Blake’s Home Run Lifts Indians, 8-7

Casey Blake got comfortable at the right time.

After Julio Lugo hit a tying, two-run homer for Tampa Bay in the ninth inning, Blake homered in the 10th Friday night to give the Cleveland Indians an 8-7 victory over the Devil Rays at Cleveland.

“A homer never crossed my mind, which is a good thing,” said Blake, who sat out the three previous games because of a strained right hamstring. “I was up there hacking early on and was pretty lucky in the 10th.”

Blake’s third homer, his first since April 19, came off Lance Carter (1-2) leading off the inning and sent the Devil Rays to their 15th loss in 18 games.

Tampa Bay (10-24) has not won consecutive games this season, tying the 1945 Philadelphia Phillies for the ninth-longest streak without back-to-back wins at the start of a season -- 10 behind the record set by the 1932 Boston Red Sox.

Rick White (1-0) was helped by poor baserunning by the Devil Rays in the top of the 10th. Jose Cruz Jr. doubled, but was out trying to advance to third on a comebacker by Robert Fick. Fick then was doubled off first on a drive hit by Toby Hall to second baseman Ronnie Belliard.

“How about that baserunning?” Tampa Bay Manager Lou Piniella said. “That’s the difference between winning and losing.”

New York 9, Seattle 5 -- Mike Mussina (4-4) labored through six innings at New York, but the Yankees took advantage of wildness by the Mariner staff. Tony Clark drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth, and Bernie Williams clubbed a two-run double in the seventh. The first four Seattle pitchers combined for 10 walks -- four with the bases loaded.

Oakland 6, Kansas City 2 -- Oakland’s Tim Hudson pitched eight strong innings at Kansas City, Mo., and moved into second place in career winning percentage.

Hudson (4-1) improved to 84-34 for a .712 winning percentage, second only to Spud Chandler (.717) among pitchers with 50 or more victories.

Detroit 7, Texas 1 -- Gary Knotts did not give up a hit until the fifth inning, and Brandon Inge and Omar Infante hit consecutive homers in the second to lead the Tigers to victory at Detroit.

Boston 9, Toronto 3 -- Brian Daubach hit a tiebreaking double in a six-run eighth at Toronto as the Red Sox sent 10 batters to the plate.

Minnesota 3, Chicago 2 -- Jacque Jones had three hits, and Lew Ford drove in the go-ahead run to rally the Twins at Chicago.