John Thomson held New York's sputtering offense to three hits, leading the Texas Rangers to a 5-1 victory Sunday that completed their first three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium.
Thomson (3-4) gave up doubles to Alfonso Soriano in the first and third innings, and to Hideki Matsui in the sixth, winning for the first time since April 29.
PHOTO: AP
Juan Gonzalez hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Mike Mussina (7-2), who lost his second straight start after winning his first seven. The Rangers have won three straight, matching their longest winning streak this season.
Red Sox 5, Angels 3
In Boston, John Burkett won for the first time in eight starts and Jason Varitek had two RBIs as the Boston Red Sox moved into a first-place tie with the New York Yankees in the AL East by beating the Anaheim Angels.
Twins 3, White Sox 2
In Minneapolis, Tom Gordon's wild pitch and shortstop Jose Valentin's throwing error let Minnesota score twice in the eighth inning, and the Twins rallied past the Chicago White Sox for a three-game sweep.
Minnesota moved into first place all alone for the first time this season. The AL Central champion Twins took a one-half game lead over Kansas City.
Blue Jays 4, Royals 3
In Kansas City, Missouri, Josh Phelps hit a three-run homer to lift the Toronto Blue Jays over the Kansas City Royals, completing a sweep of the three-game series.
The slumping Royals dropped into second place behind Minnesota in the AL Central. Kansas City has lost 15 of 23 after starting the season 16-3. The Blue Jays, who have won 12 of 16, are 22-22.
Athletics 8, Indians 5
In Cleveland, Eric Byrnes hit a tiebreaking RBI single in a five-run ninth inning against Cleveland closer Danys Baez as the Athletics avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Indians.
Mariners 6, Tigers 2
In Detroit, Mike Maroth became the second pitcher in Detroit history to lose his first nine decisions of the season as the Seattle Mariners beat the Tigers behind eight strong innings from Joel Pineiro.
Bret Boone, Carlos Guillen and Greg Colbrunn homered for the Mariners, who swept the three-game series.
Maroth gave up six runs and eight hits in five innings to join Ted Gray (1953) as the only Tigers pitchers to start the season 0-9. Heathcliff Slocumb was the last pitcher to lose his first nine decisions of a season, doing it in 1997 with Boston and Seattle.
Devil Rays 9, Orioles 8
In Baltimore, Aubrey Huff doubled in the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning and Travis Lee went 4-for-5 with three RBIs as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles.
Scott Rolen drove in four runs and Albert Pujols snapped a seventh-inning tie with a run-scoring infield hit as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 on Sunday.
The Cardinals have won only four of their last 12. But they maintained their mastery over the Cubs, who are 4-22 at Busch Stadium the last four seasons and haven't won consecutive games there since June 20-21, 2001.
Rockies 4, Expos 0
In Denver, Shawn Chacon pitched six scoreless innings, Jay Payton homered and Colorado the Montreal in the 22nd shutout ever at Coors Field. Chacon (5-2), winless in his previous three outings, allowed four hits to outduel Tomo Ohka (3-5).
Mets 5, Giants 1
In San Francisco, Tom Glavine took a shutout into the ninth inning and Jason Phillips homered a day after being recalled from the minors to replace the injured Mike Piazza to lead New York.
Glavine (5-3) followed up on a strong eight-inning performance by Steve Trachsel on Saturday as the Mets beat the Giants for the second straight day.
Dodgers 2, Marlins 1
In LA, Hideo Nomo pitched seven strong innings and Alex Cora drove in two runs as Los Angeles completed a three-game sweep of Florida. Nomo (5-4) allowed one run and five hits to win for the fourth time in his last five decisions. He has won his last two starts against the Marlins after going 0-8 in his first nine against them.
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