A’s Barely Hang On, Keep Pace With Yankees

Mark Mulder couldn’t even watch the end of his 19th victory.

After Mulder pitched seven shutout innings Friday night at Arlington, Texas, Billy Koch gave up two runs in the ninth and left the bases loaded in Oakland’s 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers one day after the Athletics clinched the American League West title.

“I was pacing in the clubhouse, then I just quit watching,” Mulder said.

Koch earned his 44th save in 50 opportunities and the Athletics improved to 89-0 when leading after eighth innings.

With their 101st win, the Athletics remained a half-game behind New York for a chance at home-field advantage through the AL playoffs. The Yankees have the edge in the tiebreaker.

A’s shortstop Miguel Tejada was out of the starting lineup for the first time this season but pinch-hit in the ninth to play in his 430th straight game, the longest active streak in the majors.

New York 6, Baltimore 2--Bernie Williams got his 100th run batted in, Derek Jeter homered and Andy Pettitte won his fifth straight start as the Yankees won at Baltimore. Jason Giambi had three hits and his 119th RBI for the Yankees. It was the 10th consecutive loss for the Orioles, who are 4-30 since Aug. 23.

Minnesota 3, Chicago 1--Corey Koskie’s two-run homer in the eighth lifted the Twins at Minneapolis. Joe Mays, in his final tuneup for the playoffs, pitched six strong innings and retired 15 of his final 16 batters for Minnesota. Mays will start Game 2 of the AL division series in Oakland.

Cleveland 8, Kansas City 3--Jim Thome hit his 51st homer, breaking Albert Belle’s single-season club record, and C.C. Sabathia (13-11) pitched seven solid innings for the Indians at Cleveland. Kansas City’s Mike Sweeney went one for four and is batting .343 with two games left in his race with Boston’s Manny Ramirez for the AL batting title. Ramirez is hitting .347 after going one for two against Tampa Bay.

Boston 6, Tampa Bay 1--John Burkett pitched eight strong innings and Brian Daubach and Nomar Garciaparra drove in two runs each for the Red Sox at Boston.

Toronto 5, Detroit 2--Rookie Pete Walker pitched seven strong innings at Toronto for his 10th win. The Blue Jays have won five straight and are 56-51 since Manager Carlos Tosca replaced Buck Martinez on June 3.