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The Boston Red Sox manager motioned for one reliever, then another, and another, in a desperate attempt to prevent what was shaping up to be the biggest comeback in the history of the Baltimore Orioles.
Francona finally called upon closer Jonathan Papelbon, who was 20 for 20 in save opportunities against Baltimore. Even that move proved futile.
Nick Markakis hit a two-run double off Papelbon in the eighth inning, completing a rally Tuesday night in which the Orioles overcame a nine-run deficit and beat the Red Sox 11-10.
Previously, the biggest comeback in Orioles history was Sept. 2, 1956, when Baltimore rallied from an eight-run deficit at Boston. In this one, the Orioles got 13 of their 16 hits in the seventh and eighth innings off five Red Sox relievers.
"We just had no answer," Francona said. "We went through everybody. Nothing we did worked."
Takashi Saito (2-1) took the loss and Papelbon was charged with his second blown save, one night after he tied Bob Stanley's record for career saves with Boston.
Baltimore used seven hits in the seventh inning, including a three-run homer by pinch-hitter Oscar Salazar, to cut a 10-1 deficit to 10-6. In the eighth, Ty Wigginton hit a sacrifice fly and Brian Roberts delivered an RBI single before Papelbon entered. The right-hander struck out Felix Pie for the second out before Markakis stepped in.
Markakis was 0 for 7 with four strikeouts against Papelbon, but this time he hit a double to left-center.
"Give the other team credit. They put pressure on our bullpen tonight and we pretty much imploded," Papelbon said. "I can't think of any other word that describes it better."
Long before Francona ordered up a parade of relievers, John Smoltz put himself in position to earn his first win in well over a year. But with Boston up 9-1 in the middle of the fifth, a 71-minute rain delay ended Smoltz's second start for the Red Sox.
"It was one of those games when you think you'll be able to go six or eight innings because of the lead and then the rain comes," Smoltz said. "No one would have ever dreamed it would play out the way it did."
Mark Hendrickson (3-4) gave up one run in three innings and George Sherrill got three outs for his 17th save.
"That was probably the best game I've been involved in, right there," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said. "That was absolutely tremendous. When you talk about playing all 27 outs, that's tonight."
Rangers 9, Angels 5
At Arlington, Texas, Marlon Byrd homered twice to drive in five runs for the Rangers. The AL West-leading Angels had their six-game winning streak snapped, but are still 1 1/2 games ahead of Texas.
Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz and David Murphy also went deep for Texas, which ended what had been one of the worst offensive months in team history with a season-high five homers — four in 3 2-3 innings off Joe Saunders (8-5).
The left-hander is 0-5 with an 11.67 ERA in five career starts at Rangers Ballpark, and 21-4 with a 2.92 ERA in 31 starts as a visitor to other ballparks. He is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four home starts against Texas.
Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus had four stolen bases, the first AL rookie to do that since 2000.
Twins 2, Royals 1
At Kansas City, Mo., Justin Morneau homered for the third straight game and Scott Baker (6-6) labored through five tough innings to beat Brian Bannister (5-6). Joe Nathan got his 15th straight save and 20th in 22 chances.
Yankees 8, Mariners 5
At New York, Melky Cabrera hit a go-ahead double in the eighth and Mariano Rivera tossed out the first ball — and threw the final pitch — as the Yankees won their sixth straight.
Alex Rodriguez hit his 565th homer and Cabrera drove in three runs. The Yankees won their ninth in a row at home over Seattle, a streak dating to 2007.
Major league batting leader Ichiro Suzuki got two hits and stole three bases for the Mariners.
After a 61-minute rain delay at the start, Rivera began the evening by delivering a ceremonial first pitch as the Yankees honored him for earning his 500th career save Sunday. Rivera pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save in 20 chances.
White Sox 11, Indians 4, 6 innings
At Cleveland, Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye drove in two runs apiece and Chicago chased Indians ace Cliff Lee (4-7) in the fourth inning of a game called in the seventh because of rain.
The White Sox (39-38) have won four straight and 11 of 15 to move above .500 for the first time since May 2. Gordon Beckham and Josh Fields also homered for Chicago.
Lee had pitched at least five innings in 47 consecutive starts before being battered by the White Sox for seven runs and 11 hits in three-plus innings. Cleveland has lost 12 of 14.
Clayton Richard (3-1) won for the first time in six June starts. He allowed four hits and was credited with his first complete game.
Rays 4, Blue Jays 1
At Toronto, B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford and Willy Aybar hit solo homers and Tampa Bay won its seventh straight.
Matt Garza (6-5) went seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time since April 30 and May 5. J.P. Howell worked the ninth for his sixth save.
Upton hit the game's first pitch from Scott Richmond (6-5) for his seventh homer. The Rays hit a team-record 41 home runs in June.
Tigers 5, Athletics 3
At Oakland, Calif., Armando Galarraga (5-7) pitched two-hit ball into the seventh and Placido Polanco homered and drove in three runs for Detroit. The AL Central leaders won nine of 12.
