American LeagueFrank Thomas had a season-high four hits, including a three-run homer, and Esteban Loaiza snapped a three-start losing streak on Thursday to lead the Chicago White Sox over the Minnesota Twins 10-3.
Thomas finished a triple short of the cycle -- when a batsman hits a single, double, triple and home run in the same game -- and drove in a season-high five runs. He homered in a six-run second inning for the White Sox, who opened the four-game series with their third straight win.
"He's hitting the ball well," Loaiza said of Thomas. "I think everybody's hitting the ball well."
Paul Konerko added two solo shots -- one off reliever Terry Mulholland in the seventh and another off Grant Balfour in the ninth.
Loaiza (5-3) pitched seven innings, allowing nine hits and three runs. His last victory was April 29 against Toronto.
"Hopefully, we just come back tomorrow and get some more runs like we did today," Loaiza said.
Seth Greisinger (1-3) lasted four-plus innings, allowing seven runs -- three earned -- and 10 hits.
Rangers 6, Royals 3
In Arlington, Texas, Rod Barajas had a three-run double and Hank Blalock hit a two-run homer in a five-run second inning as Texas beat Kansas City to snap a three-game losing streak.
Barajas entered in the second inning in place of rookie catcher Gerald Laird, who tore a ligament in his left thumb on a tag play in the first inning. Laird began the night leading American League rookies in hits (27), runs (14), batting average (.307) and on-base percentage (.374).
Rangers starter Kenny Rogers (6-2) allowed three runs and 10 hits over 6 2-3 innings. Francisco Cordero got three outs for his 13th save in as many chances.
Darrell May (1-6) allowed six runs and eight hits over four-plus innings.
Devil Rays 9, Red Sox 6
In St. Petersburg, Florida, Jose Cruz Jr. had a two-run double and Rocco Baldelli drove in two runs with a single during a six-run third inning as Tampa Bay beat Derek Lowe and Boston.
Tampa Bay nearly blew a seven-run lead in ending a five-game losing streak. It was just the second win in the past 14 games for the Devil Rays.
Jorge Sosa (1-0) went two scoreless innings for the win. Danys Baez pitched the ninth for his fifth save.
Lowe (3-4) lasted a season-low 2 1-3 innings, giving up seven runs and eight hits. He's winless in his last four starts, including three losses.
Athletics 3, Tigers 2
In Oakland, California, Erubiel Durazo scored on Eric Munson's throwing error in the eighth inning after reaching base on another miscue as Oakland defeated Detroit.
Durazo reached on a fielding error by first baseman Carlos Pena, went to second on Damian Miller's sacrifice, advanced to third on Mark McLemore's groundout and scored when Munson dived to stop pinch-hitter Billy McMillon's sharp grounder but threw the ball wide of first.
Jaime Walker (0-1) pitched one-plus innings, giving up just one hit and the unearned run in the eighth.
Yankees 6, Angels 2
In Anaheim, California, Mike Mussina pitched effectively into the eighth inning, and New York got home runs from Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter in a victory over Anaheim.
Mussina (5-4) won his fourth consecutive start, holding the AL West-leading Angels to one run and seven hits through 7 2-3 innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked none.
Matsui hit a two-run homer in the fourth off Bartolo Colon (4-3). Jeter had a solo shot in the third, and Jorge Posada added a two-run double to help the Yankees move a half-game ahead of the Red Sox in the AL East.
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