltimore – Brian Roberts and Corey Patterson homered, Garrett Olson earned his first major-league win, and Baltimore handed Chicago’s Jose Contreras his American League-high 11th loss.