Red Sox rally for six in ninth to win, 6-5

Jason Varitek and Eric Hinske scampered home when closer Chris Ray dropped the toss at first base on what could have been a game-ending groundout, and the Boston Red Sox rallied for six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Baltimore Orioles, 6-5, on Sunday.

Jeremy Guthrie carried a three-hit shutout into the ninth and came within two outs of his first career complete game. But he was lifted after catcher Ramon Hernandez dropped Coco Crisp’s popup near the third base line for an error, and the Red Sox took advantage.

Boston got four hits, three walks and a hit batter against Danys Baez and Ray (3-3), who had his third blown save of the season.

J.C. Romero (1-0) struck out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

The rally saved Josh Beckett from his first loss of the year. But he left after four innings with a torn flap of skin on his right middle finger, failing to become the first eight-game winner in the major leagues and tie the franchise record -- held by Babe Ruth and two others -- for wins to start a season.

“At one point, it seems like we had no chance,” said Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who doubled in Boston’s first run. “In the ninth, 5-0, fly ball, catcher misses it, and that was the difference in the game. Everybody started going crazy.”

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Minnesota designated right-hander Sidney Ponson for assignment and recalled first baseman Garrett Jones from triple-A Rochester.... Seattle acquired right-hander Jason Davis from Cleveland for a player to be named.... Baltimore activated reliever Scott Williamson from the 15-day disabled list.... Kansas City put pitcher Luke Hudson on the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-hander Brian Bannister.

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RESULTS

* at Oakland 10, Cleveland 7: Jack Cust’s fifth homer in four games capped a five-run ninth inning that helped the Athletics rally for the victory. The A’s have won seven straight home series against the Indians and have taken 15 of 21 games from them at Oakland over the last five seasons.

* at Seattle 2, New York 1: Horacio Ramirez pitched effectively into the seventh inning and four Mariners relievers stymied the Yankees.

* Kansas City 11, at Chicago 1: David DeJesus tied a career high with four hits and Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven sharp innings for the Royals. De La Rosa (4-3) retired the first 10 batters he faced and overtook Gil Meche for the team lead in wins.

* Tampa Bay 2, at Toronto 1: Blue Jays emergency starter Shaun Marcum pitched six hitless innings before coming out of the game, and Carlos Pena got the Devil Rays’ first hit with a tiebreaking home run against Jason Frasor in the seventh inning as Tampa Bay ended a six-game losing streak.

* at Minnesota 16, Detroit 4: Torii Hunter homered twice and drove in a career-high seven runs, and the Twins ended a four-game losing streak. Ruining Tigers emergency starter Virgil Vasquez’s major league debut and racking up season highs in runs, hits (22) and homers (four), Minnesota salvaged the last game of a rough 3-6 homestand.

* at Boston 6, Baltimore 5: Jeremy Guthrie took a three-hit shutout into the ninth inning before the Red Sox rallied to win.

* at Texas 7, Angels 6: Nelson Cruz hit a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning for the win.

From the Associated Press