Alex Rodriguez helped the New York Yankees end their five-game losing streak with his bat -- and his mouth.
Rodriguez distracted Toronto third baseman Howie Clark on a key popup late in the game, touching off arguments all over the field, and the Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 10-5, last night in Toronto.
Rodriguez hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth that made it 7-5. Jorge Posada followed with a high infield pop and Rodriguez ran hard, cutting between Clark and shortstop John McDonald.
Replays showed Rodriguez shouting something, and Clark backed off at the last second. McDonald was only a few steps behind Clark, but couldn't make the catch and the ball dropped for an RBI single.
"I just said, 'Hah!' That's it," Rodriguez said. "Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't."
McDonald started jawing with Rodriguez, and third base umpire Chad Fairchild got between them. Toronto manager John Gibbons came out to argue and exchanged words with Rodriguez and third base coach Larry Bowa before leaving the field as plate umpire Eric Cooper intervened. Rodriguez stayed on the bag with a smirk.
When Jason Giambi stepped up to hit, he seemed to get into it with catcher Jason Phillips and Cooper settled them down.
Giambi followed with a two-run single. When the game ended, many of the Blue Jays stayed on the bench, staring at Rodriguez and the Yankees.
"They have their opinions," Rodriguez said, adding he pulled the trick to help the Yankees "win a game. We're desperate."
Rodriguez said three or four times each week, opponents shout at him while he pursues foul pops near their dugout.
"It's not like he said, 'I got it,' " Yankees manager Joe Torre said.
Johnny Damon led off with a home run for the Yankees, who avoided falling nine games under .500 for the first time since they were 20-29 after play June 20, 1995, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
New York took a quick lead against rookie Jesse Litsch (1-2), scoring five times in the first inning.
Yankees rookie Tyler Clippard (2-1) gave up three runs and four hits over five innings.
Angels 8, Mariners 6 -- Vladimir Guerrero hit a go-ahead, three-run homer and Francisco Rodriguez notched his 18th save in 19 chances for host Los Angeles.
Devil Rays 5, Tigers 3 -- James Shields (4-0) settled down after a shaky first inning to throw the second complete game of his career, and Elijah Dukes and Brendan Harris backed the righthander with solo homers for host Tampa Bay.
Orioles 3, Royals 0 -- Erik Bedard won a matchup of staff aces with Gil Meche and Nick Markakis hit a two-run homer, leading Baltimore past host Kansas City for the Orioles' fifth-straight win.
Athletics 6, Rangers 1 -- Dan Haren (6-2) won his sixth straight decision and Dan Johnson drove in three runs for host Oakland.
