DETROIT, 2 June 2005 — Kenny Rogers allowed just three hits over seven innings and Kevin Mench homered as the streaking Texas Rangers won their ninth straight game, downing the Tigers 8-2 in American League play in Detroit on Tuesday.
Rogers (7-2) won his seventh consecutive start to help the Rangers extend the longest current winning streak in the majors.
He also won his sixth game in a month, a franchise record.
The veteran allowed one run while striking out six and walking one. Rogers’ ERA was lowered to 1.65, the best in the American League. Mark Teixeira had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run for Texas, which had 15 hits off five Detroit pitchers.
Chad Allen and Mench had two hits and two RBI for the Rangers, while Michael Young and Hank Blalock added two hits and one RBI apiece.
Mike Maroth (4-5) allowed six runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings and took the loss for the Tigers. Brandon Inge homered, had two hits and drove in two runs for the Tigers.
In other games, Wade Miller pitched seven solid innings as the Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 in Boston.
Miller (2-1) allowed one run on five hits, striking out three and walking three. David Ortiz had two hits and drove in two runs for the Red Sox.
Daniel Cabrera (4-4) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walking three and striking out three to take the loss. Sal Fasano had one hit and drove in one run for the Orioles.
In Minneapolis, Victor Martinez homered and drove in two runs as the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3.
C.C. Sabathia (4-3) pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out three.
Bob Wickman pitched one inning for his 14th save. Ben Broussard homered for the Indians. Carlos Silva (3-3) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits and walking one to take the loss. Juan Castro drove in three runs for the Twins.
In Chicago, Jermaine Dye homered as the White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-4.
Cliff Politte (2-0) pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out one for the win. Joe Crede homered for the White Sox. Brendan Donelley (2-1) pitched one inning, allowing one run on one hit. Garret Anderson homered for the Angels.
In Kansas City, Terrence Long drove in two runs as the Royals beat the New York Yankees 5-3 to give new manager Buddy Bell a winning start. Zack Greinke (1-6) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on three hits, walking three and striking out two. Mike MacDougal pitched one inning for his third save. Kevin Brown (4-5) pitched seven innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out seven to take the loss. Hideki Matsui homered for the Yankees.
In Oakland, Dan Haren pitched a five-hitter for his first career complete game as the Athletics pounded the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10-1. Haren (2-7) allowed one run on five hits, striking out five and walking none. Nick Swisher drove in four runs for Oakland. Hideo Nomo (3-5) allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings to take the loss.
In Seattle, Vernon Wells homered twice and drove in five runs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Mariners 9-7. Shea Hillendbrand also homered for Toronto.
Chad Gaudin (1-0) allowed two runs on seven hits over five innings for the win and Miguel Batista got the last three outs for his ninth save. Willie Bloomquist and Adrian Beltre both drove in two runs for Seattle. Ryan Franklin (2-7) allowed seven runs — five earned — on 10 hits over 2 2/3 innings.
