Devil Rays’ Nomo Earns His 199th Win

Hideo Nomo’s best performance of the season moved him a step closer to another milestone.

The 36-year-old right-hander took a shutout into the eighth inning Thursday, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays held on for a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at St. Petersburg, Fla., that left Nomo one victory shy of the 200 he needs for membership in the Meikyuakai -- one of two Hall of Fame equivalents in Japanese baseball.

Of those 199 victories, 121 have come in the majors.

“I’m not too concerned about the 199th win. I’m just glad our team was able to win the last three games,” Nomo said through an interpreter after the Devil Rays finished a sweep of the struggling A’s, who have dropped five in a row and 14 of 17.

There are two Hall of Fame equivalents in Nomo’s homeland -- the Japanese baseball Hall of Fame, which includes elected members, and the Meikyuakai, which is automatic for players with 2,000 hits or 200 victories. The Meikyuakai currently has 44 members, 15 pitchers.

Toronto 8, Boston 1 -- Eric Hinske homered as part of a six-run first inning and the Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep at Toronto.

The Red Sox, who have lost seven of 10, open a three-game set today in New York against the rival Yankees.

Baltimore 5, Seattle 2 -- Melvin Mora, Rafael Palmeiro and Miguel Tejada homered to back a strong pitching performance by Daniel Cabrera and the Orioles completed a three-game sweep at Baltimore.

Mora had three hits for the Orioles, whose eighth victory in 11 games moved them a season-high 14 games over .500 (30-16).

Baltimore has won eight in a row at Camden Yards against the Mariners, who have lost six in a row on the road.

New York 4, Detroit 3 -- Alex Rodriguez hit his major league-leading 17th home run to help the Yankees rally at New York.

The Yankees won their fourth in a row and 15th in 17 games, and moved half a game ahead of Boston for second place in the American League East.

Texas 8, Kansas City 1 -- Kenny Rogers didn’t have to be at his sharpest to win his sixth consecutive start for the Rangers, who hit three home runs at Arlington, Texas.

Rogers (6-2) gave up a run in the first and allowed six baserunners through the fourth, even with a three-up, three-down inning in that stretch. But the 40-year-old left-hander held the Royals to that single run over seven innings, lowering his AL-leading earned-run average to 1.69.

Minnesota 5, Cleveland 4 -- Shannon Stewart homered with two out in the 11th inning off David Riske to give the Twins a split of the four-game series at Cleveland.