BOSTON — Torii Hunter produced as many runs with one swing against Daisuke Matsuzaka as the right-hander's five previous opponents combined.

Hunter hit a three-run homer and Casey Kotchman added a two-run shot in Los Angeles' six-run sixth inning, helping the Angels beat Boston 7-5 last night for their sixth straight regular-season win against the Red Sox.

Francisco Rodriguez worked the ninth for his major league-best 44th save for the Angels, who held on for the win against a team that swept them 3-0 in both the 2004 and 2007 AL division series. Los Angeles has won 10 of 12 overall.

"I don't know if there's any rhyme or reason to some of the streaks," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "but we've been playing more consistent baseball this season on the road and at home."

Los Angeles (65-40) improved baseball's best road record to 34-19. Boston has the AL's best home record at 37-14, but has lost three of its last four at Fenway Park.

The Angels swept the Red Sox in Los Angeles from July 18-20.

Kotchman's homer gave the Angels a 3-2 lead. Hunter's shot drove Matsuzaka (11-2) from the game after he hadn't given up a homer in any of his previous five starts and one in the previous eight.

"This guy gave up three runs in the last five starts and, pow, you hit a homer," Hunter said. "I know he's a good pitcher and I had to let that go and just swing hard just in case you hit it."

Manny Ramirez singled home Boston's first two runs and homered off Rodriguez for the last run in the ninth. It was his 20th homer, making him the eighth player to hit that many in 14 consecutive seasons.

Twins 7, White Sox 0: Kevin Slowey pitched a six-hitter (7-7) and Denard Span hit his first major league home run as host Minnesota beat Chicago.

Orioles 13, Yankees 4: Adam Jones hit a grand slam and an RBI triple as Baltimore ended New York's 10-game home winning streak. Kevin Millar and Ramon Hernandez also homered for the Orioles.

Indians 5, Tigers 0: Paul Byrd (5-10) gave up four hits over 7 2/3 innings and combined with Edward Mujica on a four-hit shutout of visiting Detroit.

Blue Jays 3, Rays 1: A.J. Burnett (12-9) matched a career-high with his 12th win and Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer as host Toronto won for the sixth time in seven games.

Mariners 7, Rangers 5: Adrian Beltre homered twice, including the go-ahead shot in the eighth inning, to lead Seattle past host Texas.

Royals 4, Athletics 2: Jose Guillen and Alex Gordon homered to lead visiting Kansas City over Oakland.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Marlins 7, Mets 3: Dan Uggla and Cody Ross hit RBI singles to spark a five-run eighth inning as host Florida rallied to beat New York. With their 31st come-from-behind win, most in the National League, the Marlins closed within a game of NL East-leading New York. Second-place Philadelphia is a half-game out of first.

Padres 8, Diamondbacks 5: Greg Maddux (4-8) snapped a career-high, 14-start winless streak as host San Diego beat Arizona. Maddux also moved past Hall of Famer Phil Niekro and into 10th place on the all-time strikeout list with 3,344.

Cardinals 12, Braves 3: Albert Pujols drove in three runs and Joe Mather went 3 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs as St. Louis beat host Atlanta.

Pirates 8, Rockies 4: Nate McLouth homered and Ryan Doumit and Doug Mientkiewicz each had three hits and two RBIs as host Pittsburgh ended Colorado's five-game winning streak.

Astros 5, Reds 4: Roy Oswalt (8-8) came off the disabled list and beat visiting Cincinnati, striking out five in Houston's win. The Houston ace threw 74 pitches in five innings in his first start since aggravating a left hip injury on July 11.

Giants 7, Dodgers 6: Jose Castillo hit a pair of RBI singles and Fred Lewis also drove in two runs as San Francisco beat host Los Angeles to end a three-game skid.

ELSEWHERE

Braves: Tim Hudson has ligament damage in his pitching elbow and went on the disabled list yesterday after an MRI found the damage. The Braves also placed slugger Chipper Jones on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury.

Yankees: Catcher Jorge Posada will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, ending his attempt to return to New York's lineup for the team's playoff push. The five-time All-Star catcher has struggled with shoulder pain most of the season, weakening his throws and limiting his playing time behind the plate.

Cubs: Reliever Kerry Wood threw in the bullpen yesterday, but manager Lou Piniella said his closer is not close to returning from a blister on his pitching hand. Wood is eligible to return today at Milwaukee, but still hasn't fully recovered from the blister on his right index finger that's kept him out since July 11.