Chamberlain lands a win

He gets first as starter as Yankees rip Pirates

Joba Chamberlain had seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings, and threw a season-high 114 pitches as the Yankees are 4-1 in the ex-reliever's starts. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)

Joba Chamberlain was dominant in his first major league win as a starter and the New York Yankees bounced back from one of their worst losses of the season, routing the Pirates, 10-0, last night in Pittsburgh.

Derek Jeter went 3 for 3 and scored three runs, Bobby Abreu had a three-run homer among his three hits, and Robinson Cano added a solo shot as the Yankees got 16 hits to shake off a 12-5 loss Tuesday that prompted manager Joe Girardi to say they "stunk."

The Yankees, winning their ninth in 12 games, were helped by two throwing errors by normally reliable Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson while taking a 3-0 lead in the third against Zach Duke (4-5). Abreu and Cano both went deep in a four-run sixth against reliever T.J. Beam.

Not that Chamberlain (2-2) needed much help while winning for the first time in five career starts. He regularly hit 99 miles per hour on the radar gun while striking out seven and walking one in 6 2/3 innings. He threw 114 pitches.

Chamberlain has a 2.03 ERA since making his first start June 3 - and the Yankees are 4-1 when he starts.

"It continues to get stronger and get better and everything went well," Chamberlain said. "Throwing strike one allowed my curveball and slider to work out well. Everything felt good."

Rays 15, Marlins 3 - Carl Crawford had two home runs and a career-high five RBIs, and the first nine Tampa Bay batters reached and scored in what became a 10-run fifth inning as the Rays cruised to victory in Miami.

Ben Zobrist also homered for Tampa Bay, which remained one game behind the Red Sox in the AL East.

Mets 8, Mariners 2 - David Wright homered in his first two at-bats, helping John Maine and New York rebound from two lackluster losses to lowly Seattle at Shea Stadium.

Jose Reyes added a three-run homer and Maine (8-5) didn't allow a hit until Jeremy Reed singled leading off the fifth.

Cubs 7, Orioles 4 - Geovany Soto drove in three runs, Jim Edmonds homered, and Chicago jumped on spot starter Matt Albers early and beat Baltimore at Wrigley Field.

Ted Lilly (8-5) went seven innings and gave up five hits and four runs - his biggest problem was Jay Payton, who had two home runs. Payton is 9 for 19 with three homers in his career against the lefthander.

Twins 9, Padres 3 - Greg Maddux's winless streak reached nine starts, the second-longest drought of his career, as Brendan Harris hit a go-ahead homer for visiting Minnesota, which extended its winning streak to eight games.

In his 23d season, the 42-year-old Maddux (3-6) dropped to 0-3 in nine starts since his last win, May 10 against Colorado. Maddux became the ninth big leaguer to reach 350 wins that night.

Giants 4, Indians 1 - Barry Zito (3-11) allowed one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out four without a walk in his best start of the season to lift visiting San Francisco.

Jose Castillo had three hits, including a homer, for the Giants, who improved to 4-10 in interleague action, the same record Cleveland has against NL clubs this season.

Tigers 8, Cardinals 7 - Gary Sheffield's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth scored Clete Thomas from second to give host Detroit the victory in a game that had a 2 1/2-hour rain delay.

Rick Ankiel hit two homers and drove in three runs, and Skip Schumaker also homered for St. Louis.

Braves 4, Brewers 2 - Kelly Johnson drove in three runs to back Jorge Campillo, and Atlanta rallied to beat visiting Milwaukee and avoid getting swept in the three-game series.

Reds 6, Blue Jays 5 - Jay Bruce drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, and Ken Griffey hit his 602d career home run to spark Cincinnati at Toronto.

Royals 4, Rockies 2 - Luke Hochevar (5-5) pitched a career-high eight innings, Ross Gload drove in two runs, and host Kansas City picked up its fifth straight victory.

Nationals 5, Angels 4 - Jesus Flores lined an RBI single to right-center with one out in the bottom of the ninth to lift Washington over visiting Los Angeles.

Rangers 3, Astros 2 - Max Ramirez got his first two major league hits and the second one - a two-run homer in the fourth inning - gave Texas the win over host Houston.

Phillies 4, Athletics 0 - Kyle Kendrick (7-3) pitched eight strong innings, allowing just four hits in the longest start of his career, to help visiting Philadelphia end a season-long six-game losing streak.

Dodgers 5, White Sox 0 - Eric Stults (2-0) pitched his first career complete game and capped a three-run fourth inning with a sacrifice fly, leading Los Angeles past visiting Chicago.