Rogers Stays Sharp for the Rangers

Texas Ranger left-hander Kenny Rogers won a career-best eighth consecutive start, beating the host Kansas City Royals, 8-1, Sunday in a game in which Francisco Cordero nearly sparked a brawl after getting the last out.

Rogers, 40, gave up five hits and a run in seven innings, and lowered his American League-leading earned-run average to 1.62. The Rangers led, 7-0, after five innings.

“Get him some run support early and I like our chances,” Texas Manager Buck Showalter said. “Kenny doesn’t pitch poorly with a lead.”

Cordero took several steps toward the Kansas City dugout and grabbed his crotch. The dugouts emptied, but the umpires stepped in between the teams and the players left the field after a few tense moments. The pitcher was upset that Manager Buddy Bell asked the umpires to issue a warning after Cordero hit Shane Costa with a pitch 3-and-0 with one out in the ninth inning.

Cordero, who later apologized for making the gesture, said he didn’t hit Costa on purpose.

“Why did he get upset?” Cordero said of Bell. “They hit [Alfonso] Soriano earlier and nobody said nothing about it.”

Cleveland 6, Chicago 4 -- The Indians scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning on two walks and reliever Dustin Hermanson’s throwing error to end a four-game skid.

Travis Hafner homered in the 10th inning, and Coco Crisp had a two-run homer for the Indians. Frank Thomas hit his first homer this season for the White Sox in the 10th inning to tie the score, 4-4.

Minnesota 9, New York 3 -- Carlos Silva (4-3) gave up seven hits and two runs in seven innings, and the Twins knocked out Kevin Brown (4-6) during a five-run sixth inning at Minneapolis.

The Yankees, who lost for the seventh time in eight games, dropped to 0-20 this season when scoring three runs or fewer.

Baltimore 6, Detroit 2 -- Daniel Cabrera (5-4) gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings at Detroit to win for the fourth time in six starts, Melvin Mora drove in two runs and the Orioles took advantage of three errors. Mike Maroth (4-6) lost his fourth consecutive start. Dmitri Young hit his 10th homer for the Tigers.

Seattle 6, Tampa Bay 5 -- Richie Sexson’s double drove in Adrian Beltre in the ninth inning to drop the Devil Rays to 4-23 on the road.

Beltre singled against Chad Orvella (0-1) with one out for his 1,000th hit, then Sexson hit the next pitch off the base of the left-field wall.

Oakland 12, Toronto 4 -- Scott Hatteberg hit a three-run homer, Eric Chavez hit a two-run drive and Marco Scutaro also connected at Oakland.

Dan Haren (3-7) ended a seven-start winless stretch, and the A’s won for the sixth time in seven home games.