The Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jose Cruz Jr. had a two-run double and Rocco Baldelli drove in two runs with a single during a six-run third inning against Derek Lowe, leading the Tampa Bay Devil Rays over the Boston Red Sox 9-6 Thursday night.

Tampa Bay nearly blew a seven-run lead in ending a five-game losing streak. It was just the second win in the past 14 games for the Devil Rays.

Victor Zambrano took the seven-run advantage into the fifth but was pulled with two outs and the Devil Rays up 7-4. Johnny Damon then made it 7-6 when he greeted reliever John Halama with a two-run double.

Zambrano walked nine batter to set a Devil Rays record. He allowed six runs, four hits, hit a batter and struck out eight in 4 2-3 innings. He threw 132 pitches.

Jorge Sosa (1-0) went two scoreless innings for the win. Danys Baez pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Lowe (3-4) lasted a season-low 2 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs and eight hits. He gave up hits to his final seven batters, all coming in Tampa Bay's six-run third. He went 2 2/3 innings in an April 18 loss to the New York Yankees.

Lowe is winless in his last four starts, including three losses. He has allowed 37 runs - 27 earned - and 57 hits over 40 1-3 innings this season.

Jason Varitek hit a solo homer in Boston's three-run fifth as the Red Sox narrowed the deficit to 7-6.

White Sox 10, Twins 3

MINNEAPOLIS - Frank Thomas had a season-high four hits, including a three-run homer, and Esteban Loaiza snapped a three-start losing streak to lead Chicago.

Thomas finished a triple shy of the cycle. He homered in a six-run second inning for the White Sox, who opened the four-game series with their third straight win.

Paul Konerko added two solo shots - one off reliever Terry Mulholland in the seventh and another off Grant Balfour in the ninth.

Athletics 3, Tigers 2

OAKLAND, Calif. - Erubiel Durazo scored on Eric Munson's throwing error in the eighth inning after reaching base on another miscue, providing the winning difference for Oakland.

Durazo reached on a fielding error by first baseman Carlos Pena, went to second on Damian Miller's sacrifice, advanced to third on Mark McLemore's groundout and scored when Munson dived to stop pinch hitter Billy McMillon's sharp grounder but threw the ball wide of first.

Tim Hudson (5-1) allowed two runs and eight hits over eight innings to improve to 13-1 during day games over his last 19 such starts. Arthur Rhodes pitched the ninth for his eighth save in 10 opportunities.