Brown Wins in Yankee Return

Kevin Brown gave the Yankees a boost by pitching into the seventh inning in his first start in more than seven weeks, and Alex Rodriguez homered and drove in both runs in New York’s 2-1 home victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Brown (8-1), activated before the game after being out since June 10 because of a lower back spasm and an intestinal parasite, allowed one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two, throwing 88 pitches.

Tom Gordon struck out the side in the eighth, and Mariano Rivera got three outs for his major league-leading 36th save. Rivera, who blew his previous two chances, has 319 saves, moving him past Rick Aguilera for 10th on the career list, one behind Roberto Hernandez.

Texas 7, Oakland 5 -- Laynce Nix and Michael Young hit consecutive two-run singles with two out in the bottom of the eighth, helping the Rangers rally from an early four-run deficit at home and reclaim first place in the AL West.

Oakland starter Rich Harden left after six innings with a 4-2 lead. Justin Lehr began the Athletics’ problems by giving up a homer to Mark Teixeira in the eighth. After Lehr gave up a single to Gary Matthews Jr., Chad Bradford came in and retired the first batter, then loaded the bases by intentionally walking David Dellucci and hitting pinch-hitter Kevin Mench on the foot.

Nix fouled off several 0-2 pitches, then lined a hit into right field to put Texas ahead. Young followed with a single to left for a 7-4 lead.

Cleveland 7, Kansas City 6 -- Omar Vizquel, hitless in his first five at-bats, led off the 11th inning with a triple and scored on Matt Lawton’s sacrifice fly for the Indians, who blew a 5-0 lead in the fourth at Kansas City. Rafael Betancourt pitched perfect 10th and 11th innings for the win.

Detroit 5, Chicago 4 -- Bobby Higginson drew a tiebreaking, bases-loaded walk with two out in the eighth for the Tigers, who gave the White Sox their sixth straight loss, in Detroit.

Damaso Marte loaded the bases in the eighth. Alex Sanchez led off with an infield single, Carlos Guillen singled with one out and Rondell White walked with two out to load the bases. Marte then walked Higginson on a 3-2 pitch.

Boston 8, Minnesota 2 -- Bronson Arroyo, looking nothing like the pitcher who lost six straight between May and June, threw seven-plus innings for the Red Sox in Minneapolis. Gabe Kapler drove in three runs and the Red Sox ended the Twins’ four-game winning streak.

Toronto 3, Tampa Bay 0 -- Josh Towers won his fourth straight start with seven innings of two-hit ball, and Josh Phelps homered twice for the Blue Jays in St. Petersburg, Fla.