AL ROUNDUP : Burkett Silences His Critics as Rangers Shut Out Indians

John Burkett heard boos early and then humbled the highest-scoring team in the majors for the second time in three weeks. He also got some clutch relief from Tim Crabtree as the Texas Rangers shut down the Cleveland Indians, 3-0, Wednesday at Arlington, Texas.

“When I was warming up and they announced the battery, I happened to hear the boos. It was a nice feeling to be able to change that around when I went into the dugout at the end,” said Burkett (7-7), who gave up seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.

He has won three in a row and four of five.

Cleveland failed to seal the American League Central crown by losing two in a row to Texas, but clinched later when second-place Chicago lost to the Angels, 6-5. The Rangers are 7-3 against the Indians this season with victories in five of the last six.

Oakland 6, Boston 2--Kevin Appier pitched six strong innings and the Athletics benefited from three errors leading to four unearned runs at Oakland.

Olmedo Saenz homered, John Jaha hit a two-run double and Matt Stairs had a go-ahead run-scoring single for Oakland, which closed within three games of Boston in the wild-card race with 22 remaining.

Seattle 4, Toronto 3--Tom Lampkin hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to lead the Mariners at Seattle.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 44th homer to give Seattle a 2-1 lead in the eighth, but Carlos Delgado’s second home run of the game, his 42nd of the season, put Toronto ahead, 3-2, in the ninth against Jose Mesa (2-5).

New York 9, Kansas City 5--Luis Sojo hit a three-run double and Darryl Strawberry scored three runs to lead the Yankees at Kansas City, Mo.

Orlando Hernandez (16-7) gave up five runs and 12 hits in seven innings. Mariano Rivera got the final five outs to become the first Yankee pitcher with two 40-save seasons.

Baltimore 10, Minnesota 0--Brady Anderson homered twice off LaTroy Hawkins (9-12), including his 36th leadoff shot of his career, and drove in four runs at Minneapolis.

Jason Johnson (6-7), Gabe Molina, and B.J. Ryan combined on a six-hitter.

Detroit 5, Tampa Bay 1--Dave Mlicki (12-10) won his seventh consecutive start, giving up one run and six hits in eight-plus innings.