Rangers’ Rogers Quiets A’s, Crowd

Kenny Rogers ignored the boos and pitched another gem at Oakland.

Making his third start since shoving two cameramen June 29, Rogers gave up six hits in seven innings to lead the Texas Rangers over the Athletics, 10-8, Saturday.

Rogers (11-4), who will learn at a hearing Thursday whether his 20-game suspension will be shortened, won for the 20th time in his last 21 decisions at Oakland.

“Kenny has probably been the MVP of this club,” shortstop Michael Young said. “I don’t know where we’d be without him. Whenever we need a well-pitched game and it’s Kenny’s turn, we’re in good shape.”

Third baseman Hank Blalock matched his career high with four hits, including a home run and two doubles, to help the Rangers end a three-game road losing streak.

Jay Payton hit his second homer in as many games for the A’s, whose winning streak ended at five games.

New York 7, Boston 4 -- Randy Johnson struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings and Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer to start a six-run third inning at Boston.

Johnson (10-6) won his third consecutive start to help New York pull within 1 1/2 games of Boston in the American League East. The Yankees have won nine of 11.

Johnny Damon singled in the sixth to extend his hitting streak to 28 games -- the longest in the majors this season and tied for fourth-longest in Red Sox history.

Chicago 7, Cleveland 5 -- Mark Buehrle (11-3) gave up two runs and three hits in seven innings to lead the White Sox at Cleveland.

Buehrle hit two batters, however, including Travis Hafner in the cheek in the first inning. Hafner was taken to a hospital for observation.

Seattle 3, Baltimore 2 -- Rookie Mike Morse lined a single to right field in the bottom of the ninth after a throwing error by reliever Chris Ray (0-1) put a runner on third base.

Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro had two hits and is at 3,003, four shy of tying Al Kaline for No. 24 on the all-time list.

Detroit 5, Kansas City 3 -- Brandon Inge drove in three runs and the Tigers took advantage of four errors.

Jason Johnson (6-7) improved to 4-1 at Comerica Park, where he has a 1.95 earned-run average in 10 starts this year.

Tampa Bay 6, Toronto 5 -- Carl Crawford homered and drove in three runs at Toronto and former Blue Jay Mark Hendrickson (4-6) won for the first time since June 23, a span of five starts.