run homer to spark New York's four-run second inning as the surging Yankees beat the sloppy Seattle Mariners 5-2 in the American League on Saturday. New York has won 12 of 13 games to open a 7-1/2 game lead atop the AL East division and an apparently certain playoff berth after last year's shock absence. The Yankees' big second inning was aided by a miscommunication between Seattle outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Ichiro Suzuki, leaving the Mariners 6-1/2 games outside the wild card spot and with postseason hopes fading. Rangers 7, Red Sox 2: In Arlington, Texas, Julio Borbon had four hits and four of Texas' team record eight stolen bases as the hosts cut Boston's wild card lead to just half a game. The eight stolen bases matched the most in the majors this season. Boston also allowed eight against Tampa Bay in May. Derek Holland built on the form that saw him throw a shutout Sunday against the Angels. He allowed just two runs in 6 2-3 innings. Angels 5, Orioles 1: In Baltimore, pitcher John Lackey allowed only one run in seven innings, steering Los Angeles past Baltimore. The Angels scored all their runs in the third inning against Orioles rookie Brian Matusz, using three hits, three walks and an error. It proved to be enough support for Lackey, who is 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA over his past seven starts. He struck out six. Los Angeles clinched the season series between the teams and maintained a 4-1/2 game lead in the NL West.. Rays 8, Blue Jays 3: In St. Petersburg, Florida, Tampa Bay piled on four runs in the third inning to down Toronto and end a five-game skid. Other results: White Sox 8, Athletics 1;Tigers 10, Royals 3; Indians 7, Twins 3. Tight playoff race The Atlanta Braves got two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Saturday, tightening their playoff race in the National League. Garret Anderson led off the ninth with a single. Matt Diaz's sacrifice was fumbled by Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who then threw wildly toward first base, with the ball careering out to right field as Anderson rounded the bases for home and Diaz got to third. Two intentional walks loaded the bases, and Omar Infante singled to left field to drive in the winning run. The Braves moved within five games of NL-East leading Philadelphia, and three games off the wild card spot. Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 3, 10 innings: In Phoenix, Gerardo Parra's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the tenth gave Arizona victory over a stumbling Los Angeles. The Dodgers gave up back-to-back homers in the ninth inning to allow the Diamondbacks to draw level and force extra innings. Los Angeles pitcher Hiroki Kuroda was hit in the head by a line drive in the sixth inning. He was carted off on a stretcher and taken to hospital for tests. The win gave Arizona consecutive home series victories for the first time this season. Giants 5, Mets 4, 10 innings: In New York, a pitching duel turned ugly when New York slugger David Wright was hit in the head by a pitch before San Francisco won in extra innings. Other results: Cardinals 7, Padres 4; Brewers 6, Astros 2; Cubs 3, Pirates 1; Nationals 10, Reds 6.
