Twins take the catwalk to victory

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Jason Kubel's two-out popup hit a catwalk high above Tropicana Field and fell near the pitcher's mound for a go-ahead single in the ninth inning, a true dome run that sent the Minnesota Twins past the Tampa Bay Rays 8-6 on Thursday at St. Petersburg, Fla.

After the Rays scored six times in the eighth, capped by pinch-hitter Jason Barlett's grand slam that made it 6-all, the Twins rallied in most unusual fashion.

Minnesota put runners at the corners and Kubel lofted his pop. Tampa Bay second baseman Reid Brignac got in position to catch the ball on the back of the infield dirt, but it struck the highest metal catwalk - about 190 feet over the field - and changed direction.

No Rays fielder could recover in time to catch the ball before it landed 15 feet behind the mound.

By rule, the ball was in play and there were no arguments or discussions.

White Sox 6, Tigers 4, 11 inn.: Mark Kotsay hit a two-run homer in the ninth, then lined a two-run triple in the 11th that lifted Chicago at Detroit.

Orioles 5, Angels 4: Cesar Izturis singled in the winning run in the ninth and Baltimore beat visiting Los Angeles.

Red Sox 6, Indians 2: Adrian Beltre hit a grand slam to lead Boston past visiting Cleveland.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pirates 5, Rockies 1: James McDonald pitched six shutout innings and host Pittsburgh beat Colorado.

Padres 5, Dodgers 0: Kevin Correia and four relievers combined on San Diego's win at Los Angeles.

Phillies 5, Marlins 4, 10 inn.: At Miami, Carlos Ruiz homered leading off the 10th and Philadelphia completed a three-game sweep of Florida.

Braves 3, Giants 2: Eric Hinske snapped an 0-for-17 hitless streak with a tiebreaking, sixth-inning home run to help Atlanta beat visiting San Francisco.

Diamondbacks 8, Nationals 4: At Phoenix, Barry Enright pitched six solid innings and Arizona beat Washington.