After another slow start by the Yankees, Mike Mussina made sure New York didn't get blown out by the Chicago White Sox again.
Mussina gave up two quick runs, then watched his teammates rally for five in the first off rookie Neal Cotts (1-1). The Yankees went on to beat Chicago 7-5 on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series between division leaders.
New York, pummeled by a combined 24-4 in the first two games, headed to Boston for a weekend series with a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL East.
Mussina (15-7) won for the fifth time in six decisions, giving up three runs and eight hits in six innings.
Athletics 6, Orioles 4
In Oakland, California, Adam Melhuse hit a three-run homer and John Halama pitched into the seventh inning as Oakland won its sixth straight, sweeping Baltimore.
Scott Hatteberg led off Oakland's four-run first inning with a homer against Rodrigo Lopez (6-9). Mark Ellis later added an RBI triple as the AL West-leading A's cruised to their 10th win in 12 games -- and their sixth straight victory over Baltimore this season.
Devil Rays 3, Mariners 2
In Seattle, Toby Hall homered in the ninth inning, sending Tampa Bay to a victory over slumping Seattle.
The Mariners fell two games behind Oakland in the ALWest after leading the division for 4 1/2 months. They lost for the eighth time in nine games, leaving them a half-game back of Boston in the wild-card chase.
Twins 6, Angels 1
In Anaheim, California, Jacque Jones hit a two-run homer, leading Kyle Lohse and Minnesota over Anaheim.
Matthew LeCroy and Luis Rivas also drove in two runs apiece for the Twins, who moved within 1 1/2 games of the AL Central lead.
Royals 6, Rangers 5, 11 innings
In Kansas City, Missouri, Mike Sweeney singled in the winning run in the 11th inning to help Kansas City regain first place and overcome two homers by Alex Rodriguez in the Royals' win over Texas.
Indians 8, Tigers 3
In Cleveland, Rookie Jody Gerut homered twice and drove in a career-high five runs, powering Cleveland over Detroit.
Brewers 4, Reds 3
Bill Hall's two-run homer in the 10th inning sent the Milwaukee Brewers to their 10th straight victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Geoff Jenkins homered in his fourth consecutive game for Milwaukee but left with what was likely a season-ending thumb injury.
The Brewers' winning streak is their longest since joining the National League in 1998 -- the last time they won more than 10 in a row was during their club-record 13-game run in 1987.
Expos 4, Phillies 0
In Montreal, Javier Vazquez extended his scoreless streak to 26 innings and Vladimir Guerrero homered as Montreal finished a four-game sweep of Philadelphia.
A crowd of 20,030 saw Montreal complete its third four-game sweep this season, and second in a row at Olympic Stadium. The Expos have won nine straight home games, and five in a row overall.
Rockies 6, Giants 1
In Denver, Preston Wilson hit a grand slam, Jason Jennings pitched seven strong innings and Colorado snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over San Francisco.
With Colorado clinging to a 2-1 lead, Wilson connected off Jim Brower in the seventh for his career-best 32nd homer. Wilson drove in five runs, boosting his major league-leading RBI total to 126, also a career high.
Mets 3, Braves 1
In Atlanta, Jose Reyes became the youngest player in modern major league history to homer from both sides of the plate, leading the New York Mets over the Atlanta Braves.
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