Jeter Gives Yankees a Quick Charge

Derek Jeter got slumping New York off to a quick start Tuesday night, hitting a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first inning to send the Yankees to an 11-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox that ended a five-game skid.

“We needed it,” Jeter said. “We’ve been playing terribly. It feels good while it lasts. The intensity level was good today. We have to carry it over until tomorrow.”

It was the 10th leadoff homer for Jeter, whose bunt single led to a six-run eighth.

“You look for a lift from him,” Manager Joe Torre said. “He’s a guy since I’ve been here that has a way of lifting a ballclub and doing some things.”

Left-hander Andy Pettitte (5-5) ended a four-start losing streak, and Robin Ventura and Todd Zeile also homered for the Yankees, who pulled to within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Red Sox in the American League East.

Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra was hitless in four at-bats, ending his hitting streak at 26 games, tops in the major leagues this season.

Minnesota 4, Oakland 3 -- Pinch-hitter Bobby Kielty’s three-run homer in the eighth inning lifted the Twins at Minneapolis.

Barry Zito (6-4) breezed through the first seven innings, holding the Twins to one hit -- Corey Koskie’s homer in the fourth -- and striking out 10.

Seattle 15, Kansas City 7 -- Edgar Martinez homered twice and drove in five runs, and Randy Winn got a career-high five hits for the Mariners at Kansas City, Mo.

It was the 21st multihomer game of Martinez’s career and first this season.

Texas 4, Tampa Bay 2 -- Rafael Palmeiro hit his 503rd homer and Mark Teixeira and Juan Gonzalez also homered for the Rangers at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Palmeiro pulled to within one home run of Hall of Famer Eddie Murray for 18th place all-time.

Cleveland 5, Detroit 2 -- Omar Vizquel stole home with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning, scoring the go-ahead run for the Indians.

It was Cleveland’s first straight steal of home since Vizquel did it Sept. 20, 2000, at Boston.

Toronto 5, Chicago 1 -- Roy Halladay (6-2) won his sixth consecutive start by pitching his first complete game this season at Toronto, and the Blue Jays won their sixth in a row.

Carlos Delgado had three hits for the Blue Jays, who tied a franchise record with their 19th victory in May.