Yankee Streak Ended at Eight by Rangers

Alex Rodriguez silenced the boisterous New York crowd with a home run. Michael Young’s single made the most noise in the Texas clubhouse.

Young hit a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning Tuesday night to cap the Rangers’ 6-2 victory over the Yankees at New York.

Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez homered as the Rangers won for the eighth time in nine games to finish their first winning month (17-10) since May 2000.

The Yankees’ loss snapped an eight-game winning streak, but they remained 3 1/2 games ahead of Boston in the American League East.

Texas is 25-16 since June 15, but trails Seattle by 28 games in the AL West.

“The young guys are trying to emerge as regular players,” Alex Rodriguez said. “Our last 40 to 50 games we’ve been playing well. This is a year we have to build on.”

Young’s single drove in fellow rookie Craig Monroe and second-year player Mike Lamb, a former high school teammate at La Puente Bishop Amat.

“He’s really advanced quickly. He’s not just going up there swinging at first pitches,” Texas Manager Jerry Narron said.

Booed heartily by the crowd of 45,978 in his first trip to New York since signing a $252 million contract, Alex Rodriguez hit his 29th home run to lead off the seventh and tie it at 2-2.

One out later, Ivan Rodriguez hit his 21st homer to chase Ted Lilly (3-4).

Darren Oliver (9-6) won his second consecutive start after losing four in a row.

Oakland 11, Cleveland 2--Eric Chavez hit a three-run homer at Cleveland during the Athletics’ eight-run third inning as they improved to 13-6 since the all-star break, completing a 19-8 month.

Cory Lidle (5-5) gave up two runs and six hits in a career-high eight innings, matching his best with seven strikeouts.

Toronto 3, Minnesota 1--Brian Buchanan, playing right field after the trade of Matt Lawton to the New York Mets, dropped a fly ball that let Brad Fullmer circle the bases with the go-ahead run at Toronto.

With the score 1-1 in the seventh, Fullmer hit a fly ball to shallow right field off Joe Mays (12-8), and it kicked off the glove of Buchanan and rolled to first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. His throw to second sailed into left as Fullmer scored.

Detroit 4, Seattle 2--Jose Lima (3-2) gave up two runs and six hits in eight innings at Detroit as the Tigers won their third in a row and stopped the Mariners’ four-game winning streak.

Aaron Sele (12-3) gave up four runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. Sele has lost two in a row after winning his previous four starts.

Kansas City 2, Chicago 1--Brent Mayne’s RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning gave the Royals the victory at Chicago.

Paul Byrd (3-4) gave up five hits and no walks in nine innings, and Mike Sweeney homered for the Royals, who had lost 18 of 25.

Tampa Bay 5, Baltimore 4--Ben Grieve had two hits and two RBIs, helping overcome a two-run single by Cal Ripken, who extended his hitting streak to 11 and with 3,143 hits moved past Robin Yount into 15th place at Baltimore.