MLB ROUNDUP \ Sunday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Blue Jays 5, Tigers 3

TORONTO — David Eckstein hit a three-run homer, supplying some of the power Toronto might miss without Frank Thomas. A.J. Burnett (2-1) issued a season-high six walks in five innings but still managed to win for the first time in four starts. He allowed three runs and four hits. Toronto released Thomas before the game, one day after the slumping designated hitter became angry for being taken out of the lineup. The move leaves the Blue Jays on the hook for the remainder of the $18 million, two-year contract the 39-year-old Thomas signed in November 2006. Nate Robertson (0-2) remained winless, giving up five runs and eight hits in five innings for Detroit.

Red Sox 6, Rangers 5

BOSTON — Sean Casey’s bases-loaded walk capped a four-run eighth inning and Boston won for the eighth time in nine games. The Red Sox overcame a 5-0 deficit. Manny Ramirez was ejected early in the game for arguing a called third strike. Ian Kinsler led off the game with a home run for Texas. Milton Bradley had a three-run homer off Tim Wakefield (2-0) in the sixth. Boston closed to 5-2 in the seventh against starter Kevin Millwood on RBI singles by David Ortiz and J.D. Drew.

Yankees 7, Orioles 1

BALTIMORE — Alex Rodriguez hit an RBI double and scored before leaving with a leg injury, and New York ended a three-game losing streak. Andy Pettitte (3-1) pitched seven scoreless innings, Johnny Damon homered and Derek Jeter had a three-run double as the Yankees avoided their first three-game sweep in Baltimore since 2005. New York dodged its first four-game skid since last July. Rodriguez strained his right quadriceps while running out a grounder in the sixth inning. The All-Star third baseman was listed as day to day.

White Sox 6, Rays 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jim Thome hit career homer No. 512 and John Danks struck out eight in seven innings for Chicago. Thome also tied a career high with four hits. His second homer in the last three games tied him with Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews for 19th place on the all-time list. Danks (2-1) allowed three singles for the White Sox, who have won 11 of their last 16 games. The left-hander has not given up a run in two straight starts, totaling 142‚Ñ3 innings. It’s the first time he has won back-to-back starts since last July. Boone Logan pitched the final two innings for Chicago to complete a four-hitter. Edwin Jackson (2-2) gave up six runs and seven hits in 41‚Ñ3 innings for Tampa Bay.

Mariners 4, Angels 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Miguel Batista scattered eight hits over 72‚Ñ3 scoreless innings and Richie Sexson hit a two-run homer as Seattle avoided a three-game sweep. Batista (2-2) struck out eight and walking one while lowering his ERA from 6.35 to 4.38. The 37-year-old right-hander did not allow a runner past second base, and six of the hits he gave up came with two out.

Athletics 7, Royals 1

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland battered rookie phenom Luke Hochevar just as it did Kansas City’s experienced starters the previous two days. Jack Hannahan’s two-run double highlighted a five-run fourth inning, Dana Eveland won for the first time in three starts and the Athletics completed a three-game sweep of the Royals.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves 6, Dodgers 1

ATLANTA — Jair Jurrjens pitched three-hit ball for seven innings and Mark Teixeira homered as Atlanta beat Los Angeles for the Braves’ first sweep of the Dodgers in eight years. The Braves gave up three runs in defeating the Dodgers three times. Atlanta’s last sweep over Los Angeles came in a three-game set in April 2000. Atlanta won its fourth in a row overall despite losing third baseman Chipper Jones because of a strained right quadriceps. He originally hurt himself April 9 at Colorado. Jones extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a third-inning single and doubled in the fifth. He slid late into second base and was slow to return to his feet.

Reds 4, Brewers 3, 10 innings

CINCINNATI — Edwin Encarnacion and Paul Bako hit consecutive homers off Eric Gagne in the 10th inning, and Ken Griffey Jr. followed with a run-scoring single for Cincinnati. The Reds won for only the second time in their last nine games. The Brewers had been 4-0 in extra innings.

Astros 6, Colorado 4

HOUSTON — Kaz Matsui hit a two-run single in the eighth inning against his former team, helping Houston ended a three-game losing streak. Hunter Pence led off the eighth with a single and Mark Loretta walked against reliever Brian Fuentes (0-1), who allowed a run for the first time in 10 appearances this season. Both runners moved up on an infield out to set up Matsui’s hit. Miguel Tejada followed with an RBI double for the final run.

Giants 8, Cardinals 2

ST. LOUIS — Bengie Molina hit three doubles and drove in three runs and John Bowker hit his third career home run, all against the Cardinals. Aaron Rowand drove in two runs as the Giants handed St. Louis its first series loss of the season. Jonathan Sanchez (1-1) pitched two-hit ball for five innings. The Cardinals did not score until getting two runs in the ninth off Vinnie Chulk.

Marlins 6, Nationals 1

MIAMI — Scott Olsen allowed only three hits in seven innings and Hanley Ramirez hit two home runs for Florida. Olsen (3-0) gave up one run, won his third start in a row and lowered his ERA to 2.60. Washington’s Odalis Perez pitched six innings but remained winless despite allowing only one run, which was unearned.

Padres 9, Diamondbacks 4

PHOENIX — Justin Huber connected off Randy Johnson for his first career home run, ruining the Big Unit’s second start and helping San Diego snap a four-game losing streak. The Padres had mustered six runs in their previous four games, all losses. Randy Wolf (2-0) allowed four runs and six hits in 61‚Ñ3 innings for the Padres, striking out seven.

Associated Press