The Los Angeles Angels snapped the Minnesota's four-game winning streak, beating the Twins 7-5 in a showdown between two of the American League's divisional leaders Saturday. Mark Teixeira went 3-for-3 with a home run for Los Angeles, which extended its lead in the AL West to 16 games, while Minnesota could not improve its half-game lead in the AL Central. Francisco Rodriguez closed out another strong performance by the Angels' bullpen, earning his 49th save and combining with two set-up men for 4-2/3 scoreless innings. Rays 5, White Sox 3: In Chicago, surging Tampa Bay increased its divisional lead with a win over Chicago. Carlos Pena's two-run single capped a four-run eighth inning for the Rays, who moved 5-1/2 games clear atop the AL East. Pena's bases-loaded single broke a 3-3 tie as Tampa Bay maintained its strong form despite injuries to key players. The Rays won despite conceding two homers and having their first 17 batters retired. The White Sox remained half a game behind AL Central leader Minnesota and the same margin behind Boston, which currently holds the wildcard. Blue Jays 11, Red Sox 0: In Toronto, the home side routed Boston, condemning Jon Lester to the shortest start of his career. Red Sox pitcher Lester had won nine of his past 10 decisions and gone at least seven innings in eight straight starts, but lasted just 2 1-3 innings this time, giving up a career worst seven runs. The loss kept Boston only half a game ahead of Chicago in the wildcard race and a drifting 5-1/2 games off AL East leader Tampa Bay. Vernon Wells hit two home runs and Marco Scutaro added a solo shot for the Blue Jays. Wells went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and scored four times. He hit a two-run shot off Lester in the first inning and a solo drive in the fifth for his team-leading 12th homer. In other games it was: Yankees 5, Orioles 3; Indians 8, Rangers 7; Tigers 4, Royals 0; Athletics 5, Mariners 1. Cubs thrash Nationals In Chicago, Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of three-run homers and Ryan Dempster matched a career high with his 15th win, leading the Chicago Cubs over the Washington Nationals 9-2 in the National League on Saturday. Mark DeRosa homered in his third straight game and Alfonso Soriano added a RBI double for the Cubs, who have the best record in the NL at 79-50. Dempster (15-5) allowed one run in 7 1-3 innings. Dempster, who also won 15 games for Florida in 2001, scattered eight hits, struck out four and walked one, sending the Nationals to their 13th loss in 15 games. Phillies 9, Dodgers 2: At Philadelphia, Pat Burrell homered and matched his career high with five RBIs, and Cole Hamels pitched effectively with some overdue run support to lead Philadelphia. Elsewhere it was: Giants 4, Padres 3; Astros 8, Mets 3; Brewers 6, Pirates 3; Braves 8, Cardinals 4; Diamondbacks 7, Marlins 1; Rockies 7, Reds 6.
