Oakland Picks Up Another Win

Oakland is beginning to flex its might in the American League West.

Mark Redman pitched seven strong innings, giving up four hits and two runs, as the A’s defeated the Chicago White Sox, 4-2, on Thursday in Chicago.

Redman (10-10) retired the final 13 batters he faced as Oakland won for the 14th time in 16 games. The A’s lead the Angels by four games.

Redman, a left-hander, became the fourth Oakland pitcher to reach double digits in victories -- joining Tim Hudson, Barry Zito and Mark Mulder.

Jim Mecir got two outs in the eighth and Octavio Dotel finished for his 17th American League save in 22 chances as Oakland rebounded after its eight-game winning streak was snapped Wednesday night.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in the bullpen,” Manager Ken Macha said.

Billy McMillon hit a two-run homer off Jose Contreras (12-7) in the third after a leadoff walk to Bobby Crosby. The A’s added another run when Marco Scutaro scored from second on a wild pitch.

Minnesota 2, Texas 0 -- Brad Radke struck out a season-high nine in eight innings to give the Twins a three-game sweep of the Rangers at Minneapolis.

Radke (10-7) gave up five hits and walked one in Minnesota’s seventh shutout. Joe Nathan threw a perfect ninth for his 37th save and the Twins extended their lead in the AL Central to a season-high nine games.

New York 9, Cleveland 1 -- Gary Sheffield had three runs batted in to reach 100 for the seventh time, Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer and Jon Lieber (10-8) pitched seven shutout innings to lead the Yankees to their second consecutive victory over the visiting Indians.

Baltimore 13, Tampa Bay 2 -- Miguel Tejada drove in three runs and Erik Bedard pitched seven strong innings as the Orioles cruised to victory at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Tejada increased his AL-leading total to 121 RBIs. The Orioles have won four in a row after a 12-game losing streak.

Toronto 8, Seattle 6 -- Ichiro Suzuki got three more hits, but Orlando Hudson and Vernon Wells homered to lead the Blue Jays over the Mariners at Toronto.

Suzuki, chasing George Sisler’s major league record for hits in a season, has 217 hits. He has 29 games left to break Sisler’s mark of 257 hits set in 1920 with the St. Louis Browns.