Devil Rays' skid spans 15 games after loss to O's

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays' losing streak stretched to 15, the longest in the major leagues since 1988, as Melvin Mora drove in two runs Friday night to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 6-5 victory.

The Devil Rays became the 30th team since 1900 to lose 15 in a row. Their skid is the longest since the Orioles began the 1988 season by losing an AL-record 21 consecutive games. The major league record of 23 was set by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies.

At 9-25, Tampa Bay is off to the slowest start by an AL team since the Oakland Athletics had the same record after 34 games in 1994. The Florida Marlins also started 9-25 in 1999.

Rookie Rodrigo Lopez (5-0) allowed three runs and four hits in six innings, leaving with a 6-3 lead. Randy Winn's two-run single off Willis Roberts trimmed Baltimore's lead to one run in the seventh.

The Devil Rays loaded the bases in the eighth on three walks, but wasted an opportunity to score the tying or go-ahead runs when Chris Gomez grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Rangers 2, Tigers 0

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Kenny Rogers (4-1) allowed seven hits in eight innings, and Michael Young broke up a scoreless game with an RBI double in the eighth.

Hideki Irabu got three outs for his ninth save in 10 chances, finishing Texas' third shutout of the season.

Jeff Weaver (2-5) allowed two runs and five hits in 7 1-3 innings for Detroit, 4-16 on the road and 7-7 at home.

Yankees 5, Twins 3

MINNEAPOLIS -- Derek Jeter sparked a four-run fifth inning with a two-run homer, and David Wells (5-1) struck out a season-high six as the Yankees overcame a 3-1 deficit to win their fourth straight.

Wells allowed three runs -- two earned -- and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings, improving to 16-6 with a 2.44 ERA against the Twins. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 13 chances.

New York's first three batters -- Alfonso Soriano, Jeter and Bernie Williams -- had seven hits in eight at-bats against Minnesota starter Eric Milton (4-3).

Royals 9, Indians 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A.J. Hinch hit a three-run homer off C.C. Sabathia (3-4) to put Kansas City ahead in the fifth and Dan Reichert (1-3) won for the first time since July 16, ending a streak of 16 appearances without a victory.

Joe Randa had four RBIs for the Royals, who have won back-to-back games for the first time since April 10-11, matching their longest winning streak this season.

-- From wire reports