Giambi Pushes Athletics a Little Closer

Jason Giambi is a big-moment kind of guy.

In a game that had a postseason feel, the Oakland slugger offered a glimpse of the damage of which he’s capable.

Giambi hit a go-ahead, three-run homer as the Athletics won their sixth consecutive game, defeating the Chicago White Sox, 5-3, Friday night at Chicago in a matchup of potential playoff opponents.

“It’s been storybook like this all year,” Giambi said. “We’re keeping on Seattle’s heels.”

The victory brought the A’s within a game of the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners, who lost, 13-6, at New York.

“Did they lose?” asked grinning Oakland Manager Art Howe. “That’s a bonus. We’re concentrating on our games.”

Oakland also maintained a 3 1/2-game lead lead over Boston in the AL wild-card race.

Kevin Appier (10-8) gave up two runs, six hits and four walks in 6 1/3 innings for the victory, his second in a row after a five-game losing streak.

“Hopefully we can win our division and not the wild card,” Appier said. “When the season’s over, I just hope we’re in the playoffs.”

Minnesota 3, Detroit 1--Eric Milton (11-6) pitched seven solid innings and pinch-hitter Matt Lawton hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning at Detroit.

Lawton, who hadn’t played since Monday because of a sprained right toe, pinch-hit for Chad Moeller with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth. He lined a 3-1 pitch from Nelson Cruz to left, giving the Twins a 3-1 lead.

Toronto 10, Texas 8--Darrin Fletcher hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to lead the Blue Jays at Toronto.

With the score 8-8, Tony Batista singled off Mike Venafro (1-1) with two outs in the eighth, Jose Cruz Jr. was hit by a pitch and Fletcher doubled down the left-field line, giving him three runs batted in.

Paul Quantrill (2-5) got the final out of the eighth, and Billy Koch pitched a perfect ninth for his 26th save in 30 chances.

Boston 5, Kansas City 4--Brian Daubach hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning as the Red Sox overcame a four-run deficit to win at Boston.

Daubach, in a four-for-33 slide, hit his 16th homer, a drive off Andy Larkin (0-1) that sent the Royals to their seventh loss in eight games.

Nomar Garciaparra went two for four, raising his average to .394.

Baltimore 10, Tampa Bay 9--Delino DeShields knocked in the go-ahead run with a 15th-inning single as the Orioles won at St. Petersburg, Fla., despite blowing a seven-run lead.

Brady Anderson drew a two-out walk off Esteban Yan (5-8), the seventh Tampa Bay pitcher. Anderson went to third on Melvin Mora’s single. DeShields followed with his hit to right.