AL Report: Alex Rodriguez Doesn't Get a Hit, Yanks Fall to Last Place

Alex Rodriguez went hitless for the first time this season and the New York Yankees fell into last place in the American League East as they lost for their fifth game in a row on Tuesday night.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays again proved to be a profitable play for baseball bettors as they capitalized on Carl Crawford's first career grand slam to claim a 6-4 victory at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay paid out at +153 on the moneyline (meaning a successful $153 wager would have netted $100). Crawford's slam came in the seventh inning and put the D-Rays up for good. He finished 4-for-4 with two runs scored as Tampa swept the two-game set. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter left the game after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning. Jeter has a bruised left thigh.

Rodriguez had hit in all 18 games for the Yankees this season and the last five games of the 2006 regular season. With the loss, New York fell to 8-11 while the Devil Rays improved to 9-11, taking over fourth spot in the AL East from the Yankees.

In other games in the American League on Tuesday:

Oakland 4, Baltimore 2: Dallas Braden went six innings in his major league debut, giving up three hits and one run while fanning six, as the Athletics swept a two-game series at Camden Yards. Braden (1-0) earned his first big league victory by throwing 86 pitches, 52 for strikes and walking only one batter. The A's were an even-money winner.

LA Angels 9, Detroit 8: Erick Aybar's fielder's choice scored Reggie Willits in the 10th inning as the host Angels won a 10-inning affair. Vladimir Guerrero and Orlando Cabrera each finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored for the Angels, who paid out at +110 straight up en route to winning their fourth in five games.

Toronto 10, Boston 3: Betting on Roy Halladay, even on the road, even against the potent Red Sox, is rarely a bad thing. The Blue Jays' ace struck out 10 in eight innings at Fenway Park to improve to 3-0. Toronto paid out at -121 on the moneyline as Vernon Wells went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBIs.

Chicago 9, Kansas City 7: Rookie pitcher Joakim Soria allowed the White Sox two runs in the ninth inning, one on a throwing error and another on a wild pitch, as Chicago swept a two-game series on the road. The Sox paid out at -158.

Cleveland 5, Minnesota 3: Suddenly, Johan Santana can't win at home. After going 17-0 in the Metrodome since August 2005, the Twins' ace lost last week to Tampa Bay and dropped his second straight home start Tuesday to the dismay of chalk bettors, who took Minnesota -245. Fausto Carmona pitched 7.2 strong innings to lead the Indians to a +215 payday.

One game in the AL was postponed when tornadoes in the Arlington area forced the Texas Rangers to cancel their scheduled start against the Seattle Mariners.

For complete MLB odds for Wednesday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

PHOTO: Carl Crawford's big fly dropped the Yankees into last place. (AI Wire photo)