TORONTO, 11 July 2003 — David Ortiz doubled home the winning run in the top of the ninth inning as the Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-7 on Wednesday.

Boston trailed 7-3 entering the eighth inning, scored four runs in the eighth and a single in the ninth to beat the Blue Jays by a run for the second straight game.

Manny Ramirez led off the ninth inning by hitting a long fly ball off the glove of center fielder Vernon Wells, who nearly collided with left fielder Shannon Stewart.

The ball rolled to the fence for a triple and Ramirez scored the go-ahead run on Ortiz’s double.

Ramirez also homered in the eighth inning for the Red Sox, while Jason Varitek drove in three runs with two hits.

Brandon Lyon (4-5) tossed a scoreless inning for the win, while Byung-Hyun Kim got the last three outs for the save.

Jeff Tam (0-4) allowed one run on two hits in 2/3 innings to take the loss.

Athletics 6 Devil Rays 3

In Oakland, Adam Piatt had two hits and drove in three runs to lead the A’s to a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Ricardo Rincon (5-3) pitched a scoreless inning of relief and Keith Foulke converted his 23rd save with a perfect ninth inning.

Toby Hall homered to give Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning before Jesus Colome (2-5) gave up three runs and three hits 2/3 of an inning of relief.

Yankees 6 Indians 2

In Cleveland, Derek Jeter had four hits and two RBI to help the New York Yankees to a 6-2 win over the Indians.

David Wells (11-3) allowed two runs and nine hits in 7 2/3 innings for the win. C.C. Sabathia (8-4) gave up four runs and five hits in seven innings. He struck out six batters and walked six.

Tigers 4 White Sox 2

In Detroit, Jeremy Bonderman (3-13) snapped a seven-game losing streak that lasted for more than two months to give the Tigers a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. He held the White Sox to two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings before Chris Mears pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save.

Rangers 4 Twins 1

In Texas, Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to lead the Rangers to a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. Joaquin Benoit (4-4) held the Twins to one run and four hits while striking out five batters in seven innings before Ugueth Urbina converted his 26th save.

Orioles 7 Mariners 2

In Seattle, Tony Batista had three hits, including a homer, and drove in two runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Mariners 7-2. Jay Gibbons had two hits and drove in two runs for the Orioles.

Angels 5 Royals 3

In Anaheim, Shawn Wooten hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to lead the Angels past the Kansas City Royals 5-3.

Francisco Rodriguez (5-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the win before Troy Percival tossed a scoreless ninth for his 20th save. Jeremy Affeldt (5-5) allowed five runs on nine hits over six innings. Ken Harvey had two hits and drove in a run for the Royals.

Glavine Continues to

Struggle Against Old Team

In New York, the Atlanta Braves beat former teammate Tom Glavine for the third time this season with a 6-3 victory over the New York Mets on Wednesday.

The Braves (58-31) tied a season-high with their sixth straight win while opening up the biggest division lead in the major leagues. The Braves lead the NL East by 8 1/2 games. Russ Ortiz (12-4) allowed three runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and one walk for the win while John Smoltz pitched a scoreless ninth for his 34th save. Julio Franco hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning for the Braves and had two hits, as did Gary Sheffield, who also drove in a run.

Franco has four hits in five at-bats against Glavine and both of his homers this season have come against Glavine, who has a 9.19 ERA in 15 2/3 innings against the Braves this season. Glavine (6-9) lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and walked five batters without getting a strikeout.

Cubs 5 Marlins 1

In Chicago, Kerry Wood gave up three hits in a complete-game effort to lead the Cubs to a 5-1 win over the Florida Marlins. Wood (9-6) struck out 12 batters and walked three while holding the Marlins to one run in his second complete game of the season. Sammy Sosa and Jose Hernandez hit two-run homers to break the game open in the eighth inning.

Phillies 2 Expos 0

In Montreal, Kevin Millwood tossed a three-hit shutout to back the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-0 win over the Expos. Millwood (10-6) struck out six batters and walked four for his second shutout and third complete game of the season.

Dodgers 6 Cardinals 5

In St. Louis, David Ross had two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs to help the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-5 win over the Cardinals. Kazuhisa Ishii (8-3) gave up four runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings while Eric Gagne retired the final four batters for his 31st save.

Astros 12 Reds 2

In Houston, Adam Everett crushed a grand-slam homer in the first inning to kick-start the Astros en route to a 12-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Gregg Zaun, Lance Berkman and Richard Hidalgo also homered for the Astros.

Brewers 2 Pirates 1 (12 innings)

In Milwaukee, Wes Helms’s RBI single in the 12th inning lifted the Brewers to a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Richie Sexson had a hit, an RBI and scored the winning run after walking in the 12th inning.

Rockies 11 Giants 7

In Denver, Preston Wilson drove in four runs to pace the Rockies to an 11-7 win over the San Francisco Giants. Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer and Larry Walker had two hits and drove in two runs in the win.