Rangers Defeat A’s and Mulder, 8-3

Kevin Mench hit a three-run homer during Texas’ sixth-inning rally, and the Rangers ended Mark Mulder’s 11-game winning streak with an 8-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night in Oakland.

Kenny Rogers joined Mulder as the majors’ only 13-game winners with his 18th consecutive victory at Network Associates Coliseum. Rogers (13-3) gave up six hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings.

The Rangers increased their West Division lead over the Athletics to 4 1/2 games in the opener of a three-game series.

Texas roughed up Mulder (13-3) for 10 hits and seven runs over six innings in his first loss in 15 starts since April 28. He had won his last five starts but fell two short of Catfish Hunter’s franchise record for consecutive victories.

Minnesota 7, Baltimore 3 -- Corey Koskie homered and had a season-high four RBIs at Baltimore to lead the Twins to their fifth win in a row. They have a half-game lead over the White Sox in the Central Division.

Carlos Silva (9-7) yielded three runs and nine hits in six-plus innings to earn his first win in a month. He was 0-3 with a 5.93 earned-run average in four starts since June 23.

Chicago 6, Detroit 4 -- After learning that Magglio Ordonez could be sidelined the rest of the season because of an injured knee, Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs to lead the White Sox at Chicago. Esteban Loaiza (9-5) gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings to win for the first time in four starts.

Cleveland 3, Kansas City 2 -- Ben Broussard homered on a 3-0 pitch with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning. The Indians have played the most extra-inning games in the majors, and Broussard’s shot gave them an 8-11 record in those games.

Toronto 7, Tampa Bay 4 -- The Blue Jays scored six unearned runs in the third inning at Toronto. The Devil Rays have lost 13 of 18 since moving a season-high two games over .500 on July 3.