Cycle gets Yankees rolling

“Definitely a day to remember,’’ Alex Rodriguez said.

Cabrera became the 15th Yankees player and their first in 14 years to hit for the cycle, leading New York to an 8-5 victory over the White Sox in Chicago yesterday.

Cabrera hit a three-run homer in the second, staking the Yankees to a 3-0 lead, doubled in the fourth, and chased Mark Buehrle (11-5) with an RBI single in the fifth. He then tripled to right leading off the ninth against Scott Linebrink, driving the ball over Jermaine Dye’s head and drawing a loud roar from a crowd that had showered Buehrle with cheers before his first start at home since his perfect game.

The four hits by Cabrera also tied a career high and lifted the Yankees to a much-needed win after a 14-4 pounding the previous day left them just a half-game ahead of the Red Sox in the AL East.

Buehrle was far from perfect in his first start at home since the perfect game against Tampa Bay July 23. He allowed seven runs and 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Royals 4, Rays 1 - John Buck ended James Shields’s bid for a no-hitter with a leadoff single in the eighth inning, Mitch Maier drove in three runs, and Kansas City rallied to beat host Tampa Bay.

Brian Bannister (7-7) gave up five hits and struck out seven over seven scoreless innings for the Royals, who won for the first time in nine games against the Rays.

Angels 13, Twins 4 - Kendry Morales homered twice and had a career-high six RBIs, helping Los Angeles complete a three-game sweep in Minneapolis.

Jered Weaver (11-3) struck out a career-high 11 in 6 1/3 innings for the Angels (63-40), who have the best record in the American League and have won 13 of their last 15 games.

Giants 7, Phillies 3 - Freddy Sanchez had two hits and two RBIs, and Barry Zito went six innings, giving up three runs with five strikeouts and no walks as host San Francisco beat the NL East-leading Phillies.

Astros 2, Cardinals 0 - In his first major league start, Bud Norris took a no-hitter into the sixth inning - pitcher Adam Wainwright broke it up with a leadoff single - and went seven sharp innings to earn the victory for visiting Houston.

Marlins 3, Cubs 2 - Dan Uggla and Cody Ross hit back-to-back solo home runs in the ninth, giving Florida a dramatic win over Chicago in Miami.

Rockies 6, Reds 4 - Dexter Fowler hit a two-out RBI triple in the 11th inning and Garrett Atkins added a pinch-hit infield single to help Colorado win its fourth straight and earn its first victory in five extra-inning games this season, all on the road.

Diamondbacks 5, Mets 2 - Jon Garland pitched his 10th career complete game - first since July 6, 2008 - and Chad Tracy hit a two-run double, leading Arizona to victory in New York.

Nationals 5, Pirates 3 - Josh Willingham hit a two-run homer during a three-run seventh inning, and Ryan Zimmerman had two hits and two runs as visiting Washington snapped a four-game losing streak.

Indians 11, Tigers 1 - Carl Pavano tossed eight sharp innings, and Asdrubal Cabrera and Grady Sizemore each hit a two-run homers as Cleveland launched a 13-hit attack to rout visiting Detroit and claim its seventh victory in 10 games.

Blue Jays 7, Athletics 2 - Aaron Hill hit a two-run homer and Toronto scored five runs off Vin Mazzaro before making an out in beating host Oakland.

Brewers 6, Padres 1 - Felipe Lopez hit a three-run double that highlighted a five-run seventh inning to help visiting Milwaukee snap San Diego’s five-game winning streak.

Rangers 4, Mariners 2 - Jarrod Saltalamachia broke a tie with a two-run homer in the seventh, Scott Feldman (10-4) pitched seven strong innings, and Texas held off visiting Seattle.

Dodgers 9, Braves 1 - Matt Kemp homered, had three hits, and matched a career high with five RBIs to lead Los Angeles past host Atlanta.