Cruz Jr. belts tie-breaker to lift Devil Rays

Dewon Brazelton pitched seven strong innings, and Jose Cruz Jr. hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth to lift the Tampa Bay Devil Rays over the Oakland Athletics 2-1 home win on Sunday.

Brazelton (6-4) gave up one run and five hits to improve to 6-1 at home this season.

Cruz's solo shot broke a 1-1 tie and helped the Devil Rays snap a four-game losing streak and win for just the second time in 12 games. Jesus Colome pitched the final two innings for his third save.

Erubiel Durazo homered for Oakland, which has hit 15 home runs in five games. The Athletics went 5-1 on a six-game road trip. Mark Redman (9-10) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings.

ANGELS 4, YANKEES 3: At New York, Bengie Molina went 4-for-4 with a three-run homer, Kelvim Escobar outpitched Kevin Brown, and Anaheim completed a three-game sweep of slumping New York. Gary Sheffield homered and had two RBIs for the Yankees, who scored only four runs the entire series. New York lost for the sixth time in seven games and has been outscored 37-11 in the defeats. Molina tied his career high for hits in his second start since returning from a broken finger, leading the Angels to their fifth straight win and 13th in 17 games. They earned their first sweep of New York since May 11-13, 1999, also at Yankee Stadium, and finished 5-1 on a road trip. Anaheim has won 10 of its last 11 road games and is 18-6 in its last 24 away from home. Escobar (8-9) won for the third time in four starts. Troy Percival pitched a perfect ninth for his 24th save. Brown (9-3) lost for the first time in 10 starts at home this season.

MARINERS 5, TIGERS 3: At Detroit, Willie Bloomquist hit his first homer in more than 13 months — a go-ahead three-run shot in the fifth inning — to lead Seattle over Detroit. Gil Meche (4-5) allowed three runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings, helping Seattle avoid a three-game sweep. He has won three straight starts after winning just once in his first 12 starts. J.J. Putz pitched the ninth for his third save, retiring pinch-hitter Ivan Rodriguez on a hard liner to right field with runners on first and second and two outs.

Mike Maroth (10-8) lost for the first time since July 8, a span of seven starts. He allowed five runs and 10 hits in seven innings as Detroit's three-game winning streak ended.