A power surge for Konerko

Paul Konerko homered twice off A.J. Burnett to spoil the righthander's Toronto debut, giving the White Sox a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays yesterday in Chicago.

Konerko hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth -- his second of the game, fourth of the season, and third in two games.

Burnett (0-1), who signed a five-year, $55 million contract with Toronto after spending seven seasons with the Marlins, gave up 7 hits and 4 runs while walking 1 and striking out 5 in six innings. He started the season on the disabled list after scar tissue broke off in his elbow during spring training, delaying his first start.

He pitched well, but Mark Buehrle was a bit better on a sunny 57-degree day.

Buehrle (2-0) had a shaky first inning when he gave up a leadoff infield single to Reed Johnson and then a two-run homer to Alex Rios. After Vernon Wells reached on another infield hit to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, Buehrle (8 innings, 5 hits, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts) settled down and got the next three hitters, ending his 25-pitch inning.

Indians 7, Tigers 2 -- Fausto Carmona allowed one run in six innings in his major league debut, leading Cleveland past host Detroit.

Carmona (1-0) gave up five hits to help the Indians snap a three-game losing streak. He walked two and struck out four.

Athletics 5, Rangers 4 -- Eric Chavez, Frank Thomas, and Milton Bradley homered on three straight pitches in the sixth inning, and host Oakland snapped a four-game losing streak.

Chavez led off the inning with a shot into the right-field seats, Thomas followed with his 451st career homer and third of the year, then Bradley connected to chase starter Vicente Padilla.

Orioles 3, Angels 2 -- Erik Bedard pitched eight strong innings to earn his third win, and Baltimore used a three-run fifth to beat Bartolo Colon (0-2) and visiting Los Angeles.

Bedard (3-0) allowed eight hits and two runs, striking out four and walking none. He has a 2.25 ERA in three starts.

Devil Rays 6, Royals 3 -- Ty Wigginton drove in three runs and Shawn Camp pitched two innings for his first save to help Tampa Bay hold off visiting Kansas City.

Brewers 8, Mets 2 -- Tomo Ohka shut down New York's offense and slapped a go-ahead double as visiting Milwaukee stopped the Mets' winning streak at seven.

Pitching against a team that began the day with a .310 batting average, Ohka (1-1) allowed two runs (one earned) and five hits in seven innings. He had been 0-5 in seven appearances at Shea Stadium.

Carlos Lee and Geoff Jenkins homered for Milwaukee, which had not scored five or more runs since April 8.

Braves 2, Padres 0 -- John Smoltz gave Atlanta's starting staff its first win with his 16th career shutout and the Braves beat Jake Peavy and visiting San Diego.

Peavy (1-2) gave up only four hits and two runs in seven innings as the Braves were held to fewer than four runs for the first time this year. He struck out eight and issued two walks, one intentional.

Smoltz (1-1) was better, giving up only four hits and two walks.

Cardinals 9, Reds 3 -- Sidney Ponson won his home debut as St. Louis backed him with home runs by Albert Pujols, Hector Luna, and Scott Spiezio in a rout.

Luna tied his career high with three RBIs for the Cardinals, who are 3-2 at new Busch Stadium.

Nationals 2, Marlins 1 -- John Patterson retired the first 13 batters, allowed three hits in eight innings, and matched a career high with 13 strikeouts, helping visiting Washington break a six-game losing streak.

Washington's Royce Clayton doubled home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.

Pirates 2, Cubs 1 -- Zach Duke (1-1) limited Chicago to a run over seven innings, and Craig Wilson, Sean Casey's replacement at first base, tripled and scored both runs as Pittsburgh ended an eight-game losing streak to the Cubs at home.

Rockies 10, Phillies 6 -- Matt Holliday homered and drove in five runs, and host Colorado used a 14-hit attack to rout Philadelphia.