Miller’s Hitting Carries Athletics

Damian Miller had three hits, including a three-run home run, and Oakland’s big bats overcame a poor start by Barry Zito in a 10-9 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night at Arlington, Texas.

Although Zito (1-1) never trailed in his five innings, he squandered a 6-0 lead and the Athletics led by only a run before Miller’s first homer made it 10-6 in the fourth.

Miller, hitting only .125 coming into the game, was three for four with a walk and a double. Eric Byrnes had three hits, and Jermaine Dye had a homer and a run-scoring double.

The A’s had 16 hits, seven of them for extra bases, in their first road game. Every starter had a hit, and five players had more than one.

And all of that offense still almost wasn’t enough for the A’s and Zito, who is 12-1 in 19 career starts against Texas.

The Rangers got within 10-9 with a three-run seventh. Brad Fullmer led off with his first homer, Eric Young walked and scored on a passed ball against Miller, and Michael Young had his second run-scoring single.

Toronto 7, Detroit 5 -- Josh Phelps broke a ninth-inning tie with a run-scoring single to give the Blue Jays a comeback victory over the Tigers at Detroit.

Frank Catalanotto started the ninth with an infield single when pitcher Danny Patterson and third baseman Omar Infante collided going after a slow roller. After Patterson retired Vernon Wells, Steve Colyer relieved and walked Carlos Delgado.

Phelps followed with a single to left, scoring Catalanotto. Craig Monroe’s throw home hit Catalanotto and went into the dugout, allowing a second run to score.

Chicago 12, Kansas City 5 -- Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer to help Esteban Loaiza get his second win, and the White Sox beat the Royals at Chicago.

Konerko made it 7-4 in the fifth, connecting off Darrell May (0-2) following walks to Frank Thomas and Carlos Lee. Loaiza (2-0) gave up seven hits and five earned runs in six innings.

Baltimore at Boston, ppd. -- The game involving the Orioles and Red Sox was postponed because of rain. The Red Sox said the game wouldn’t be made up during this series.

Tampa Bay at New York, ppd. -- The game involving the Devil Rays and Yankees was postponed because of rain. No makeup date was announced.