OAKLAND, Calif. — Michael Cuddyer came crashing into home and Michael Wuertz knew he had to cover the plate after his wild pitch. The Oakland reliever reached out and did his best to make the play.

That's how this crazy slugfest finally ended — 3 hours, 32 minutes, 39 hits and 27 runs later.

"After that out was made, I was thinking, 'What just happened,' " Wuertz said last night following the Athletics' improbable 14-13 comeback victory in which they rallied from 10 runs down to beat Minnesota.

Matt Holliday hit a tying grand slam in the seventh inning and Jack Cust followed with another drive in a game featuring eight home runs.

Holliday also had a two-run shot in the largest comeback in Oakland history. The franchise's most famous rally came when the Philadelphia A's trailed 8-0 in Game 4 of the 1929 World Series before scoring 10 runs in the seventh to beat the Cubs, 10-8.

Cuddyer was thrown out by catcher Kurt Suzuki, a Baldwin High alum from Maui, trying to score from second. He appeared to be safe and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire stepped between him and plate umpire Mike Muchlinski as the outfielder argued the call. Cuddyer slammed his helmet down and later said, "There's no doubt in my mind I was safe."

Justin Morneau hit his second grand slam this season and a three-run homer for a career-high seven RBIs, but the Twins couldn't hold a 12-2 lead and matched their biggest collapse in history. They also blew a 10-run lead on Sept. 28, 1984, at Cleveland.

Holliday connected for his fourth career slam off Jose Mijares (0-2) and had his 12th career multihomer game.

Morneau hit his sixth career slam in the second to stake Nick Blackburn to an 8-2 lead. Then Cuddyer connected for the Twins' fourth set of back-to-back homers this season. Morneau homered again in the third to chase A's starter Gio Gonzalez and doubled in the fifth.

Yankees 2, Orioles 1: Hideki Matsui homered off Jim Johnson in the ninth inning, giving host New York a victory over Baltimore. Matsui's home run off Johnson (3-4) extended the Yankees' winning streak to four since the All-Star break. New York (55-37) moved into a first-place tie with Boston in the AL East.

Rangers 6, Red Sox 3: David Murphy and Jarrod Saltalamacchia of host Texas homered on consecutive pitches in the same inning Michael Young led off with a long ball. The Rangers' three homers came off John Smoltz (1-3) in the sixth.

White Sox 4, Rays 3: Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer for host Chicago to back a solid start by Gavin Floyd. Floyd (8-6) went seven innings to improve to 6-2 in his last 11 starts. He gave up three hits — all homers.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves 11 Giants 3: Tommy Hanson struck out 11 in seven innings to remain unbeaten, Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer and host Atlanta beat Jonathan Sanchez in his first start since his no-hitter. Sanchez gave up three runs and four hits and struck out eight over six innings in his first game since his gem against San Diego on July 10.

Dodgers 7, Reds 5: Manny Ramirez hit his 537th home run to pass Mickey Mantle into 15th place on the all-time list, Jason Schmidt won his first major league start in more than two years, and host Los Angeles beat Cincinnati. Ramirez homered off Micah Owings (6-10) in the second inning. Schmidt (1-0) allowed three runs and five hits in five innings.

Rockies 10, Diamondbacks 6: Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven strong innings in his fifth straight win and drove in two runs, Dexter Fowler and Chris Iannetta homered, and host Colorado beat Arizona. De La Rosa (7-7) is 7-1 since May 31. He gave up one run on four hits, struck out six and walked one.

Astros 3, Cardinals 2: Carlos Lee's three-run homer lifted host Houston over St. Louis. Houston was trailing 2-0 when Lee followed Miguel Tejada's single and a walk by Lance Berkman with a shot to deep left field in the fourth. Houston's Brian Moehler (7-5) allowed six hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Marlins 3, Padres 2: Rick VandenHurk pitched six strong innings to earn his first win in more than a year, leading visiting Florida over San Diego. VandenHurk, making his first start since last July, allowed two runs and five hits, struck out four and walked two.

Mets 6, Nationals 2: Livan Hernandez threw seven solid innings and Jeff Francoeur hit his first homer with visiting New York. Francoeur finished with three hits and two RBIs for the Mets. Hernandez (6-5) allowed two runs and five hits.

Pirates 8, Brewers 5: Delwyn Young and Garrett Jones homered to help host Pittsburgh end a 17-game skid against Milwaukee. Both benched and bullpens cleared when Chris Smith hit Pirates reliever Jeff Karstens with a pitch in the eighth.

NOTES

Mets: New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel's job is safe. Mets general manager Omar Minaya gave the vote of confidence during the fourth inning of New York's game against the Washington Nationals last night. "I want you to be our general manager, and I want Jerry to be our manager," Minaya said he was told by Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon.

Rangers: Texas is again without closer Frank Francisco. Francisco, who has already been on the disabled list twice for injuries, was put on the 15-day DL because he is unavailable to pitch due to a mild case of pneumonia.

Athletics: Oakland placed slugger Jason Giambi on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle. He is 7 for 57 over his last 19 games.