American League roundup: Red Sox 'steal' win away from Texas

BOSTON — Darnell McDonald, called up from the minors earlier in the day, hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the eighth inning to tie the game and won it with an RBI single in the ninth to lift the struggling Boston Red Sox to a 7-6 comeback win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

The Red Sox snapped a five-game losing streak despite allowing the Rangers to steal a club record nine bases. Texas has dropped five straight.

Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus each had three of Texas' club record nine stolen bases as the Rangers opened a 6-1 lead after five innings.

Jonathan Papelbon (1-1) pitched a hitless ninth for the win.

The Rangers swiped all nine against knuckleballer Tim Wakefield and catcher Victor Martinez.

Kevin Youkilis opened the ninth with an infield hit off the body of Frank Francisco (2-3), advanced on a passed ball and was sacrificed to third by Bill Hall. Mike Lowell was intentionally walked and Adrian Beltre popped to first. Jason Varitek then walked on four pitches before McDonald lifted a fly ball just over the leap of Josh Hamilton.

TWINS 5, INDIANS 1: At Minneapolis, Kevin Slowey handcuffed Cleveland's struggling offense for eight innings and the Minnesota Twins scored four runs in a quirky third inning to beat the Indians 5-1 Tuesday night. Slowey (2-1) gave up one run on five hits with nine strikeouts and no walks and Justin Morneau had two hits and an RBI for the Twins.

WHITE SOX 4, RAYS 1: At Chicago, John Danks pitched eight strong innings and Paul Konerko hit a solo home run and drove in two runs and the Chicago White Sox ended the Tampa Bay Rays' seven-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory. Andruw Jones also homered and Bobby Jenks pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save for the White Sox, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

BLUE JAYS 4, ROYALS 3: At Toronto, Vernon Wells homered, John Buck drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 Tuesday night.

Wells went 3 for 4 with two doubles and scored twice, raising his average to .364. Shawn Camp (1-0) pitched 1 2-3 innings of relief for the victory as Toronto won its ninth consecutive home series against the Royals. Kansas City has lost four of five overall.

MARINERS 3, ORIOLES 1: At Seattle, Jason Vargas extended a stretch of strong starting pitching by the Mariners in Seattle's 3-1 victory over the struggling Baltimore Orioles.