Hunter Helps Twins Move Back Into First

Torii Hunter and the Minnesota Twins headed home in first place.

Hunter tied his career high with five runs batted in as the Twins defeated the Indians, 13-6, Monday night at Cleveland and took sole possession of the American League Central lead for the first time since June 30.

“I’m so pumped up for every series, every game right now,” Hunter said. “We’re playing good ball. It’s the right time of year for that.”

Hunter, Michael Ryan and Cristian Guzman each drove in two runs during an eight-run sixth inning. Hunter added a three-run homer in the ninth off Terry Mulholland, giving him 99 RBIs, a career high.

Minnesota won three straight after losing the series opener.

“Mission accomplished. We’re going home with the lead,” Manager Ron Gardenhire said. “We’ll see what happens now. This is where you want to be, in the pennant race at the end. We’re excited.”

Minnesota (81-69) moved a half-game ahead of idle Chicago (80-69). The defending AL Central champions, 37-20 since the All-Star break, begin a three-game series today against the White Sox, the start of an eight-game home stand.

New York 13, Baltimore 1 -- Alfonso Soriano went four for five with two home runs, and Aaron Boone also connected twice at Baltimore.

Jorge Posada drove in three runs, and Hideki Matsui became the third Yankee rookie to amass 100 RBIs, joining Joe DiMaggio (125 in 1936) and Tony Lazzeri (114 in 1926).

Texas 6, Seattle 4 -- Rafael Palmeiro and Mark Teixeira homered at Arlington, Texas, and the Rangers ended a five-game losing streak.

Palmeiro’s shot made him the second player in major league history to reach 35 homers and 100 RBIs in nine straight seasons. Jimmie Foxx is the other player to do it.

Boston 8, Tampa Bay 2 -- Derek Lowe won his fifth straight decision, and Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz homered at Boston. The Red Sox increased their wild-card lead to 1 1/2 games over Seattle.

Kansas City 10, Detroit 4 -- The Tigers lost at Detroit to become the first AL team to lose 111 games since the 1939 St. Louis Browns. At 38-111, Detroit has the most defeats in the majors since the 1965 New York Mets lost 112 times.