Rangers Win With a Big Rally

The Texas Rangers overcame an eight-run deficit for the first time in team history, beating the Oakland Athletics, 17-16, Friday night on pinch-hitter Mike Lamb’s run-scoring single in the ninth inning at Arlington, Texas.

On a night in which neither team took batting practice because of morning showers, the A’s and Rangers combined for six homers, six doubles and 37 hits in the major leagues’ highest-scoring game of the season.

With all 18 starters scoring, the clubs tied an American League record. The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics accomplished the feat June 29, 1950.

New York 12, Baltimore 10--Jorge Posada’s three-run homer in the ninth inning at New York with the infield charging in capped the Yankees’ second rally against Baltimore’s beleaguered bullpen and gave them their fifth straight win.

The game was interrupted in the fifth inning when eight protesters angered by the arrest of protesters on Vieques Island near Puerto Rico rushed the field waving Puerto Rican flags. Security guards ran out and escorted them from the field.

Toronto 11, Cleveland 10--Darrin Fletcher had a game-winning single in the ninth inning and the Blue Jays sent the Indians to their sixth straight loss in the game at Toronto.

Kansas City 5, Chicago 1--Chris Fussell, in the major leagues only because Royal ace Jose Rosado was put on the 15-day disabled list because of tendinitis in his left shoulder, allowed six hits and in a run a career-high seven innings at Kansas City.

Detroit 10, Minnesota 8--The Tigers scored five runs in the seventh at Minneapolis after Twin rookie Matthew LeCroy was called for catcher’s interference.

Boston 5, Tampa Bay 3--The Red Sox hit five doubles against the AL’s worst pitching staff and Carl Everett hit his ninth homer in the game at Boston.