Rangers, Rodriguez Win in Grand Style

A day after indicating that he was so frustrated by losing that he would consider a trade, Alex Rodriguez said Thursday that he hopes to remain in Texas for a long time.

Rodriguez hit a game-winning grand slam in the 11th inning Thursday night as the Rangers defeated the Boston Red Sox, 7-3, at Arlington, Texas.

Rodriguez hit an 0-1 pitch from Todd Jones (2-1) into the Ranger bullpen in right-center. It was his 25th homer.

Texas is 45-63 and appears headed for its fourth consecutive last-place finish in the West Division.

The Rangers took a 3-2 lead into the ninth, but Trot Nixon led off with his 20th homer against closer Francisco Cordero.

Oakland 3, Cleveland 1 -- Rookie Rich Harden struck out nine in seven scoreless innings in his home debut, leading the Athletics to their eighth victory in 11 games.

Harden (2-0) gave up three hits and four walks while overpowering the Indians, striking out eight of nine batters during one stretch. In his three starts, he has given up two earned runs in 21 innings while striking out 16.

Seattle 4, Detroit 0 -- Joel Pineiro (13-5) won his eighth consecutive decision and the Mariners completed a three-game sweep at Seattle. It was Seattle’s major league-leading 13th shutout. The Tigers were shut out for the 12th time, also the most in the majors.

Chicago 8, Kansas City 6 -- Pinch-hitter Sandy Alomar had a tiebreaking, two-run double in the top of the 11th inning as the White Sox completed a three-game sweep that moved them within a game of the first-place Royals in the Central Division.

Scott Schoeneweis (2-1), acquired from the Angels on Tuesday, pitched the 10th and 11th innings for Chicago, which has won four in a row and 12 of 13.

Tampa Bay 7, Toronto 6 -- Damian Rolls homered and had three RBIs to help the Devil Rays complete a three-game sweep at Toronto. The Devil Rays went 14-12 in July for their first winning month since June 2000 (15-11).

Minnesota 10, Baltimore 9 -- The Twins scored the tying run from second base on a throwing error on what appeared to be a game-ending strikeout, then won in the bottom of the 10th on Jacque Jones’ single.