Olerud’s Power Leads Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox keep bashing the ball around Fenway Park, and now they’re getting some pitching too.

John Olerud homered twice to back a solid performance by Bronson Arroyo on Thursday night, and the Red Sox defeated Tampa Bay, 7-4, to complete a four-game sweep. It was the third consecutive game in which Boston has rallied to beat the Devil Rays.

“I love the way it ends,” Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said. “I’d like the formula to change a little bit.”

It was the 17th multihomer game for Olerud, who added a run-scoring double in the eighth to give him six runs batted in. The two-time All-Star and former AL batting champion has been competing for playing time with Kevin Millar, who homered twice Wednesday.

“When you get some hits and you contribute to a team’s win, it definitely makes you feel like you’re part of the club,” said Olerud, who signed with the Red Sox in May but has hit .467 since coming off the disabled list Aug. 17. “I felt like I was going to fit in.”

The Red Sox have won five in a row overall and 19 of 20 at home. They’ve also scored at least seven runs in each of their last 14 games at Fenway Park.

Seattle 5, New York 1 -- Yankee starter Jaret Wright was knocked out of the game by Raul Ibanez’s sixth-inning line drive, and Miguel Ojeda’s first home run with Seattle sent the Mariners to the victory at Seattle. Wright left after being hit on the right collarbone, and the right side of his neck. X-rays were negative.

Chicago 12, Detroit 3 -- Jose Contreras won his third start in a row, and A.J. Pierzynski went three for three with a homer and three RBIs at Chicago.

Jermaine Dye and Carl Everett also homered for the White Sox, who broke the game open with six runs in the eighth inning.

Contreras was perfect until the fifth, when former White Sox All-Star Magglio Ordonez led off with a single.

Contreras gave up only one hit until the seventh, when the Tigers got three consecutive hits, including a two-run homer by Brandon Inge.

Baltimore 5, Toronto 3 -- Jay Gibbons and B.J. Surhoff homered in the sixth inning to lead the Orioles at Toronto.

Texas 5, Kansas City 4 -- Kenny Rogers won for the first time since July 16, and Rod Barajas homered twice and drove in four runs at Kansas City, Mo.