Yankees Beat Devil Rays on the Double

Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui each hit two-run doubles, and Jon Lieber (11-8) struck out a season-high nine to lead the New York Yankees past the slumping Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 11-2, Tuesday night at New York.

Gary Sheffield had four hits and Bernie Williams homered for the Yankees, who won their third consecutive game. Rocco Baldelli hit a two-run homer in the first inning for Tampa Bay, which lost its ninth in a row.

Leadoff hitter Derek Jeter had three of the Yankees’ 16 hits, including a two-run single. Rodriguez, moved up to the No. 2 spot Monday for the first time since 1999, had three runs batted in.

“I like it a lot,” Manager Joe Torre said. “It looks like Alex is relaxed there, very comfortable, very aggressive.”

Boston 7, Oakland 1 -- Johnny Damon hit a leadoff homer at Oakland in his return to the Boston lineup after sitting out four games because of a jammed finger.

Derek Lowe (14-10) won his fifth consecutive decision, and Gabe Kapler hit a two-run homer for the Red Sox, who stayed 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees in the American League East. The Red Sox lead the AL wild-card race and have won 13 of 14.

Minnesota 3, Baltimore 1 -- Mike Cuddyer ended a tie with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning.

The Twins tied the score in the eighth inning and got to Jorge Julio (2-4) in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Jason Kubel drew a one-out walk, and after Cristian Guzman hit a fly ball, Cuddyer homered on a 1-and-0 pitch.

J.C. Romero (7-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for the Twins, extending his club-record run of shutout innings to 34.

Texas 10, Chicago 3 -- Kenny Rogers gave up three runs in seven innings, and David Dellucci keyed a seven-run second inning with a three-run double at Arlington, Texas.

Rogers (16-7) is one victory shy of matching the best season of his 16-year career -- 17-7 for the Rangers in 1995.

Kansas City 6, Detroit 2 -- Dee Brown homered twice and drove in four runs at Detroit.

Jimmy Serrano (1-1) earned his first major league victory with three scoreless innings of relief.