AROUND THE HORN | Wednesday's other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Devil Rays 5, Yankees 3
NEW YORK -- Nick Green hit a go-ahead, three-run homer and Scott Kazmir pitched seven solid innings as Tampa Bay rebounded from an embarrassing defeat. Less than 18 hours after allowing 13 runs in the eighth inning of a 20-11 loss, the last-place Devil Rays improved to 6-3 against the Yankees, who got another home run from Gary Sheffield but little else. Jonny Gomes hit a two-run shot for Tampa Bay. The 21-year-old Kazmir (3-5) allowed four hits in seven innings, matching the longest outing of his brief career.
White Sox 5, Royals 1
CHICAGO -- Mark Buehrle won his career-high eighth straight decision, and Carl Everett backed him with a three-run homer to lead Chicago to its seventh straight victory. Buehrle (9-1) allowed five hits, his scoreless streak ending at 251/3 innings when the Royals scored an unearned run in the eighth. He walked one and struck out six in eight innings. Everett had two hits, and two of Paul Konerko's three hits were doubles. J.P. Howell (1-2) allowed five runs and seven hits in his third major league start for the Royals, who were swept in the three-game series.
Tigers 8, Twins 1
MINNEAPOLIS -- Nate Robertson pitched Detroit's second complete game in a row and Omar Infante had a home run and three RBIs to lead Detroit. The Tigers roughed up Twins starter Joe Mays (3-3), scoring six runs on eight hits in just four innings, snapping Mays' eight-game winning streak against Detroit and extending the Twins' losing streak to a season-high four games. Robertson (3-5) scattered five hits and struck out six to win for the first time since May 27, a span of five starts. The Tigers, who have been energized since acquiring Placido Polanco in a trade with Philadelphia, have now won four in a row and seven of eight, including Jeremy Bonderman's complete-game win over the Twins on Tuesday night.
Blue Jays 3, Orioles 2
TORONTO -- Pete Walker won as a starter for the first time since 2002, leading Toronto over Baltimore. Baltimore's Rafael Palmeiro hit his 561st career homer, two from tying Reggie Jackson for ninth on the all-time list. Palmeiro is also 17 hits shy of 3000. Walker (3-0) pitched in Japan last year and was working out of the bullpen this season before being inserted into the rotation because David Bush and Chad Gaudin were struggling. Walker allowed two runs on five hits in 5 1-3 innings for his first win as a starter since Sept. 27, 2002, against Detroit. He struck out three and walked none. Miguel Batista pitched 12/3 innings for his 13th save in 14th chances. Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora missed the game with a strained right hamstring and is listed as day to day. Daniel Cabrera (5-7) lost his third straight start, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked three.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Reds 7, Cardinals 6
CINCINNATI -- Adam Dunn led off two straight innings with home runs and Cincinnati overpowered slumping Mark Mulder. Dunn moved into a tie for the NL lead with his 19th and 20th home runs to help the Reds improve to 2-0 under interim manager Jerry Narron. Reds starter Ramon Ortiz (3-5) didn't allow a hit in his first career appearance against St. Louis until Mark Grudzielanek led off the fifth with his seventh home run of the season. Ortiz gave up five hits and three runs in seven innings for his second win in his last three starts. David Weathers pitched 12/3 innings of relief before Kent Mercker struck out Jim Edmonds for the final out in the ninth for his first save in three tries. Mulder (8-5), who is 1-4 in his last five starts after going 7-0 in his previous eight, allowed season highs of 12 hits and seven runs in four innings.
Astros 6, Rockies 2
HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens pitched seven innings for his 334th win and Morgan Ensberg hit a three-run homer. Clemens (6-3) allowed two runs and five hits, struck out four and walked two, lowering his major league-leading ERA to 1.51. Ensberg hit the go-ahead homer in the third. The Astros scored three more runs in the seventh with the help of some terrible Colorado defense, and John Franco and Russ Springer combined to pitch two scoreless innings for Houston's fifth win in six games. The Astros got their fourth sweep of the year against the last-place Rockies, who have lost five straight and eight of nine. Jason Jennings (4-8) allowed six runs and five hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Braves 8, Marlins 0
ATLANTA -- Andruw Jones hit his NL-leading 21st homer, a two-run shot, and Atlanta starter Horacio Ramirez (6-4) pitched five shutout innings before leaving with a strained groin. Adam LaRoche added a homer, his eighth, in the sixth and rookie Kelly Johnson had three hits as Atlanta won for the fifth time in the last six games. Florida has lost four of its last five games to fall to .500 (34-34) for the first time since they were 6-6. Brian Moehler (2-5) gave up six hits and four runs while walking four in five innings.
Phillies 8, Mets 4
PHILADELPHIA -- Chase Utley had a go-ahead RBI single in a six-run seventh inning, Jim Thome homered and Kenny Lofton had a three-run double for Philadelphia. Cliff Floyd and Mike Piazza homered for the Mets. Ryan Madson (4-2) gave up a run in one inning for the win, and Royce Ring (0-2) was the loser. Mets reliever Aaron Heilman was charged with five runs while recording just one out.
Associated Press