By The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS – The New York Yankees ended their six-game losing streak with a late rally, perhaps putting George Steinbrenner at ease for a while.

Ruben Sierra’s sacrifice fly in the 10th inning sent New York past the Minnesota Twins 4-3 on Saturday night.

Joe Nathan (1-2) walked Hideki Matsui with one out, and Alex Rodriguez singled him to third. Sierra, who struck out with the bases loaded as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, smacked a fly to deep center field – where Torii Hunter caught it but had no other play.

Tom Gordon (1-3) threw two scoreless innings for the victory. Mariano Rivera, who has not allowed a run in his last 11 appearances, picked up his 13th save in 15 opportunities by pitching the 10th.

With a crowd of 45,553 cheering against them – the second-largest at the Metrodome this season – the Yankees (28-27) scored more than three runs for the first time since May 27, the date of their last win.

Steinbrenner, the team’s impatient owner, put the pressure on this weekend for a turnaround, holding a conference call with manager Joe Torre and general manager Brian Cashman and stressing that this $200 million club is letting down New York’s devoted fans.

Jacque Jones hit a three-run homer for the Twins.

Rangers 14, Royals 9

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chan Ho Park earned his 100th major league win, Michael Young got four hits and the Texas Rangers beat Kansas City 14-9 to hand the Royals their first loss under new manager Buddy Bell.

White Sox 6, Indians 5

CHICAGO – Jon Garland got his ninth win on his third try, and Paul Konerko and Joe Crede homered to help the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 6-5.

Mets 5, Giants 1

NEW YORK – Tom Glavine pitched effectively into the eighth inning and the New York Mets defeated San Francisco 5-1, sending the Giants to their eighth straight loss.

Cardinals 11, Astros 9

HOUSTON – Reggie Sanders hit a grand slam and pitcher Jason Marquis added a two-run homer during an eight-run third inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals held off the Houston Astros 11-9.

Braves 1, Pirates 0

PITTSBURGH – Julio Franco’s two-out double in the ninth scored the game’s only run and rookie Kyle Davies shut down the Pirates into the eighth inning, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 1-0 victory over Pittsburgh.

Dominated for eight innings by Mark Redman, the Braves advanced only one runner to second – and that on a strikeout – until the 46-year-old Franco’s double off reliever Mike Gonzalez (0-2) to right scored Brian Jordan, who had reached on a force play.

The RBI was only the eighth for Franco, who was making an infrequent start.