CHICAGO – Carlos Pena’s two-run single capped a four-run eighth inning, and the surging Tampa Bay Rays increased their AL East lead Saturday by rallying for a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Pena’s bases-loaded single off Matt Thornton broke a 3-all tie and sent Tampa Bay to its 11th win in 14 games. The surprising Rays, who keep winning despite injuries to Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and Troy Percival, moved 51/2 games ahead of second-place Boston.

Yankees 5, Orioles 3

BALTIMORE – Pitching in the major leagues for the first time since April 2007, Carl Pavano (1-0) allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings for New York. The right-hander walked one, hit two batters and struck out five in his 91-pitch effort.

It was Pavano’s 20th start with the Yankees since signing a four-year, $39.95 million contract before the 2005 season.

Tigers 4, Royals 0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Zach Miner pitched three-hit ball for seven innings, Miguel Cabrera hit his third homer in two games to reach 100 RBIs and the Detroit handed the Royals their seventh straight loss.

Phillies 9, Dodgers 2

PHILADELPHIA – Pat Burrell homered and matched his career high with five RBIs, and Cole Hamels pitched effectively with some overdue run support to lead the Philadelphia Phillies past the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-2 Saturday.

Burrell put the Phillies ahead with his 30th homer, a three-run shot down the left-field line in the first inning.

He got a gift RBI double in the fifth when Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp lost a routine fly in the sun, then capped his big day with an RBI single in the sixth.

Cubs 9, Nationals 2

CHICAGO – Aramis Ramirez hit a pair of three-run homers and Ryan Dempster matched a career high with his 15th win for the Cubs.

Mark DeRosa homered in his third straight game and Alfonso Soriano added an RBI double for the Cubs, who improved to 48-19 at Wrigley Field. Dempster (15-5) allowed one run in 7 1-3 innings.

Giants 4, Padres 3

SAN FRANCISCO – Rich Aurilia tripled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Barry Zito (8-15) allowed four hits in eight innings to help the Giants match their season-best four-game winning streak.

It was Zito’s second straight victory and only his third win at home in 13 decisions. He gave up three runs, walked three and struck out five as the Giants won four straight for the first time since June 6-9.

Braves 8, Cardinals 4

ST. LOUIS – Pinch-hitter Greg Norton delivered a tiebreaking single with two outs in the eighth inning, and Atlanta beat St. Louis to snap a six-game losing streak.

Albert Pujols homered and drove in three runs for the Cardinals.

Brewers 6, Pirates 3

MILWAUKEE – Ryan Braun homered, doubled and drove in three runs, leading Jeff Suppan and the Milwaukee Brewers past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 Saturday night for their third straight victory.

Astros 8, Mets 3

NEW YORK – Lance Berkman hit a three-run homer, Brandon Backe brought his best stuff to the mound and the Houston Astros roughed up John Maine early in their 8-3 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday night.

Berkman finished with three hits and drove in four runs, finally figuring out the Mets in his fifth try against them this season. He’d been 2-for-15 and hadn’t driven in a run, leaving three stranded in New York’s 3-0 win Friday night.