NEW YORK—Derek Jeter had a big hit and made a big play in the field to back Andy Pettitte in New York’s 5-0 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

Jeter had an early go-ahead double off starter Scott Kazmir, and made a stellar play in the seventh that preserved a two-run lead. Pettitte (10-6) allowed four hits without a walk in eight innings.

The Rays, with the best record in majors, lost two straight for the first time since June 10-11.

Kazmir (7-4) gave up five hits and two runs in five innings, striking out nine.

Jeter drove in two with a two-out double in the third. Melky Cabrera hit a solo homer in the eighth off Gary Glover.



Rangers 3, Angels 2

ARLINGTON, Texas—Josh Hamilton’s major league-leading 87th RBI helped Texas Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison win his debut over the Los Angeles Angels.

Harrison was just a little better than All-Star lefty Joe Saunders of the Angels, who was pitching with his wife three days past the due date for their first child.

Hamilton put the Rangers ahead 3-2 with a sixth-inning single that scored Ian Kinsler, who doubled to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 20 games.



Red Sox 6, Twins 5

BOSTON—Manny Ramirez hit a game-tying two-run homer as part of a four-run eighth inning to rally Boston.

Ramirez’s 17th homer came off reliever Matt Guerrier (4-4) and tied the game 5-5.

One out later, Kevin Youkilis doubled and Brandon Moss singled up the middle for the go-ahead run.

David Aardsma (3-2) got the final two outs in the eighth for the win. Jonathan Papelbon escaped trouble in the ninth for his 27th save.

Ramirez drove home Boston’s only run in a 1-0 victory on an RBI single Monday night against Minnesota.

Boston starter Jon Lester allowed five runs and nine hits in 7 1-3 innings.

Nick Blackburn pitched 6 2-3 innings allowing two runs and six hits for Minnesota.

Tigers 9, Indians 2

DETROIT—Miguel Cabrera hit two homers, Marcus Thames had one and Justin Verlander was dominant after a shaky start to lift Detroit.

The Tigers (45-44) lead the majors with 21 wins since June 7.

The defending AL Central-champion Indians (37-52) have dropped nine straight.

Jeremy Sowers (0-5) took recently traded CC Sabathia’s turn in the rotation and gave up seven runs and 10 hits over 5 2-3 innings.

Cabrera capped the four-run third with a two-run homer, one pitch after Thames’ RBI double.

Thames hit his 17th homer, a two-run shot that put Detroit ahead 6-2 in the fifth.

Cabrera hit his second homer in the seventh and Ivan Rodriguez added a solo shot in the inning to give Detroit a 9-2 lead.

Verlander (6-9), who allowed two runs in the first, gave up seven hits and struck out seven in seven innings.



Blue Jays 7, Orioles 6

TORONTO—Toronto’s Alex Rios scored the winning run when shortstop Freddie Bynum misplayed a grounder in the bottom of the ninth.

Rios drew a one-out walk off Jim Johnson (2-3), then stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Ramon Hernandez as Vernon Wells struck out. Matt Stairs was intentionally walked to bring up Scott Rolen, who lined a grounder off Bynum’s glove and into left field, scoring Rios.

Bynum entered the game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the ninth after Jay Payton pinch-hit for Brandon Fahey in the top of the inning.

Blue Jays starter Dustin McGowan left after four innings with a sore right shoulder and will have an MRI on Wednesday. He allowed four runs, two earned, and four hits.

B.J. Ryan (2-3) worked a perfect ninth after Toronto rallied from a 6-2 deficit on Rios’ bases loaded triple and Wells’ game-tying single.