Cano powers Yankees' win
New York tops Orioles to extend streak to nine
Robinson Cano helped New York race out to a big lead after losing Joba Chamberlain to a leg injury in the first inning, driving in three runs as the Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles, 7-4, last night in New York for their ninth straight win.
Cano hit an RBI double in New York's four-run first and a two-run shot in the second. Melky Cabrera, subbing for a sore Johnny Damon, had a two-run double in the first and Hideki Matsui connected in the fifth to give Yankee Stadium the record for most homers in a ballpark's first 20 games.
Mariano Rivera tossed a perfect ninth inning for his 57th save against Baltimore, his most against any team. It also was career save No. 491, his second in two days, and his ninth in 10 opportunities this season.
Chamberlain didn't last very long in his first start against the Orioles since Aubrey Huff mocked him with two exaggerated fist pumps while he rounded the bases following a three-run homer off the demonstrative righthander May 10.
Adam Jones's one-out liner in the first inning hit Chamberlain just above his right knee. He threw to first to retire the center fielder, took a few shaky steps near the mound, then bent over as manager Joe Girardi and trainer Gene Monahan came out of the dugout.
After a short conference, Chamberlain threw a couple of warm-up pitches and remained in the game. Nick Markakis then singled ahead of Huff and dumped Chamberlain's second pitch into the right-field corner for another single.
That brought Girardi and Monahan out to the mound again and this time Chamberlain walked gingerly toward the dugout. Alfredo Aceves (3-0) then got Melvin Mora to fly out to end the inning.
The Yankees said X-rays on Chamberlain's bruised right knee were negative.
Twins 20, White Sox 1 - Joe Mauer hit a grand slam, two doubles, and drove in a career-high six runs as Minnesota routed host Chicago.
Michael Cuddyer, Joe Crede, and Matt Tolbert also homered as Minnesota ended a six-game losing streak.
Tigers 4, Rangers 3 - Miguel Cabrera hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning and Detroit won its sixth straight game, beating visiting Texas.
Curtis Granderson and Clete Thomas homered for the Tigers. Edwin Jackson (4-2) won his third start in a row and Fernando Rodney earned his eighth save in as many chances.
Rays 6 Athletics 5 - Pinch hitter Ben Zobrist tied the game with a two-run homer in the ninth and Carl Crawford then won it with an RBI single in Tampa Bay's victory in St. Petersburg, Fla.
After Dioner Navarro doubled and B.J. Upton walked against Brad Ziegler (0-1), Crawford lined the winning single to center field.
Indians 8, Royals 3 - Victor Martinez drove in three runs and visiting Cleveland got past Zack Greinke by getting to the Kansas City bullpen.
Greinke's record stayed at 7-1 with his first no-decision in nine starts. He went six innings, allowing a season-high eight hits. His major league-leading ERA crept up to 0.82 from 0.60.
Angels 3, Mariners 0 - Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr., and Howie Kendrick accounted for Los Angeles's first three hits of the game with home runs, and Joe Saunders made the lead stand up for host Seattle.
Diamondbacks 4, Marlins 3 - Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning in Miami Gardens, and Arizona took advantage of Florida's weary bullpen, spent after a doubleheader the night before, to rally to victory.
Rockies 9, Braves 0 - Aaron Cook pitched a four-hit shutout and Todd Helton's grand slam ended Colorado's power slump as the Rockies won in Atlanta.
Cardinals 3, Cubs 1 - Adam Wainwright (4-2) allowed five hits in 8 2/3 innings to come within an out of host St. Louis's second complete game during a three-game sweep of Chicago. Albert Pujols hit a first-inning homer that knocked out the "I" on the Big Mac Land sign in left field.
Nationals 5, Pirates 4 - Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn had RBI singles in the eighth inning, helping host Washington end a seven-game skid.
Brewers 4, Astros 3 - Prince Fielder drove in two with a single and Corey Hart had an RBI double in a three-run seventh, and Milwaukee rallied to win in Houston.
Padres 3, Giants 2 - Scott Hairston singled in the winning run to cap a two-run rally in the ninth inning and give host San Diego the victory over San Francisco. 