American League Roundup: Kazmir, Longoria lead Rays

? Rays 4, Athletics 0

Scott Kazmir and two relievers combined on a two-hitter in the left-hander’s first start since winning the All-Star game.

Rookie Evan Longoria homered for the third consecutive game and drove in two runs, helping the AL East leaders win for the third time in four days following a season-worst seven-game losing streak that briefly dropped them out of first place.

The A’s have lost six in a row for their longest skid since they dropped nine straight from July 6-17, 2007. They’ve been held to nine runs during the slide.

Kazmir pitched a scoreless 15th inning on one day’s rest to get the win in Tuesday’s All-Star game. The Rays gave him an extra day to get ready for his first start since July 13, and the left-hander responded with his longest outing since he went eight innings to beat Texas on June 6.

Orioles 8, Blue Jays 3

Baltimore – Adam Jones homered in the second inning, then got a key infield single in a three-run fifth for Baltimore.

Yankees 12, Twins 4

New York – Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer and an RBI single to help the Yankees win their eighth straight home game.

The Yankee Stadium winning streak is the longest since New York won nine straight at home in 2005.

Rangers 6, White Sox 1

Chicago – Josh Hamilton hit a three-run home run, and Hank Blalock added a two-run shot to power Texas.

Indians 5, Angels 2

Anaheim, Calif. – Andy Marte, Casey Blake and Jhonny Peralta hit home runs, and the Indians snapped the AL West leaders’ five-game winning streak.

Paul Byrd allowed a run and nine hits over 51â3 innings for his first victory since June 6. He was 0-5 with a 7.76 ERA in his previous six starts.

Red Sox 4, Mariners 0

Seattle – Local favorite Jon Lester carried a shutout into the eighth inning, and struggling Jason Varitek rewarded his manager’s faith with a two-run homer.