Texas Chops Seattle

The Texas Rangers abandoned the long ball for one night, and still beat the Seattle Mariners.

Texas’ record streak of 27 games with a home run came to an end, but pinch-hitter Todd Greene drove in the go-ahead run with an infield chopper in Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory over the Mariners at Arlington, Texas.

“We didn’t get one, but the home run record is already ours,” said catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who went two for three. “It’s good to beat a contending team by doing the little things. We’ve got a chance to do some damage in our division.”

The Rangers had gone 50 consecutive games with at least one homer at The Ballpark in Arlington.

Greene’s grounder in the eighth inning against Arthur Rhodes with the infield in was chopped so high that third baseman Desi Relaford had to take the out at first, allowing pinch-runner Donnie Sadler to score from third.

“Sometimes you just can’t catch a break,” Relaford said. “It was a decent pitch, but you’ve got a fast runner on third. You’ve got a guy known for hitting fly balls and striking out and he chops one. But he did his job.”

Seattle wasted another opportunity to help itself in the American League wild-card race, leaving 11 runners on base.

The Mariners had seven baserunners in the first three innings, but they managed only one run during that span.

The Mariners scored a run in the second with the help of a throwing error by starter Kenny Rogers.

Singles by Dan Wilson and Jeff Cirillo put runners on first and second, and Ichiro Suzuki bunted. Rogers’ off-balance throw to third got past Herbert Perry and Wilson scored.

Texas tied the score, 1-1, in the second on Carl Everett’s run-scoring groundout.

New York 5-3, Baltimore 2-1--Raul Mondesi homered and Jeff Weaver pitched well in a rare start, and the Yankees completed a sweep of a split doubleheader at New York.

Rookie Juan Rivera drove in two runs, including a tiebreaking single in the seventh, and Andy Pettitte (10-5) gave up one run in 7 1/3 innings in the first game.

Weaver (9-11), making his second start since Aug. 1, gave up one run and four hits in eight innings. The Yankees have won seven of eight and reduced their magic number to 10 for clinching their fifth consecutive AL East title. Baltimore has lost 16 of 17.

Minnesota 11, Detroit 4--Torii Hunter hit a three-run homer in the first inning for Minnesota and threw out two runners from center field at Minneapolis.

Dustan Mohr went three for four with a homer for the Twins, who lowered their magic number to five for clinching the AL Central and earning their first playoff berth since winning the World Series in 1991. Detroit has lost 11 of 13.

Boston 12, Tampa Bay 1--John Burkett (11-7) gave up one run and six hits in seven innings at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Burkett had been 0-4 with an 8.47 earned-run average in his previous seven starts.

Manny Ramirez homered for the second consecutive game and has seven homers and 20 runs batted in against Tampa Bay this season. Doug Mirabelli and Nomar Garciaparra each hit two-run homers.

Toronto 5, Cleveland 4--Mark Wohlers (2-4) threw Vernon Wells’ ninth-inning grounder into center field, allowing Shannon Stewart to score the go-ahead run from second base at Cleveland.

Cleveland’s Victor Martinez, making his major league debut, singled to drive in two runs in the seventh to tie the score, 4-4.

Chicago 12, Kansas City 4--Jeff Liefer hit his first career grand slam, and Paul Konerko drove in three runs at Kansas City, Mo.

The Royals tied a club record with their eighth consecutive loss at home.

Konerko reached 100 RBIs for the first time in his career.