Twins 10, Angels 1
Justin Morneau hit two homers, rookie Anthony Swarzak shut down a potent lineup pitching into the seventh inning, and the Minnesota Twins ended the Los Angeles Angels' eight-game winning streak with a 10-1 victory Sunday.
Denard Span homered and drove in a season-high four runs, and even light-hitting Nick Punto added a season-best three RBIs as the Twins ended a four-game losing streak.
Swarzak (3-3) allowed just four hits and three walks in his eighth career start, throwing 121 pitches against one of the majors' most productive offenses.
Kendry Morales' fourth-inning homer was the first hit for Los Angeles, which scored 62 runs during its streak before sputtering on a sweltering day in Orange County.
Morneau hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the seventh as the Twins battered Los Angeles starter Ervin Santana (3-6) for six runs.
Rangers 7, Royals 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Dustin Nippert allowed one hit in a stellar job of relief pitching, and the Rangers scored seven times off the Kansas City bullpen.
Nippert was forced into action when Rangers starter Kevin Millwood left after two innings with tightness in his left gluteus. He gave up a run in the seventh on Alex Gordon's single, the only hit he allowed. Nippert (3-0) walked two, hit a batter and struck out one in 4 2-3 innings.
Ron Mahay (1-1), the first of four relievers, faced two batters and gave up two hits to take the loss for the Royals. They've lost 11 of 12 overall.
Orioles 6, Red Sox 2
BOSTON (AP) - Nick Markakis homered and drove in three runs off a struggling John Smoltz, and the Orioles snapped an 11-game losing streak at Fenway Park.
Markakis hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning, an RBI double in the third and a solo homer in the fifth that gave the Orioles a 6-0 lead.
David Hernandez (3-2) allowed one run in seven innings, helping Baltimore to its first win in Boston since July 11, 2008, and its third win in its last 30 games against AL East opponents.
The 24-year-old rookie outpitched 21-year veteran Smoltz (1-4), whose comeback from offseason shoulder surgery has been rocky. He gave up six earned runs in five innings.
Yankees 7, Athletics 5
NEW YORK (AP) - Derek Jeter hit a go-ahead single, Mariano Rivera earned a four-out save and the Yankees capped a stellar homestand in which they grabbed the AL East.
Robinson Cano had an early three-run double and the Yankees got a strong effort from the bullpen, as they wrapped up a 9-1 start to the second half. After winning for the 22nd time in 28 games, the Yankees hit the road for 19 of their next 26.
Phil Hughes provided more spotless relief, Phil Coke (2-3) go the win even though he gave up a go-ahead homer to Mark Ellis, and Brian Bruney got the ball to Rivera to close out the game.
Oakland starter Dallas Braden (7-9) was done in by a career-high six walks. He allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings.
Blue Jays 5, Rays 1
TORONTO (AP) - Scott Rolen hit a three-run homer and the Blue Jays handed Rays rookie Jeff Niemann his first loss in his last six decisions.
Blue Jays rookie Brett Cecil got the win, allowing one run and four hits in seven innings. Cecil (4-1) walked three and struck out seven. Brandon League pitched the eighth and Jason Frasor finished as the Blue Jays won for just the second time in nine games against the Rays.
One day after blowing an eight-run lead and losing 10-9 in 12 innings, Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak. The Blue Jays have lost seven of their past eight series.
Niemann (9-5) allowed five runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings to lose for the first time since May 28 at Cleveland. He walked one and struck out six.
Indians 12, Mariners 3
SEATTLE (AP) - Grady Sizemore hit the 20th leadoff homer of his career, Jhonny Peralta hit his second career grand slam and the Indians hit four long balls to finish a three-game sweep.
The Mariners entered the weekend with optimism about their chances in both the AL West and wild-card races, but it beneath the Indians' offensive onslaught.
Cliff Lee (7-9) gave up a pair of first-inning runs on Franklin Gutierrez's two-out single before retiring the next 13 straight. The reigning AL Cy Young winner finished seven strong innings, giving up just six hits and two runs. He struck out four and walked none.
Jason Vargas (3-4) was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to make Sunday's start, his first with the Mariners since July 8. He scraped through four innings giving up just two runs, before failing to record an out in a six-run fifth.
White Sox 5, Tigers 1
DETROIT (AP) - Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer in Chicago's four-run first, Gordon Beckham added a solo home run the next inning and the White Sox coasted and avoided a sweep.
Clayton Richard (4-3) allowed only a run on five hits over eight innings to help the White Sox salvage a four-game series that started with them tied atop the AL Central with Detroit. The Tigers lead Chicago by two games and the Minnesota Twins by four.
Rick Porcello (9-7) gave up five runs and five hits over 5 1-3 innings. The rookie has allowed 19 earned runs in his last four starts after giving up 16 earned runs in the previous 10 outings.