By the Associated Press

NEW YORK -When it counted, two quiet Yankees silenced all the pregame hype about the Boone brothers and a swap of relievers.

Nick Johnson hit a grand slam an inning after David Dellucci made a diving catch with the bases loaded as New York rallied to beat the Seattle Mariners 9-7 on Friday night in a matchup of the teams with the best records in the American League.

Hideki Matsui homered for the East-leading Yankees, who won their fifth of seven matchups with the West-leading Mariners this season and increased their AL East lead over Boston to four games.

Jeff Nelson came on to pitch the eighth inning and face the Mariners for the first time since being traded back to New York for Armando Benitez on Wednesday. Nelson struck out the side, punctuating his final out by pumping his fist and leaping off the mound.

Rangers 5, Blue Jays 3

TORONTO – Hank Blalock, Mark Teixeira and Laynce Nix homered in the first inning and the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3.

Blalock hit his 20th homer, Teixeira hit a two-run shot and Laynce Nix also had a two-run homer off Corey Thurman (1-1)

The three home runs in an inning tied a club record, done 23 times previously.

Twins 4, Tigers 3

DETROIT – Johan Santana allowed two hits in eight innings, and Matthew LeCroy homered as the Minnesota Twins hung on and beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3.

Santana (6-3) gave up just one unearned run, struck out five and walked three in Minnesota’s 18th win in its last 19 against Detroit.

Angels 5, Indians 2

CLEVELAND – Garret Anderson hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, ending rookie Jason Davis’ shutout bid and leading the Anaheim Angels to a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians.

The Angels snapped a five-game losing streak and won for just the third time in 14 games.

Devil Rays 4, Royals 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Jeremi Gonzalez scattered three hits in eight innings and Tampa Bay spoiled Kevin Appier’s first start since rejoining Kansas City as the Devil Rays beat the slumping Royals 4-0.

White Sox 3, Athletics 2

CHICAGO – Mark Buehrle pitched a five-hitter for his second complete game this season and 11th of his career as the Chicago White Sox edged the Oakland Athletics 3-2.

Buehrle (10-11) allowed two runs and struck out six.

Buehrle, in his first complete game since June 26 at Minnesota, retired 17 of his last 19 batters.

Magglio Ordonez went 3-for-4 with home run for the White Sox, who improved to a major league-best 16-5 since the All-Star break. Chicago has won 16 of its last 20.