Zito Ends Drought, Athletics Move Up

Barry Zito ended a five-game losing streak and the Oakland Athletics finally pushed ahead of Boston in the American League wild-card race.

Zito (9-10) pitched into the sixth inning for his first victory since July 3, and Eric Chavez and Terrence Long homered during Oakland’s five-run first inning, and the A’s beat the Red Sox, 5-3, Tuesday night at Oakland.

Oakland relievers Chad Bradford and Keith Foulke escaped tough jams and the A’s hung on for their 11th victory in 13 games at the Coliseum. Foulke pitched the last two innings for his 29th save in 33 chances.

With their second consecutive victory in a key four-game series, the A’s pulled one game ahead of the Red Sox atop the wild-card chase.

Boston outfielder Trot Nixon and Manager Grady Little were ejected in the seventh inning. Nixon was tossed for arguing a called third strike, and plate umpire Dan Iassogna ejected Little after the manager argued Nixon’s dismissal.

*

Seattle 3, Toronto 1 -- Freddy Garcia ended a career-worst six-game losing streak, outpitching Roy Halladay at Seattle.

Garcia (10-12) overcame a shaky start, winning for the first time in eight starts. Shigetoshi Hasegawa, who has not given up a run in 26 innings since June 1, earned his 11th save in 11 chances.

Halladay (16-4) threw a six-hitter for his fourth complete game but lost for the second time in three starts.

*

New York 6, Kansas City 0 -- Mike Mussina pitched eight shutout innings and Jorge Posada went four for five at Kansas City, Mo.

Mussina (13-6) gave up four hits, struck out five and walked four. Posada had a homer, a double and two singles. It was his ninth career four-hit game.

*

Cleveland 9, Minnesota 6 -- Ryan Ludwick hit two home runs at Minneapolis and the Indians ended the Twins’ four-game winning streak.

Ludwick, Angel Santos and Casey Blake homered during a four-run seventh inning that put the Indians ahead, 8-4.

*

Detroit 7, Texas 4 -- Jeremy Bonderman (6-15) pitched seven solid innings and Brandon Inge drove in three runs at Arlington, Texas, to spoil the major league debut of right-hander Juan Dominguez.

*

Tampa Bay 4, Baltimore 2 -- Rob Bell (3-2) took a one-hitter into the eighth inning and Damian Rolls hit a two-run double to lift the Devil Rays at St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Devil Rays are 15-11 since the All-Star break.