ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rocco Baldelli's career nearly came to an end during spring training. Five months later, he's delivering key hits to spark Tampa Bay's surprising playoff drive.

Baldelli hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning and the AL East-leading Rays came back from a four-run deficit to defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 10-9, yesterday.

Baldelli missed most of the season due to a mitochondrial disorder, a condition that slows muscle recovery and causes fatigue. His return was uncertain, and after missing much of the last few seasons because of hamstring injuries, his career was very much in question.

"I didn't think in spring training that I'd be part of anything like that," said Baldelli, who was mobbed by teammates after his first career walk-off hit. "I wanted to, but I didn't think it was a possibility. Sometimes you get things that you don't expect. So it was nice."

Baldelli started the season on the disabled list and was activated Aug. 10. In part-time duty, he is hitting .294 with two homers and six RBIs in 12 games.

"I know that the guys were pulling for him," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I know that everybody feels especially happy for him. He looks really comfortable out there and I like that."

Carlos Pena drew a one-out walk in the ninth off Rocky Cherry (0-2) and scored on Baldelli's double down the third-base line.

Nick Markakis hit a game-tying solo homer with two outs in the ninth off Rays reliever Dan Wheeler (3-5), who blew his third save in 13 opportunities.

Tampa Bay went up 9-8 in the seventh when Orioles reliever Alberto Castillo hit Baldelli with a pitch with the bases loaded.

After Aubrey Huff's homer gave the Orioles a 5-3 lead in the third, Ramon Hernandez increased the lead to 7-3 in the fifth with an RBI single.

Athletics 3, Twins 2: Bobby Crosby and Emil Brown both scored on a throwing error by Minnesota closer Joe Nathan in the bottom of the ninth inning as host Oakland beat the Twins. With runners at first and second, Ryan Sweeney attempted a sacrifice bunt, but Nathan fielded the ball and tried to throw to third. The ball skipped past Twins' third baseman Brendan Harris and into foul territory and Crosby raced home, with Brown scoring behind him.

Red Sox 8, White Sox 2: Dustin Pedroia went 4 for 4 for the second straight game as host Boston beat Chicago. The second baseman took over the AL lead with a .327 batting average, and he did it from the cleanup spot, the first time last year's rookie of the year batted there in the majors.

Blue Jays 7, Yankees 6: Vernon Wells hit a two-run homer, Gregg Zaun drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and visiting Toronto beat New York. Joe Inglett and Jose Bautista each drove in a pair of runs for the Blue Jays, who came back from four down. Saint Louis School alum Brandon League (1-2) struck out the side in a scoreless seventh.

Angels 4, Rangers 3: Torii Hunter stole a home run from Texas for the second straight game, and host Los Angeles rallied twice to beat the Rangers. Rookie reliever Jose Arredondo (7-1) earned a victory for the third time in the Angels' last 11 games, allowing two hits over two innings after squandering Jered Weaver's 2-1 lead in the sixth.

Mariners 4, Indians 3: Raul Ibanez singled in the go-ahead run to spark visiting Seattle's two-run 10th inning. Ichiro Suzuki walked to start the 10th off Jensen Lewis (0-4). After a force play, Adrian Beltre's single moved Jeremy Reed to third. Ibanez singled through the right side on a 1-1 pitch, scoring Reed.

Royals 13, Tigers 3: Billy Butler drove in four runs in his first career multi-homer game to help visiting Kansas City end a four-game losing streak. Butler hit a solo homer in the second and added a three-run shot off starter Kenny Rogers (9-12) during the Royals' four-run sixth.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 5, Cubs 2: Jayson Werth homered twice, Ryan Howard hit his major league-leading 37th homer as visiting Philadelphia ended Chicago's seven-game winning streak. Werth also hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the sixth for the Phillies. Brett Myers (8-10) allowed 11 hits and two runs in seven-plus innings.

Marlins 4, Mets 3: Aaron Heilman issued a bases-loaded walk to Josh Willingham in the ninth inning as host Florida beat New York. Duaner Sanchez gave up a tying homer to Mike Jacobs in the eighth, setting the stage for Heilman's collapse in the ninth. Heilman (3-8) got only one out and walked four batters.

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 2: Manny Ramirez homered twice and visiting Los Angeles ended an eight-game losing streak. Ramirez, who is 18 of 33 (.545) in his career against Arizona, went deep in the third for the Dodgers' first run off Dan Haren (14-7) and hit the right-field foul pole in the seventh for his ninth homer with Los Angeles.

Astros 8, Cardinals 5: Ty Wigginton and Hunter Pence hit home runs during a six-run first inning and host Houston beat St. Louis. The Astros won their fourth straight and improved to 20-9 in the month of August, third best in the National league behind Chicago and Milwaukee.

Nationals 9, Braves 8: Elijah Dukes walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning and host Washington won its season-high fifth straight. Atlanta's Vladimir Nunez (0-2) allowed a hit, hit a batter and walked three in the 10th.

Reds 7, Giants 6: Corey Patterson tripled in Jay Bruce in the eighth inning and host Cincinnati beat San Francisco. Randy Winn homered twice and Eugenio Velez hit his first career homer for the Giants, who have lost four of their last five.

Brewers 11, Pirates 3: Corey Hart and Mike Cameron homered, Jeff Suppan won his fifth consecutive decision and visiting Milwaukee handed Pittsburgh its ninth straight loss. Cameron drove in four runs and Suppan (10-7) allowed three hits over seven innings.

Padres 9, Rockies 4: Brian Giles drove in two runs during host San Diego's six-run fourth inning and Josh Geer won his major league debut subbing for Jake Peavy, who threw 121 pitches in his previous start. Geer (1-0) pitched five innings, allowing two runs and five hits.