Twins Win, 9-5, With a Triple Play

The Minnesota Twins turned the major leagues’ second triple play in 13 days in the eighth inning, and Michael Cuddyer and light-hitting shortstop Juan Castro homered during a 9-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Minneapolis on Saturday night.

Cuddyer’s two-run shot in the third against Jamie Moyer (2-5) helped erase a 4-1 deficit and give rookie Boof Bonser his first win.

With Seattle trailing, 8-4, to start the eighth inning, Richie Sexson doubled, Carl Everett walked and Adrian Beltre singled to load the bases with none out against Jesse Crain.

Juan Rincon entered the game to face Kenji Johjima, who hit a grounder to second base on the first pitch. Luis Castillo scooped up the ball and chased down Beltre to tag him out, then threw to first to get Johjima.

First baseman Justin Morneau noticed Everett leaning the wrong way off third and fired a strike to Tony Batista at the bag. Batista tagged out Everett to complete the triple play and close the inning with the Twins leading, 8-5. Sexson scored from third on the play.

The Metrodome has been home to both triple plays this season. The Chicago White Sox turned one in a 9-7 victory over the Twins on May 14.

Detroit 3, Cleveland 1 -- Justin Verlander pitched seven impressive innings and Magglio Ordonez hit a two-run homer to help the Tigers defeat the Indians at Detroit for their eighth consecutive victory.

It was the Tigers’ 15th victory in their last 16 games. Detroit has the major leagues’ best record at 35-14. That win total is only eight fewer than Detroit had during the entire 2003 season, when it lost 119 games.

Verlander (7-3) won his fourth consecutive decision as he gave up a run and seven hits in seven innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out five.

Oakland 6, Texas 3 -- Barry Zito pitched 7 1/3 strong innings to help the Athletics break a season-high seven-game losing streak at Arlington, Texas.

Zito (4-3) gave up three runs and four hits. He struck out seven and walked five while improving to 10-1 in Arlington. Zito is 16-3 overall against the Rangers.

Toronto 3, Chicago 2 -- Shea Hillenbrand homered in the 11th inning to give the Blue Jays a win over the White Sox at Toronto.

With one out, Hillenbrand homered to left against Jeff Nelson (0-1). It was his seventh homer of the season.

New York 15, Kansas City 4 -- Alex Rodriguez homered twice, Kelly Stinnett drove in four runs and the Yankees beat the Royals at New York.

Miguel Cairo and Melky Cabrera had three runs batted in for the Yankees, who jumped out to an 8-0 lead after three innings. Cairo tied a career high with four hits.

Rodriguez, who has 13 homers this season, moved into a tie with Dave Kingman for 33rd place on baseball’s all-time list with 442 homers.