Thomas Homer One for Books

Frank Thomas reached 100 runs batted in for the eighth consecutive season Friday night with a two-run homer that helped the White Sox defeat the Boston Red Sox, 11-9, at Chicago.

Thomas became the first player to accomplish the feat since Willie Mays from 1959-66.

Jim Parque (7-5) gave up seven runs on nine hits in five-plus innings but still earned his fourth consecutive victory. Bill Simas gave up Mo Vaughn’s 36th homer while getting the final three outs for his 18th save.

New York 15, Baltimore 5--David Wells got his 18th victory despite another poor performance and rookie Shane Spencer hit a grand slam in a seven-run ninth for the Yankees at Baltimore.

Wells (18-4) ended his first two-game losing streak of the season even though he gave up five runs, 11 hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings. He has given up 14 runs and 24 hits in his last three starts.

Tampa Bay 6, Toronto 1--Paul Sorrento hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs as the Devil Rays played the spoiler role again at St. Petersburg, Fla.

The loss hurts the Blue Jays, who are running out of time in their effort to catch Boston in the wild-card race. The Devil Rays are 5-3 during a season-ending 18-game stretch against playoff contenders.

Detroit 5, Minnesota 4--Tony Clark hit a leadoff homer in the 11th inning to give the Tigers a win at Detroit and extend the Twins’ losing streak to nine games.

Clark hit the first pitch of the 11th from Mike Trombley (5-5) off the right-field roof for his career-high 33rd homer.

Cleveland 4, Kansas City 1--Jaret Wright got his first win in nearly a month despite walking seven in five innings at Cleveland.

Wright (12-9) gave up one run and four hits in a shaky tuneup for the postseason.