Rangers Hand Yankees Another Loss

Talk about role reversals.

Texas had been swept in Boston and limped into New York with the highest earned-run average in the major leagues.

So what happened?

The Rangers swept three games at Yankee Stadium for the first time in the franchise’s 43-year existence.

“It’s a very tough task, something we’re very proud of,” Alex Rodriguez said Sunday after John Thomson’s three-hitter led Texas to a 5-1 victory.

Juan Gonzalez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fourth off Mike Mussina (7-2), who lost his second start in a row after winning his first seven, and New York’s offense sputtered again.

The Yankees have lost six of seven and are 9-13 since an 18-3 start. New York has lost three consecutive series for the first time since May 1999 and is tied for first in the AL East with the Red Sox heading into a three-game series at Fenway Park.

Seattle 6, Detroit 2 -- Mike Maroth became the second pitcher in Tiger history to lose his first nine decisions of the season, and the Mariners got eight strong innings from Joel Pineiro to win at Detroit.

Bret Boone, Carlos Guillen and Greg Colbrunn homered for the Mariners.

Maroth gave up six runs and eight hits in five innings to join Ted Gray (1953) as the only Tiger pitchers to start the season 0-9.

Minnesota 3, Chicago 2 -- Tom Gordon’s wild pitch and shortstop Jose Valentin’s throwing error let the Twins score twice in the eighth inning for a three-game sweep at Minneapolis. Minnesota moved into sole possesion of first place in the AL Central for the first time this season.

Minnesota first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz sprained his left ankle in the second inning and is expected to be sit out at least 10 days.

Tampa Bay 9, Baltimore 8 -- Aubrey Huff doubled in the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning and Travis Lee went four for five with three RBIs at Baltimore as the Devil Rays won three road series in a row for the first time in club history.

Toronto 4, Kansas City 3 -- Josh Phelps hit a three-run homer to lift the Blue Jays to a three-game sweep of the Royals at Kansas City, Mo. The Royals have lost 15 of 23 after starting the season 16-3.

Oakland 8, Cleveland 5 -- Eric Byrnes hit a tiebreaking RBI single in a five-run ninth inning at Cleveland against Indian closer Danys Baez as the Athletics avoided a three-game sweep.