MAJOR LEAGUE ROUNDUP Thursday's other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Twins 7, Royals 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Johan Santana struck out 10 in eight innings to get his first victory in the slowest start of his career. The Twins opened up a 5-0 lead in the second inning and Santana (1-3) cruised to his sixth straight decision over the Royals, who haven't beaten the left-hander in almost two years. Santana, who had never started 0-3 before, allowed seven hits and three runs with one walk. The only Kansas City starter who did not strike out at least once was Mark Grudzielanek. In one stretch in the fifth and sixth innings, Santana fanned four straight. Angel Berroa homered in the second for Kansas City. It was the Royals' seventh earned run against the 2004 Cy Young winner in his last seven starts and 471/3 innings against them. Mark Redman (0-1) lasted 12/3 innings in his third start since beginning the season on the disabled list with a knee injury. He was charged with five runs and six hits, with three walks and no strikeouts. In losing two of three to the Twins, the Royals managed only seven runs. In their last eight series against their AL Central rivals, the Twins have won six and tied two. Shannon Stewart, Luis Castillo and Michael Cuddyer each had three hits. Cuddyer also hit his third home run for Minnesota. Berroa's homer was the Royals' first in seven games. With 11 for the year, they still have fewer than any other team in the majors.
Yankees 4, Devil Rays 1
NEW YORK -- Hideki Matsui hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the sixth inning for the Yankees. Shawn Chacon (3-1) allowed four hits and one run in 61/3 innings to get the win. The Yankees bounced back from Wednesday's 4-2, 10-inning loss, in which they walked 14 times -- with none of those runners scoring. This time, they had three walks, and all three runners came around. Mariano Rivera, who allowed a pair of 10th-inning runs Wednesday, got three outs for his third save in four chances. Tampa Bay starter Mark Hendrickson (1-1) allowed four hits and three runs in six innings.
Orioles 7, Blue Jays 5
TORONTO -- Kris Benson worked seven strong innings and Baltimore Orioles beat Toronto to snap a four-game losing streak. Corey Patterson hit a bloop, two-run double in a four-run seventh inning for the Orioles, who salvaged the last game of the three-game series. Benson (3-2) allowed two runs and three hits to get his third win in his last four starts. He struck out four and walked three. LaTroy Hawkins pitched the eighth and Chris Ray allowed three runs in the ninth before retiring Troy Glaus to end the game. Toronto's Casey Janssen (0-1) lost his first major league start.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Rockies 6, Phillies 3
PHILADELPHIA -- Garrett Atkins hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning to help Colorado. Aaron Cook pitched seven strong innings and Brad Hawpe went 3-for-5 with a solo homer for Colorado, which improved to 7-3 on the road. Pat Burrell had a two-run single for the Phillies, who fell to 5-10 at home. Cook (2-3) allowed three runs -- two earned -- and six hits. Ray King and Jose Mesa combined for a scoreless eighth and Brian Fuentes finished for his fourth save, extending his franchise record to 22 straight. Matt Holliday started the eighth inning with a single off Ryan Franklin (1-2). Atkins then hit a 1-2 pitch off the brick batter's eye beyond the center-field wall for his third homer, giving Colorado a 5-3 lead. Atkins also had an RBI single in the ninth. Phillies starter Jon Lieber allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings and failed to win his first game. He's 0-4 with a 7.04 ERA.
Cardinals 6, Nationals 2
ST. LOUIS -- Sidney Ponson won his third straight start and Jim Edmonds hit a three-run homer in the first inning for the Cardinals. Scott Spiezio added a two-run double in the seventh off Gary Majewski after the lead had been shaved to one for St. Louis, which has won seven of eight. The Cardinals are 10-3 at new Busch Stadium, all of the games sellouts. Ponson (3-0) allowed two runs and five hits in 6 2-3 innings. Mike O'Connor (0-1) made his major league debut for the Nationals. He gave up three unearned runs and three hits in five innings. Brian Schneider hit a two-out, two-run double in the seventh for Washington.
Associated Press