Boston’s Ramirez Keeps Producing

Manny Ramirez added to his major league-leading total for runs batted in with a three-run home run and a run-scoring single Tuesday night, and Boston defeated Kansas City, 6-4, at Fenway Park for its sixth consecutive victory.

It was the fifth consecutive loss for the Royals, who have the American League’s worst record after being swept in four games by Tampa Bay.

Tim Wakefield (10-9) gave up four runs and six hits and struck out seven in seven innings, retiring 15 of his last 16 batters to move into third place on Boston’s career victory list. Only Cy Young and Roger Clemens, who won 192 apiece, have more.

Curt Schilling pitched the ninth for his sixth save.

It was Ramirez’s first start since the trade deadline, when the Red Sox shopped him around before deciding not to unload their quirky slugger and the $64 million he will earn through 2008.

Boston rallied for three runs against Ambiorix Burgos (1-4) in the seventh to take the lead.

Jose Cruz Jr., making his Red Sox debut, walked and was replaced by pinch-runner Adam Stern. Tony Graffanino singled and, when right fielder Emil Brown let the ball get past him for an error, Stern scored to tie it and Graffanino went to second.

Johnny Damon singled to give Boston a 5-4 lead. David Ortiz singled with one out and Ramirez singled to drive in Damon, his 97th RBI.

Cleveland 6, New York 5 -- Scott Elarton (7-5) gave up three runs and four hits in six innings at Cleveland as the Indians won the opener of their three-game series against the Yankees. Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees hit his 29th homer.

Oakland 5, Minnesota 2 -- Mark Kotsay had three hits and scored the go-ahead run, and Danny Haren (8-7) pitched seven strong innings at Minneapolis to lead the Athletics to their sixth win in a row.

Haren gave up eight hits and two runs and struck out six, running his unbeaten streak to 13 consecutive starts -- 8-0 during that span.

The Twins lost their sixth in a row, their longest losing streak since an eight-game skid in July 2003.

Seattle 4, Detroit 1 -- Raul Ibanez’s two-run single capped a three-run eighth inning for the Mariners at Detroit.

Julio Mateo (3-4) worked an inning for the victory. Eddie Guardado got his 25th save in 26 chances.

Toronto 7, Chicago 3 -- Russ Adams hit two home runs, including going back-to-back with Orlando Hudson in the second inning at Chicago, and the Blue Jays roughed up Jon Garland (15-5).

Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer for the White Sox, whose four-game winning streak ended.

Tampa Bay 10, Texas 8 -- Carl Crawford had two triples, two doubles and three RBIs to lead the Devil Rays at Arlington, Texas.

Crawford matched a team record for the most extra-base hits in a game, previously set by Jose Cruz Jr. and Randy Winn.

Alex Gonzalez homered and Jorge Cantu drove in three runs for the Devil Rays, 13-5 since the All-Star break.