Garza outduels Wakefield

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Matt Garza pitched seven strong innings in his first outing since throwing a one-hitter, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston and nemesis Tim Wakefield 3-1 on Tuesday night.

The win extended their lead in the AL East to 2 1/2 games over the second-place Red Sox.

Garza (7-4) allowed an unearned run and five hits, and Dioner Navarro snapped a fourth-inning tie with an RBI single off Wakefield (5-6), whose 19 career victories against Tampa Bay — nine at Tropicana Field — are the most by an opposing pitcher.

The Rays have won seven of eight, improving the best record in the major leagues to 51-32.

RANGERS 3, YANKEES 2: At New York, Michael Young had an RBI single off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning to help give Texas its second straight win over New York. Rivera (2-3) came on in the ninth after the New York bullpen held Texas to one hit in four innings in relief of Joba Chamberlain and proceeded to give up hits to the first two batters he faced. Ian Kinsler doubled to left, stole third — his third steal of the game — and scored to give Texas a 3-2 lead on Young's hit through a drawn-in infield to give the Yankees their third straight loss.

ORIOLES 7, ROYALS 5: At Baltimore, Brian Roberts homered, Ramon Hernandez and Adam Jones had two RBIs apiece, and Baltimore rebounded from two straight frustrating losses by beating Kansas City. Aubrey Huff had two hits and drove in a run for the Orioles. Gordon and Mark Teahan homered for the Royals, whose six-game road winning streak ended.

WHITE SOX 3, INDIANS 2 (10): At Chicago, Alexei Ramirez tied it with a two-out homer and Orlando Cabrera won it with an RBI single, both in the 10th inning, and Chicago rallied for its sixth straight win, beating Cleveland.

TWINS 6, TIGERS 4: At Minneapolis, Craig Monroe hit a three-run homer and Justin Morneau added three hits to help Minnesota beat Detroit. Mike Redmond had two RBIs for Minnesota, which has won eight of 10 and 12 of its last 14.

ANGELS 5, ATHLETICS 3: At Anaheim, Vladimir Guerrero triggered a three-run rally in the eighth inning with an RBI single and Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer, helping Los Angeles beat Oakland.