10-RBI day for Zobrist as Rays sweep Twins

Jeff Niemann carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer to give him 10 RBI for the day as Tampa Bay swept a day-night doubleheader with a 6-1 victory over the Twins on Thursday in Minneapolis.

Niemann (1-3) gave up one run and two hits in seven innings and John Jaso also went deep for the Rays, who pounded the Twins 15-3 in the first game.

Zobrist went 7-for-10 with two homers and three doubles in the doubleheader. He set a club record with eight RBI in the opener, hitting a home run and two doubles.

The Rays swept the rain-delayed three-game series, outscoring Minnesota 29-6. They have won five straight and 12 of 15 after a 1-8 start.

Patterson's bunt lifts Jays

Corey Patterson bunted home the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning, and visiting Toronto beat AL West-leading Texas to win a series for the first time in three weeks.

Frank Francisco (1-0), who played his first six major-league seasons in Texas before being traded in January, got the final four outs.

The Rangers finished 5-5 on their homestand and have lost nine of 15 after opening 9-1.

In other games . . .

Fausto Carmona (2-3), backed by solo home runs by Shin-Soo Choo, Carlos Santana, Grady Sizemore and Shelley Duncan, pitched seven solid innings and the Cleveland Indians earned their 10th straight home win by beating Kansas City 8-2 to extend the Royals' losing streak to six.

† Ryan Vogelsong, 33, won while making his first start in almost seven years, pitching effectively into the sixth inning against his former team in the San Francisco Giants' 5-2 victory over the Pirates in Pittsburgh. He tied a career high with eight strikeouts.

† Jon Lester (3-1) improved to 14-0 all-time against Baltimore with eight dominating innings, Dustin Pedroia hit a tiebreaking infield single and the Boston Red Sox averted a three-game sweep with a 6-2 victory over the host Orioles.

Braves coach in hot water

Major League Baseball officials said they would await information from the Atlanta Braves before considering disciplinary action against pitching coach Roger McDowell, whom a fan accused of making ugly comments and gestures and threatening him with a baseball bat Saturday in San Francisco.

Justin Quinn, a 33-year-old fan from Fresno, Calif., said McDowell's comments were made Saturday during pregame batting practice at AT&T Park. Quinn said he attended the game with his wife and 9-year-old twin daughters when McDowell said to three men in the stands: "Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?"

Quinn said McDowell made crude sexual gestures with his hips and a bat.

Quinn said he shouted to McDowell, "Hey there are kids out here'' and the coach replied that kids don't belong at a baseball park. Quinn said McDowell picked up a bat, walked up to Quinn and asked him, "How much are your teeth worth?"

McDowell apologized in a statement, saying: "I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans. I apologize to everyone for my actions."

Notes

Texas Rangers reliever Darren O'Day has had surgery to repair a partial tear of the labrum in his left hip. He was put on the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, after going 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in eight games.

† The Cleveland Indians put starter Carlos Carrasco on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, with inflammation in his right elbow. To take Carrasco's roster spot, the club recalled reliever Frank Herrmann from Class AAA Columbus.

AP

Ben Zobrist, who had eight RBI in Game 1, is hugged by Reid Brignac after the Rays beat the Twins. | genevieve Ross~apGenevieve Ross