Carl Crawford capped a huge month with two run-scoring hits, and the surging Devil Rays won for the seventh time in eight games. The left fielder became the 27th major-league player in the last 50 years to get 50 hits in a month. He batted .388 (50-for-129) in August.
Toronto closer Jeremy Accardo loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning when second baseman Aaron Hill and shortstop John McDonald turned an acrobatic double play to close a 7-5 win over the Mariners. Accardo: “Those are two Gold Glove candidates.”
Kyle Kendrick was hit hard only when he batted. The Phillies rookie shouted angrily after taking a pitch off his right arm while trying to bunt in the second, but he still pitched seven innings to win his third start in a row, 9-2 over Florida. He’s the first NL rookie to win eight games.
THREE DOWN
Twins pitcher Matt Garza fielded a bunt and tried to make a play at third. “Right where I wanted it,” he said. The ball sailed away, two runs scored and the Royals won 9-4. Garza fell to 0-9 in 10 career home starts. “Not worried. I’m eventually going to win here,” he said.
Mike Timlin’s 1,000th major-league appearance was one he’d probably like to forget. The Red Sox reliever allowed four runs on four hits and a walk, retiring only two batters in a 9-8 loss to the Orioles. The right-handed Timlin, 41, is the 13th pitcher to reach the milestone.
Manager Manny Acta shut the clubhouse doors and spoke to his Nationals players 2 1/2 hours before the first pitch, telling them not to shut down for the final month of the season. Nevertheless, the team lost its seventh straight, blowing a lead in each game of the skid.
