Offerman Gets Key Hit for Red Sox

Jose Offerman’s tiebreaking triple ignited a three-run seventh inning as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Oakland Athletics, 7-4, Wednesday night at Boston in a matchup of the two top contenders for the American League wild-card playoff spot.

The Red Sox lead the A’s by two games.

Seattle 5, Toronto 1--Manager Lou Piniella got his 1,000th win and Jay Buhner hit a two-run homer as the Mariners beat the Blue Jays at Toronto.

It was the Blue Jays’ seventh straight loss.

Piniella (1,000-926) became the 18th manager in major league history with 1,000 wins and 1,000 hits. He is 521-502 with the Mariners.

Texas 6, Cleveland 1--Rafael Palmeiro hit a three-run homer and Royce Clayton had a two-run shot in a five-run seventh inning as the Rangers won their third consecutive game at Cleveland.

Kansas City 3, New York 0--Rookie Dan Reichert pitched seven shutout innings and Rey Sanchez scored a run on Derek Jeter’s eighth-inning throwing error as the Royals beat the Yankees at New York.

For the third night in a row, the Yankees were in a scoreless tie after six innings. New York has 12 runs in five games since routing Minnesota, 14-2, on Friday.

Baltimore 2, Minnesota 0--Scott Erickson pitched his best game of the season, scattering five hits as the Orioles beat the Twins at Baltimore.

Tampa Bay 4, Detroit 0--Wilson Alvarez and Albie Lopez combined on a one-hitter and Terrell Lowery hit a grand slam as the Devil Rays won at Detroit.