Nine-run inning lifts ChiSox

Chicago takes big lead and holds on for dear life

White Sox 11, Indians 10

Cleveland – Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer to highlight Chicago’s nine-run sixth inning.

Konerko’s 19th homer, off reliever Fernando Cabrera, was one of five extra-base hits in the sixth – Chicago’s highest-scoring inning of 2007 – that made it 11-2.

Cleveland got a three-run homer from Franklin Gutierrez in the sixth and then scored five times off four Chicago relievers in the eighth to climb within one.

White Sox closer Bobby Jenks ended the Indians’ bid for their 28th come-from-behind win by pitching the ninth for his 25th save.

Yankees 6, Blue Jays 4

New York – Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer, and New York got another big hit from Andy Phillips.

Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano also connected off Josh Towers (4-6) for the Yankees, who have won nine of 12 overall and four of five since the All-Star break. Mariano Rivera earned his third save in three days.

Troy Glaus homered twice and added a ninth-inning triple, and Alex Rios also went deep for Toronto, which stranded 12 runners.

Rodriguez gave New York a 4-2 lead in the third with his major-league-leading 32nd homer this season and No. 496 of his career. The score was tied 4-all in the sixth when Phillips poked a two-run single that chased Towers.

Rangers 4, Athletics 1

Oakland, Calif. – Jerry Hairston and Marlon Byrd hit two-run doubles, and Jamey Wright pitched seven scoreless innings as Texas handed Oakland its eighth straight loss.

Sammy Sosa doubled and scored two runs for the last-place Rangers, who won their second straight road game to move within 31â2 games of the third-place A’s.

Wright (3-2) had his best start of the season, yielding four hits and three walks. He hadn’t made a start without giving up a run since July 2005.

Eric Gagne came in with two on and no outs in the ninth. He retired two batters before giving up an RBI single to Marco Scutaro. Gagne struck out Kurt Suzuki for his 14th save.

Eric Chavez, who has homers in three of his last five games, sat out because of back troubles.

Mariners 4, Orioles 2

Seattle – Ichiro Suzuki had two hits, and Horacio Ramirez was strong in his return from the disabled list.

Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run double in the sixth inning to give the Mariners a two-run lead.

Suzuki, the designated hitter because of a bruised leg, hit Brian Burres’ second pitch into the left-field corner for an easy double. He then stole third base, his 24th steal, and scored on a groundout.

Ramirez (5-2) allowed five hits and two runs in seven innings in his first start since May 24 because of shoulder tendinitis. J.J. Putz finished the ninth inning for his 27th save.

Ramon Hernandez homered, and Nick Markakis had an RBI single for the Orioles, who had won three straight. Burres (4-4) allowed nine hits and four runs in six innings.