Mariners’ Franklin Shuts Out Athletics

Ryan Franklin pitched a two-hitter and the Seattle Mariners capitalized on six walks by Barry Zito to defeat the Oakland Athletics, 6-0, Wednesday night at Seattle.

Randy Winn hit a solo home run and John Olerud drove in four runs, and the Mariners increased their lead over the A’s to five games in the American League West.

Franklin (7-8) finally got some offensive support. His teammates had scored a total of 12 runs in his eight losses this season, but the Mariners delivered this time.

Miguel Tejada had a two-out double in the fourth and Scott Hatteberg singled with one out in the ninth for the only hits against Franklin, who walked three and struck out three.

Zito (8-8) tied a career high with his six walks and lost his third consecutive decision, only the second time the 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner has lost more than two in a row.

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New York 4, Baltimore 2 -- Andy Pettitte tied a career high by winning his seventh consecutive decision and the host Yankees ended the Orioles’ six-game winning streak.

Pettitte (12-6) improved to 16-4 against the Orioles and handed them their first loss since the All-Star break.

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Boston 10, Tampa Bay 4 -- Trot Nixon homered twice, including a grand slam in a seven-run seventh, and tied a career high with five runs batted in.

The Red Sox rallied for their fifth consecutive victory overall and have won 15 of 17 at Fenway Park.

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Kansas City 8, Minnesota 3 -- Aaron Guiel homered twice, and Carlos Beltran, Raul Ibanez and Angel Berroa also homered at Minneapolis.

The AL Central-leading Royals improved to 8-3 against the Twins this year and dropped the defending division champions 6 1/2 games out of first place.

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Cleveland 4, Detroit 1 -- Brian Anderson (8-7) gave up one run and five hits in seven innings at Cleveland and the Indians ended a seven-game losing streak.

The 2-hour 4-minute game was the fastest in the history of Jacobs Field, which opened in 1994.

Detroit is on pace to lose 119 games.

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Chicago 7, Toronto 6 -- Magglio Ordonez hit a score-tying two-run double in the top of the ninth inning and reliever Dan Reichert hit Paul Konerko with a pitch to score the go-ahead run.