Derek Jeter returned from a three-game absence to hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning, and the New York Yankees overcame the loss of Kevin Brown by rallying past the Colorado Rockies 7-5 Wednesday night.
The Yankees won their 12th straight interleague game, and Colorado lost its fourth in a row overall.
Jeter, sidelined by tightness in his left groin, Bernie Williams and Gary Sheffield homered as New York rebounded from a 5-0 deficit. The Yankees won when trailing by at least four runs for the sixth time this season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
"We can score runs in bunches because we have some guys who can hit," Jeter said.
Brown was forced to leave after two innings because of stiffness in his lower back. He said the discomfort does not feel similar to what he had after back surgery.
"Whether it's good news or bad news, we'll find out," Brown said.
Jeter's homer overcame a 5-4 deficit against Joe Kennedy (4-4). Paul Quantrill (5-2) pitched one inning, and Mariano Rivera worked the ninth for his 25th save.
Blue Jays 4, Dodgers 0
In Toronto, Miguel Batista (4-4) pitched a four-hitter for his third career shutout, striking out a season-high eight and walking two as Toronto blanked Los Angeles.
Howie Clark homered, one day after hitting his first major league home run. Jose Lima (4-2) allowed four runs and seven hits in seven innings.
Orioles 8, Diamondbacks 2
In Baltimore, Miguel Tejada hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off Stephen Randolph (1-1) in a five-run seventh, and Luis Matos added a two-run shot as Baltimore downed Arizona.
Melvin Mora scored a career-high four runs for the Orioles, who won for only the sixth time in 18 games.
John Parrish (4-2) got the last out in the seventh in relief of starter Eric DuBose.
Twins 5, Mets 3
In Minneapolis, Johan Santana (3-4) struck out 10 and walked none, allowing one run and six hits in seven inning to end his four-game losing streak as Minnesota beat the New York Mets.
Joe Nathan got four outs for his 16th save.
Jacque Jones hit a three-run homer, and Matthew LeCroy followed with a home run as Minnesota won its third straight.
Devil Rays 4, Giants 3
In St. Petersburg, Florida, Jose Cruz Jr. hit a two-out, bases-loaded single in the 10th inning after Tyler Walker (4-1) walked with the bases loaded in Tampa Bay's victory over San Francisco.
Danys Baez (2-1) pitched two innings for the victory after blowing a save for the first time in 12 chances. The Giants scored twice in the ninth, with pinch-hitter Michael Tucker singling home a run and the other crossing when Duston Mohr grounded into San Francisco's fifth double play.
Phillies 13, White Sox 10
In Chicago, Bobby Abreu homered twice off Jon Garland (5-3) and Eric Milton won his third straight start to lead Philadelphia over the Chicago White Sox.
Abreu hit a solo home run in the first and a two-run shot in a seven-run fourth for the Phillies, who had lost six of eight. Jim Thome added his third homer in two games for Philadelphia.
The teams combined to hit eight home runs a game after combining for nine in the White Sox's 14-11 win. The 17 home runs over a two-game span set a US Cellular Field record.
Aaron Rowand, Paul Konerko, Miguel Olivo, Jose Valentin and Joe Crede each homered for Chicago.
Milton (8-1) was roughed up but still got the win.
Astros 3, Mariners 0
In Seattle, Wade Miller pitched Houston to its second straight shutout of Seattle, combining with three relievers on a seven-hitter.
Jeff Kent blooped a single to center in the eighth inning, extending his career-best hitting streak to 24 games and tying the Astros' record set by Tony Eusebio in 2000.
But again the story was Houston's pitching. One night after Roger Clemens beat Seattle 1-0 for his 319th career win, the Astros earned their fifth shutout of the season.
The Mariners were blanked for the seventh time, most in the AL. They have not scored in 21 innings.
The last time Houston threw consecutive shutouts was July 10-11, 1997, at Pittsburgh.
Miller (6-6) gave up six hits in six innings, beating Freddy Garcia (3-5). Octavio Dotel got his 11th save.
Athletics 17, Reds 8
In Oakland, California, Damian Miller hit a grand slam as Oakland got a season-high 22 hits to complete a three-game sweep of Cincinnati.
Ken Griffey Jr. remained two homers shy of 500. He didn't homer during the series.
Oakland won its fifth straight and took sole possession of first place in the AL West. The Athletics improved to 15-0 against the NL Central in interleague play -- 6-0 versus Cincinnati.
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