CHICAGO – Jim Thome hit a two-run homer to break open a pitcher’s duel and Mark Buehrle was dominant into the seventh inning, leading the White Sox to the victory.

Carlos Quentin singled off Nick Blackburn in the sixth before Thome hit his second homer of the season, snapping a 1-1 tie.

Jermaine Dye added a homer in the eighth for the White Sox, who scored in each of the last four innings to split a season-opening six-game homestand. Chicago, which outscored the Twins 14-1 the last two games, now heads on a 10-game road trip.

Buehrle (1-0) gave up Delmon Young’s homer in the second and then retired 15 straight batters before being pulled with one out in the seventh.

Blackburn (0-1) allowed four runs – three earned – and six hits in six-plus innings.

Indians 8, Blue Jays 4

CLEVELAND – Anthony Reyes pitched six innings and the Indians earned their first victory of the season.

Travis Hafner and Mark DeRosa each hit a two-run homer for the Indians, who avoided their worst start in 95 years. Cleveland lost its first six games in 1914.

The Washington Nationals are the majors’ only remaining winless team at 0-6.

Blue Jays starter David Purcey struck out 10 over 4 2-3 innings. The left-hander also walked six and allowed five runs and four hits.

Vernon Wells hit a two-run homer for Toronto.

Reyes became the first Indians starter to pitch six innings. The Blue Jays had scored a major league-high 42 runs in winning five of their first six games, but managed only four runs and three hits against the right-hander.

Rays 11, Orioles 3

BALTIMORE – James Shields pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Evan Longoria hit his major league-leading fifth home run and Tampa Bay averted a three-game sweep.

Longoria went 3-for-5 to up his batting average to .481. He has five straight multihit games and at least one RBI in five of his six starts.

Ben Zobrist, Jason Bartlett and Carlos Pena also homered for the Rays, who got 17 hits. All four home runs came off Brian Bass, who allowed seven runs in 3 1-3 innings of relief.

Shields (1-1) struck out three and walked one. Dan Wheeler allowed one hit in the eighth before Grant Balfour was tagged for three runs in the ninth.

Adam Eaton (0-1) allowed four runs and eight hits over four innings in his debut with Baltimore.

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Mariners 1, Athletics 0

OAKLAND, Calif. – Erik Bedard allowed three hits pitching into the ninth inning and Mike Sweeney doubled in a run in the seventh for Seattle.

Bedard (1-0) was within two outs of his second career shutout when he was lifted for David Aardsma, who struck out Jason Giambi and got Jack Cust to line out with a pair of runners aboard for his second save.

Trevor Cahill (0-1) retired 11 consecutive batters before Adrian Beltre singled up the middle with one out in the seventh, breaking up the rookie’s bid for a no-hitter. After Russell Branyan flew out, Sweeney drove in the game’s only run with a double to center.

Royals 6, Yankees 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo. John Buck homered and drove in three runs, helping Kansas City rally to avoid a three-game sweep.

The Royals scored three runs with two outs in the eighth inning off Jose Veras and Phil Coke (0-1), spoiling a solid start by Joba Chamberlain in his season debut.

Joakim Soria earned his third save by striking out the side in the ninth. Juan Cruz (1-0) worked a perfect eighth for the win, helped by a diving catch in right field from Willie Bloomquist.

Chamberlain held the Royals to three runs – two earned – and four hits in six innings. He struck out five, walked one and hit two batters with pitches.

Gil Meche went seven innings for the Royals, allowing four runs and six hits.

Tigers 6, Rangers 4

DETROIT – Brandon Inge homered and hit a two-run single in a six-run eighth inning as the Tigers rallied to complete a three-game sweep.

Carlos Guillen also had a two-run double for Detroit, which trailed 4-0 after seven innings. Placido Polanco went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Miguel Cabrera had two hits.

Brandon Lyon (1-1) threw two perfect innings and Fernando Rodney got three outs for his second save in as many days. Detroit relievers have pitched seven innings in the last two games without allowing a baserunner.

Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler hit two-run homers for Texas, which wasted a terrific start by Kevin Millwood. The right-hander threw seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out six. C.J. Wilson (0-1) got the loss.


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