Sabathia Returns to Lead the Indians

C.C. Sabathia, activated from the disabled list before the game, made a strong return to lead the Cleveland Indians over the Chicago White Sox, 7-1, on a rainy Tuesday at Cleveland.

“He’s a guy that’s very well respected on the team -- the ace of the staff,” said Travis Hafner, who drove in four runs. “It’s a huge pick-me-up for everybody to have him back on the mound.”

Sabathia’s return came at an opportune time for Cleveland, which ended its three-game losing streak and split the two-game series with Chicago.

“I hope that they felt when I was taking the ball today that we were going to win the game,” Sabathia said. “That’s the type of pitcher I want to be.”

Sabathia (1-0) also helped stop Chicago’s winning streak at four. The White Sox had won eight in a row at Jacobs Field.

The big left-hander gave up one run in five innings and got out of a bases-loaded jam in his first appearance since leaving the April 2 opener against Chicago because of a strained rib cage.

Mark Buehrle (3-2) gave up seven runs and 13 hits with three walks in 5 2/3 innings -- easily his worst outing this season and his second straight loss.

Minnesota 5, Seattle 1 -- Johan Santana was dominant at Minneapolis and the Twin offense produced more than three runs for a change.

Santana gave up one run and six hits and struck out nine in seven innings to help the Twins end a four-game losing streak that featured one lopsided loss after another.

Having been outscored, 41-3, during that skid, and topping three runs once in the previous 10 games, the Twins scraped together enough offense to back Santana (2-3) in this one.

They got six of their eight hits, and all four of their five runs, in the second inning off Jarrod Washburn (2-4), who was very good the rest of the way, retiring 16 in a row at one point, but not good enough in his second straight start against one of the league’s top pitchers.

Detroit 4, Kansas City 1 -- Brandon Inge and Craig Monroe homered and Mike Maroth pitched six strong innings at Detroit as the Tigers won their fifth straight game.

The Tigers are 5-0 on their current homestand, having outscored the Twins and Royals by a combined 40-4.

The final games of the homestand will be against the Angels today and Thursday.

Texas 7, Tampa Bay 5 -- Mark DeRosa hit a two-run homer, one of Texas’ three in the game, and the Rangers won at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Kevin Mench and Brad Wilkerson hit consecutive homers for Texas, which has won nine of 12.

Baltimore 9, Toronto 2 -- Kris Benson took a shutout into the seventh inning, and the Orioles’ struggling bullpen preserved the lead at Baltimore.

New York at Boston -- The game was postponed by rain and will be made up Aug. 18 as part of a doubleheader.