Hot Yankees rise to the top

Girardi lifted Pettitte (5-1) with a three-run lead in the sixth inning to keep the lefthander from further straining his lower back and the Yankees moved into first place in the division with a 3-1 win last night in Cleveland.

"Andy didn't want to come out, but I was thinking long term and said, 'That's enough,' " Girardi said after New York snapped the Indians' season-high winning streak at four games.

The Yankees, who took a half-game lead the Red Sox, have won 13 of 17 since May 13 and have sole possession of first place for the first time since the final day of the 2006 season.

"It's better than not being in first place," Girardi said.

Jorge Posada had two hits in his return to the Yankees' lineup. The catcher missed 22 games with a strained right hamstring.

Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances. It was the 58th time he saved a win for Pettitte - the most for a pitching combo since the save became an official stat in 1969, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Dennis Eckersley saved 57 wins by Bob Welch for Oakland.

Pettitte allowed six hits before leaving with two runners on and none out in the sixth.

Girardi and assistant trainer Steve Donahue went to the mound after Pettitte went to a 2-and-0 count on Jamey Carroll. After a short discussion, Pettitte jogged to the dugout and was replaced by Alfredo Aceves.

"I'm OK," said Pettitte. "I strained it in Texas earlier this week, then slipped a few times on the wet mound tonight . . . Joe made the right decision."

Indians starter Cliff Lee (2-6) allowed three runs and nine hits.

Orioles 7, Tigers 2 - Luke Scott extended his recent power surge with a grand slam and a solo shot off Dontrelle Willis, and surging Baltimore received a fine pitching performance from rookie Brad Bergesen in its victory over visiting Detroit.

Many in the crowd of 42,704 came to see the major league debut of Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters, who went 0 for 4. That might have been the only negative for the Orioles, who stretched their season-high winning streak to five games behind Scott and Bergesen (2-2).

Scott's second consecutive two-homer game included his first career grand slam, a third-inning shot that put Baltimore up, 5-0.

Rangers sweep Athletics, 6-3, 5-2 - Andruw Jones hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning to give host Texas a win in the afternoon, and Scott Feldman (4-0) worked six solid innings in the nightcap as the Rangers swept Oakland.

Astros 6, Pirates 1 - Brian Moehler pitched his first complete game in nearly nine years and rookie Edwin Maysonet homered while going 4 for 4 and driving in four runs, helping visiting Houston end a seven-game losing streak.

Brewers 3, Reds 2 - Corey Hart and Prince Fielder homered and Braden Looper (5-3) outpitched Johnny Cueto to lead Milwaukee over visiting Cincinnati, snapping the Reds' four-game winning streak.

Rays 5, Twins 3 - Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford homered, helping Tampa Bay end a season-high five-game losing streak with a win over Minnesota in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Rockies 3, Padres 0 - Jason Marquis pitched eight sharp innings for host Colorado, making Jim Tracy's debut as manager a success as the Rockies broke a three-game skid.

Braves 10, Diamondbacks 6 - Yunel Escobar hit a three-run homer for Atlanta and Jair Jurrjens (5-2) supported his own cause with a two-run double in Phoenix.

Cubs 2, Dodgers 1 - Koyie Hill homered and Kosuke Fukudome hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, rallying host Chicago over Los Angeles.

Mariners 5, Angels 2 - Jason Vargas (2-0) worked 6 1/3 impressive innings for visiting Seattle to get the better of Los Angeles ace John Lackey (1-1).

Mets 2, Marlins 1 - Omir Santos hit a game-ending single in the 11th inning and also homered in the fifth to lead New York over Florida.

White Sox 11, Royals 2 - Jermaine Dye's first-inning homer ignited a 17-hit attack as visiting Chicago trounced reeling Kansas City.

Giants 4, Cardinals 2 - Matt Cain (6-1) pitched six-hit ball into the seventh inning to propel San Francisco past visiting St. Louis.

Phillies 5, Nationals 4 - Host Philadelphia tied a season high with 16 hits, including four by Shane Victorino.