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Wang goes the distance for NY

New York Yankees pitcher Wang Chien-ming, second right, gets a hug from Yankees pitching coach Ron Guidry as third base coach Larry Bowa, left, and outfielder Johnny Damon watch after Wang pitched a complete game against the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday. The Yankees beat the White Sox 5-1. PHOTO: EPA

The New York Yankees beat the slumping Chicago White Sox for the second straight time on Wednesday, riding Wang Chien-ming (王建民) of Taiwan's complete game to a comfortable 5-1 victory.

The win was the fifth in the last seven games for the Yankees, who expect to be bolstered by the return of Roger Clemens tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Clemens, who signed a pro-rated US$28 million free agent deal to come back to the Yanks, was originally supposed to start the opener of the series in Chicago, but was pushed back because of a groin problem.

The victory lifted the Yankee record to 26-31, and put them to within 10 games of the Boston Red Sox.

"We're feeling pretty good," centerfielder Johnny Damon, who had two doubles, told reporters. "It's fun when things start going your way."

Wang (5-4) pitched New York's first complete game of the season and the third of his career, as he tossed a five-hitter and sent the White Sox to their seventh loss in the last eight games.

"He was great ... That pitch count, it doesn't come any better than that, that's for sure."

Joe Torre, New York Yankees manager

The Taiwanese right-hander, who needed just 104 pitches to get the job done, is 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA his last five starts and the complete game marked the Yanks' first complete-game win since Wang beat Tampa Bay with a two-hit shutout on July 28 last year.

"He was great," New York manager Joe Torre told reporters. "That pitch count, it doesn't come any better than that, that's for sure."

Alex Rodriguez drove in two runs in a four-run fourth inning and Bobby Abreu hit a solo homer to carry the New York offense that made a loser of former Yankee Javier Vasquez (3-4).

The win was the 1,999th of Torre's managerial career.

Twins 8, Angels 5

At Anaheim, California, Nick Punto, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Bartlett homered and Kevin Slowey lasted long enough to get his first victory in Major League Baseball as the Minnesota Twins beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-5 on Wednesday.

The Twins took advantage of a key error by shortstop Orlando Cabrera to stop a four-game losing streak. The Angels had won five in a row.

Orioles 9, Mariners 5

In Seattle, Jay Gibbons ended a 0-for-22 slide with two hits and started a five-run rally that helped Baltimore beat Seattle to stop a five-game losing streak.

Baltimore's bullpen, which failed to protect late leads the previous two nights, held on in the ninth with Chris Ray to end Seattle's four-game winning streak. Ray pitched for the first time since giving up a game-ending homer on Sunday to the Los Angeles Angels' Vladimir Guerrero.

In other AL action it was:

* Athletics 3, Red Sox 2

* Royals 4, Indians 3

* Tigers 10, Rangers 0

* Devil Rays 6, Blue Jays 2

Trevor Hoffman became the first big leaguer to reach 500 career saves when he saved the San Diego Padres' 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old Hoffman pitched a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances this season. He jogged in from the bullpen accompanied by rock band AC/DC's ominous Hells Bells as usual, and a standing ovation from the crowd of 31,541 at Petco Park.

Greg Maddux (5-3) has won five straight home starts following his loss to Colorado in the home opener on April 6.

The Padres chased Randy Wolf (7-4) after five innings, handing him his first loss since April 30.

Rockies 8, Astros 7

At Denver, Brad Hawpe had a two-run tiebreaking triple in the seventh inning to help Colorado beat Houston.

Kaz Matsui had tied the game 5-5 with a homer, and finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Matt Holliday was 3-for-3 with an RBI.

Diamondbacks 1, Giants 0

At Phoenix, Chris Young broke a scoreless tie with a home run to center field leading off the seventh inning, lifting the surging Arizona over San Francisco -- a night after his game-ending shot in the 10th for the Diamondbacks.

Brandon Webb (6-3) matched his season high with four walks but still pitched a gem to win his third straight start. He struck out seven and allowed six hits in seven innings, keeping the Diamondbacks unbeaten at home in five games against San Francisco this season.

Cubs 6, Brewers 2

At Milwaukee, Carlos Zambrano controlled his temper and his pitches, and Chicago overcame Prince Fielder's 21st home run to beat Milwaukee.

Zambrano (6-5) melted down in his last start, giving up a career-high 13 hits last Friday against Atlanta and getting into a dugout skirmish with catcher Michael Barrett. The hostilities continued in the clubhouse, and Barrett sustained a cut lip and went to a hospital for stitches.

In other NL action it was:

* Marlins 7, Braves 4

* Phillies 4, Mets 2

* Cardinals 6, Reds 4

* Nationals 6, Pirates 5
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