Contreras Dominates Mariners

Jose Contreras won his 13th consecutive decision dating to last season and Jim Thome hit a three-run homer in the first inning to lead the Chicago White Sox past the Seattle Mariners, 4-1, Thursday at Chicago.

“Jose is on a roll right now,” White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He challenged people with his fastball. When Jose throws strikes, he is what he is.”

He is the American League’s first five-game winner. He has a 1.41 earned-run average.

Contreras (5-0) said he was fighting a cold and didn’t feel ready when he warmed up before the game.

“If I pitch like that every time, I hope to be sick in every start,” he said through an interpreter.

Contreras, who gave up four hits, pitched effectively into the eighth and improved to 16-2 since the All-Star break last year.

The White Sox swept the two-game series and won their 10th consecutive home game, tying a franchise record. They have won 19 of 23 overall, becoming the first team in the majors to reach 20 wins.

Oakland 12, Cleveland 4 -- The A’s scored five times in the first inning, splitting a two-game series with the Indians at Oakland.

Nick Swisher drove in three runs with two doubles, Eric Chavez drove in three runs with a single, a double and a sacrifice fly, and Adam Melhuse hit a two-run double in the first inning.

The A’s big day on offense helped fill-in starter Kirk Saarloos to his first win of the season in his first 2006 outing as part of the rotation.

New York 10, Tampa Bay 5 -- Randy Johnson became the third pitcher in major league history with 4,400 strikeouts and Johnny Damon hit a grand slam, leading the visiting Yankees over the Devil Rays.

Damon hit his fifth grand slam in the eighth inning after the Yankees filled the bases against Dan Miceli on an error and two walks.

Johnson (5-2) became the third pitcher to reach the 4,400-strikeout plateau when he fanned Nick Green in the fourth inning. He trails Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Roger Clemens (4,502) on the career list.

The left-hander gave up five runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, including Ty Wigginton’s two-run homer that gave Tampa Bay a 5-4 lead in the fifth.

Boston 7, Toronto 4 -- Matt Clement (3-2) held the Blue Jays to two hits over six innings at Boston and did not allow a runner past first base until there were two out in the sixth. That’s when Lyle Overbay doubled to score Troy Glaus. In all, he yielded one run and walked four.

Rudy Seanez gave up Glaus’ two-run homer in the eighth. Julian Tavarez gave up a solo homer to Eric Hinske and a single to Aaron Hill in the ninth before being relieved by Jonathan Papelbon, who got two out for his 11th save in 11 chances.

Texas 8, Baltimore 2 -- Kevin Millwood (3-2) pitched a four-hitter at Arlington, Texas, for the Rangers’ first complete game this season, and they won their sixth in a row. Millwood, who struck out one and walked two, threw 69 of his 99 pitches for strikes.

Kansas City 1, Minnesota 0 -- Backup catcher Paul Bako’s second-inning RBI single helped the Royals end a 13-game road losing streak. The Royals (6-20) were beaten in their last road game of 2005 and their first 12 away from home this season.