AL: Colon leaves no question

CHICAGO - Bartolo Colon knew he was going to make this start.

The Angels' ace was questionable for Saturday's game against the White Sox because of tightness in his lower back. After watching the Angels win in 12 innings Friday night, he didn't want to let his teammates down.

Colon won his eighth straight decision to become the American League's first 19-game winner and Garret Anderson backed him with a three-run homer, leading the Angels over Chicago 10-5 Saturday.

Colon allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, throwing 111 pitches.

"Today we were just beaten in every aspect of the game," Chicago's Paul Konerko said. "We were just pounded."

INDIANS 7, TWINS 5: Coco Crisp and Jhonny Peralta homered, and host Cleveland rallied to open a 11/2-game lead in the wild-card race.

The Twins trailed 7-2 before pinch-hitter Justin Morneau's three-run homer off David Riske with two outs in the ninth. Bob Wickman got his 39th save in 44 chances.

TIGERS 4, ROYALS 3: Carlos Pena led off the eighth inning with a tiebreaking home run, and host Detroit snapped its nine-game losing streak.

Pena had three hits, including a single that tied it at 3 in the fifth, and drove in two runs. Placido Polanco had four hits and an RBI.

A'S 5, RANGERS 4: Rookie Dan Johnson hit his first career grand slam, and Oakland got its sixth straight win at Texas.

Oakland remained one game behind the Angels in the West and trails Cleveland by 11/2 games in the wild-card race. The A's are 30-9 on the road since June 10.

Mark Teixeira hit his 38th homer, and Michael Young and David Dellucci added homers for the Rangers, who increased their major league-leading best total to 238.

ORIOLES 5, MARINERS 3: Melvin Mora drove in three runs, two on a first-inning home run, and visiting Baltimore held off Seattle.

Orioles starter Rodrigo Lopez went 71/3 innings, allowing seven hits and two runs. Richie Sexson hit a three-run homer in the eighth off Chris Ray, his 34th.

[Last modified September 11, 2005, 01:15:08]