ROUNDUP : Varitek Delivers Key Blow for Red Sox

Jason Varitek has shown the Boston Red Sox who their everyday catcher needs to be.

Varitek’s second home run of the game at Seattle, a three-run shot in the eighth inning, gave the Red Sox a 9-7 victory over the Mariners on Sunday and some breathing room in the American League wild-card race.

“You can practice defensively and take batting practice all day, but you learn so much more from playing every day,” said Varitek, a part-time player last season.

With an injury early in the season to starting catcher Scott Hatteberg, Varitek has played nearly every day, hitting .266 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs.

“He’s been very consistent all year long,” Manager Jimy Williams said. “He’s become an outstanding catcher in the league. He’s one of the most focused players I’ve seen in a long time.”

Boston moved two games ahead of Oakland and four games ahead of Toronto in the wild-card race.

After Boston starter Mark Portugal got shelled for five runs in 2 1/3 innings, John Wasdin, Rich Garces and Derek Lowe held the Mariners to only six hits and two runs the rest of the game. Garces (4-1) picked up the victory going two innings while Lowe picked up his 11th save in 14 opportunities pitching the final two innings.

Nomar Garciaparra was four for five with a homer, raising his average to a league-leading .354.

Detroit 5, Oakland 4--Tony Clark had a two-run home run and a sacrifice fly as the Tigers defeated the Athletics at Oakland.

Willie Blair (2-10) gave up three runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings for his first victory since May 8. Blair has only made three starts since May 26, his last coming Aug. 24.

The crowd booed A’s starter Jimmy Haynes (7-12) after he gave up his fifth run in 2 2/3 innings, and Manager Art Howe responded by calling in Mike Oquist, who got the last out of the inning. Haynes extended his losing streak to a career-high five games.

Jason Giambi hit a solo homer, his 26th of the season, in the fourth inning off Blair, giving him 100 runs batted in. He’s joins Jose Canseco as the only the Oakland players with consecutive 100 RBI seasons.

Kansas City 6, Toronto 3--Jay Witasick pitched eight strong innings and Ray Holbert had a career-high four hits as the Royals avoided a sweep at home to the Blue Jays.

Witasick (6-11) gave up three runs and 10 hits to win for only the third time in his last 12 starts. He was lifted after giving up a leadoff homer to pinch-hitter Willie Greene in the ninth.

Holbert went four for four, scored three times and stole two bases as Kansas City broke a five-game losing streak against the Blue Jays, who won the first two games of the series.

Toronto’s Shawn Green went three for four with his career-high 36th home run, a solo shot in the first inning.

Minnesota 4, Tampa Bay 1--Brad Radke pitched a five-hitter and Todd Walker hit an inside-the-park homer as the Twins defeated the Devil Rays at St. Petersburg, Fla.

After giving up one run and two hits in the first inning, Radke (12-12) retired 22 of the final 24 batters he faced, including 13 in a row at one point, for his fourth complete game of the season and 18th of his career.

Walker’s homer in the fourth inning put the Twins up, 2-1. The inside-the-park homer was the 45th in Twins history and the first since Roberto Kelly did it on Aug. 8, 1997.

Walker’s drive deflected off the glove of Tampa Bay center fielder Randy Winn as he tried to make a leaping catch at the warning track. Left fielder Dave Martinez backed up the play, but Walker easily beat the relay throw to the plate.

Chicago at Texas--Sunday night’s game between the White Sox and Rangers was rained out and will be made up today as part of a doubleheader.