Wakefield Knuckles D-Rays; Dodger Blues

American League Tampa Bay 0 Boston 3 - There are any number of good reasons why Boston keeps Tim Wakefield (right) around. Monday's 3-0 win over Tampa Bay was just another reminder of how valuable the knuckleballer has been to the franchise over the years. Wakefield improved to 18-2 lifetime against Tampa Bay, one of Boston's divisional foes, a team they simply have to beat consistently. Wakefield (14-10) worked a no-hitter into the 7th inning, ending up with a 2-hit performance over 8 innings. Sometimes, when the knuckler is working, it's almost impossible to hit. Besides having Tampa's number, Wakefield contributes to the Boston staff in a variety of ways. He's consistent. Beginning in 2002, Wakefield's started 158 games and compiled a record of 71-55. He's had a winning record in 5 of his last six seasons, the only blemish coming last year when he was beset with injuries and finished 7-11. He could be on his way to his winningest season. He's got 8 more starts to surpass the 17 wins he put up in 1998. Baltimore 6 NY Yankees 7 - The Yankees kept pace with Boston as Melky Cabrera scored on Derek Jeter's tapper back to pitcher Chad Bradford in the bottom of the 9th. The Yanks have won 4 straight and 9 of their last 10. Minnesota 3 Seattle 4 - Richie Sexson homered to lead off the bottom of the 9th, spoiling another solid performance by Minnesota ace Johan Santana, who allowed 3 runs over 7 innings but received no decision. Besides wins, Santana (12-9) has 4 no decisions and 5 losses in games in which he's pitched at least 6 innings and allowed 3 runs or less. Sexson's walk-off blast was his 19th of the season. With their third straight win, the Mariners picked up 1/2 game on idle Los Angeles and are just 3 back, and remain tied with the Yankees for the wild card lead. Minnesota has lost 5 straight. Other AL Scores Oakland 7 Detroit 2 - Tigers fall into 1st place tie with Cleveland Toronto 2 Kansas City 6 National League Houston 4 LA Dodgers 1 - Roy Oswalt (right) did his part to contribute to the demise of the Dodgers with 8 innings of mound mastery Monday night. The Houston stopper gave up 1 earned run on 6 hits to improve to 13-6, and sink Los Angeles further behind in the NL West. The Dodgers have lost 3 straight, 8 of their last 10 and trail Arizona by 6 1/2 games. Other NL Scores San Francisco 1 Pittsburgh 3 San Francisco 10 Pittsburgh 3