OAKLAND, Calif. - Rookies Bobby Crosby and Nick Swisher hit back-to-back homers in the eighth inning against Bob Howry, and the Athletics stopped their five-game losing streak with a 5-4 victory over the Indians.
Scott Hatteberg had a two-run double for the A's, who appeared headed to their longest losing skid of the season after C.C. Sabathia held them scoreless through six. Travis Hafner hit a three-run homer in the seventh, staking Cleveland to a 4-0 lead.
But Oakland followed a three-run rally in the seventh with consecutive homers by their two most prized youngsters. With one out in the eighth, Crosby homered to left off Howry (1-1). Five pitches later, Swisher connected with his second homer of the season, a drive to right.
With another bit of their customary September magic, the A's stayed on top of the West for at least one more day. Octavio Dotel pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 24 chances, with third baseman Eric Chavez making a leaping catch on Ben Broussard's liner to end it.
Rich Harden allowed seven hits and got seven strikeouts for the A's. The right-hander has lost just once in his last 14 starts.
YANKEES 5, ORIOLES 2: Orlando Hernandez allowed one run, five hits and two walks in seven innings, becoming the first New York starter to open the season 8-0 since Bob Wickman in 1993. The lone glaring flaw in his performance against host Baltimore was a home run by Rafael Palmeiro. Hernandez has given up more than three runs only once in his 12 starts, against Minnesota Aug. 19.
RED SOX 7, MARINERS 0: Former Hernando standout Bronson Arroyo pitched seven shutout innings, and Manny Ramirez and Mark Bellhorn homered, to lead visiting Boston. With pro-Boston fans in the Safeco Field crowd of 44,401 chanting "Let's Go Red Sox!" Arroyo won his fourth straight decision, allowing four hits, no walks and six strikeouts. He came out with a 7-0 lead after 85 pitches. WHITE SOX 13, ANGELS 6: Paul Konerko singled, doubled, scored twice and drove in three runs in an eight-run second inning for the visiting White Sox. Konerko's bases-loaded double scored three runs, and Jamie Burke singled home a pair of runs as the Sox sent 13 batters to the plate and pounded Aaron Sele for eight runs, four earned, in the second.
TWINS 3, TIGERS 2: Cristian Guzman and Shannon Stewart each homered for visiting Minnesota. Detroit lost its two All-Stars to right knee injuries. Shortstop Carlos Guillen sprained his knee while sliding awkwardly into third base in the fifth inning, and catcher Ivan Rodriguez left in the seventh with a bruised knee after being hit by foul tip. Guillen will have an MRI. X-rays of Rodriguez's knee were negative and he is day to day.
RANGERS 10, BLUE JAYS 7: David Dellucci hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth and Francisco Cordero earned his 43rd save for host Texas. Eric Hinske and Chris Gomez each hit pinch-hit homers for Toronto.
