Sabathia was dominant again at home for seven innings, helping offset the loss of A-Rod to a left calf strain, and Nick Swisher had a two-run single in a 6-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

“CC knows how to shut the door,’’ Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “When he needs to make an adjustment he’s able to do it.’’

New York is tied for first place in the AL East with Tampa Bay, a 10-1 winner over Texas.

Rodriguez hurt his calf Monday and left the Yankees’ loss to Detroit after four innings. He had an MRI yesterday and it showed a low-grade strain. He is day to day.

Curtis Granderson homered against his former team and Robinson Cano connected from the cleanup spot for New York.

Sabathia (16-5) became the AL’s first 16-game winner and improved to 14-0 in his last 19 regular-season starts at home.

Rays 10, Rangers 1 — Matt Garza scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings for his first win since throwing a no-hitter late last month, and host Tampa Bay gave manager Joe Maddon his 400th career win. Garza (12-7) went 0-2 in three starts after throwing the Rays’ first no-hitter in a 5-0 victory over Detroit July 26.

Padres 1, Cubs 0 — Jon Garland (12-8) pitched seven innings and Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in the game’s only run in the first inning as NL West-leading San Diego won for the eighth time in nine games and moved five games ahead of second-place San Francisco.

Phillies 9, Giants 3 — Roy Oswalt pitched seven sharp innings, Placido Polanco had four hits, and host Philadelphia took a one-game lead over San Francisco in the NL wild-card race. All-Star second baseman Chase Utley went 0 for 5 in his return to Philadelphia’s lineup after having thumb surgery July 1.

Reds 6, Diamondbacks 2 — Paul Janish hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning and Bronson Arroyo (13-7) overcame Kelly Johnson’s early two-run homer to pitch into the eighth, helping Cincinnati open a crucial 12-game road trip with a win.

Brewers 3, Cardinals 2 — Dave Bush pitched six stingy innings to bounce back from a start in which he gave up four consecutive home runs, and Casey McGehee hit a two-run homer to lead visiting Milwaukee.

Braves 10, Nationals 2 — Little-used Diory Hernandez sparked Atlanta with a pinch-hit homer, All-Star Martin Prado returned from the disabled list with three hits, and Mike Minor claimed his first big league win to spark host Atlanta to its sixth win in seven games.

Dodgers 6, Rockies 0 — Lefthander Clayton Kershaw pitched seven strong innings and Scott Podsednik and James Loney had two-run doubles during a five-run fifth to lift host Los Angeles.

Athletics 6, Blue Jays 2 — Dallas Braden pitched three-hit ball for seven innings as host Oakland ended a four-game losing streak.

Marlins 6, Pirates 0 — Ricky Nolasco (14-8) pitched six shutout innings for the second consecutive start and visiting Florida snapped a four-game losing streak.

Astros 4, Mets 3 — Hunter Pence had a three-run homer in the first inning and his go-ahead solo shot in the eighth inning propelled host Houston.

Mariners 4, Orioles 0 — Luke French took a one-hitter into the eighth inning, substitute starter Matt Tuiasosopo homered and drove in four runs, and visiting Seattle cruised to victory.

Royals 2, Indians 1 — Zack Greinke (8-11) pitched six strong innings and Wilson Betemit and Yuniesky Betancourt homered to lift host Kansas City.