Athletics Suddenly in a Slump

Mark Mulder has lost his edge, and the Oakland Athletics are in ever-greater danger of losing their spot atop the American League West.

Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer off Mulder, and the Texas Rangers kept creeping back into the playoff chase with a 10-3 victory over the A’s on Wednesday night at Oakland.

Hank Blalock had a homer and a two-run double, and Alfonso Soriano also homered and drove in two runs for the Rangers, who have won two of three in the key four-game series against the struggling division leaders.

Teixeira’s 36th homer in the sixth inning was the decisive blow against Mulder, who failed in his fourth attempt to get his 18th victory.

The Rangers’ playoff hopes seemed dead last week, but they moved within four games of the A’s, who remained two games ahead of the second-place Angels, who lost at Seattle, 1-0. Texas hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999.

With extra security officers seated near the Texas bullpen after Monday’s chair-throwing incident, the Rangers won for the fifth time in six games.

Reliever Frank Francisco, who made his initial court appearance earlier Wednesday after police booked him on a charge of felony aggravated assault, was booed loudly by the Coliseum crowd when he walked alone to the bullpen midway through the seventh inning.

A few moments later, several policemen descended into the stands above the bullpen to speak to someone in the crowd. The Rangers relievers all stood and watched, but no fans were seen escorted out.

Francisco was booed again when he warmed up while the Rangers batted in the ninth.

Mulder (17-5) was wild and inconsistent and gave up 11 hits and a season-high eight runs.

Boston 8, Tampa Bay 6 -- Manny Ramirez hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and Kevin Millar and Mark Bellhorn had two-run homers to lift the Red Sox at Boston.

The Red Sox, who remained four games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East, avoided losing three in a row for the first time since July 2.

With the score tied, 6-6, in the sixth, Boston loaded the bases with none out on walks to Doug Mirabelli, Kevin Youkilis and Johnny Damon. One batter later, Ramirez lined out to right, scoring pinch-runner Adam Hyzdu.

Mike Myers (5-1) recorded two outs for the win. Mike Timlin worked a perfect eighth, and Keith Foulke pitched the ninth for his 29th save in 34 chances.

New York 3, Kansas City 0 -- Javier Vazquez pitched the Yankees to their second consecutive shutout, and Derek Jeter homered and doubled twice at Kansas City, Mo.

The Yankees are off today before beginning a three-game series against the Red Sox on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

Jason Giambi went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in his second game back from the disabled list. He is hitless in his last 28 major league at-bats, the longest slump of his career.

Minnesota 6, Chicago 1 -- Carlos Silva pitched one-hit ball into the sixth inning at Minneapolis before leaving because of a bruised right ankle, and the Twins won their eighth in a row.

Minnesota reduced its magic number to six for clinching the division. The AL Central leader has a 12 1/2 -game cushion over second-place Chicago with 17 games left.

The Twins also played without manager Ron Gardenhire, who left the Metrodome before the game because of flu-like symptoms.

Cleveland 5, Detroit 3 -- Ben Broussard’s two-run double sparked a three-run eighth inning, sending the Indians over the Tigers at Cleveland.

Toronto 3, Baltimore 0 -- Ted Lilly pitched eight scoreless innings at Toronto, and the Blue Jays ended a four-game losing streak with a win over the Orioles.