White Sox keep Tigers winless 7-5

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers' losing streak stretched to eight -- their worst start in a half-century -- as Frank Thomas capped a five-run fifth inning with a three-run homer that led the Chicago White Sox to a 7-5 win Wednesday.

The Tigers, the major leagues' lone winless team, also started the 1952 season 0-8. Detroit has lost two games since Luis Pujols replaced Phil Garner as manager.

Blue Jays 9, Yankees 7

TORONTO -- Jason Giambi hit his first two homers for the Yankees but the Toronto ended New York's seven-game winning streak.

Giambi homered in his first two-bats, then struck out in his final three as Andy Pettitte failed to hold a 5-2 lead.

Rangers 4, Athletics 2

ARLINGTON, Texas -- John Rocker got his first save in Texas and Rusty Greer hit his first homer since June 8 against Houston as the Rangers improved to 2-6.

Both Texas wins have come against Cory Lidle (0-2), who gave up Greer's one-out homer in the fifth that broke a 2-2 tie.

Royals 6, Red Sox 2

BOSTON -- Paul Byrd (2-0) gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings and Mike Sweeney got three hits and scored twice, ending a four-game winning streak for Boston, which hadn't lost since opening day.

Indians 9, Twins 3

CLEVELAND -- Jim Thome busted out of another April slump with a grand slam and five RBIs as Cleveland won its seventh straight.

Thome came in batting just .143 and hadn't hit a homer before connecting in the second inning off Rick Reed (1-1).

DEVIL RAYS 3, ORIOLES 2

BALTIMORE -- Paul Wilson (1-0) allowed four hits in seven innings, sending Baltimore to its sixth straight loss.

Jason Tyner drove in a run and scored one for the Devil Rays, who improved to 4-3, tying the best mark in franchise history after seven games.

PHILLIES 7, BRAVES 5

PHILADELPHIA -- Pat Burrell's two-run homer in the 11th inning lifted the Philadelphia to victory over Atlanta.

Burrell connected off Kerry Ligtenberg (0-1) for his second walkoff homer in four games. Scott Rolen's two-out homer in the ninth off John Smoltz sent the game into extra innings.

Cliff Politte (2-0) struck out the side in the 11th, running his scoreless streak to six innings.

Expos 9, Marlins 7

MIAMI -- Michael Barrett drove in a career-high six runs, giving him 13 RBIs in five games against Florida this season. Before 5,422, the smallest home crowd in team history, the Marlins lost their third straight.

Mets 3, Cubs 2

CHICAGO -- Roberto Alomar homered for the first time since being traded to the Mets, and Mike Piazza followed with a home run of his own.

Kerry Wood struck out 10 and allowed just four hits over seven innings, leaving with a 2-1 lead and a blister on his middle finger.

Rockies 4, Astros 1

DENVER -- Todd Zeile homered for the third straight game, and Shawn Chacon (1-1) allowed one run and five hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Larry Walker had two hits, including his third homer of the season, and drove in two runs.

Reds 8, Pirates 5

PITTSBURGH -- Barry Larkin and Aaron Boone each drove in two runs, stopping Pittsburgh's five-game winning streak.

Larkin singled in two runs and scored in a four-run second inning. He left after aggravating a muscle strain in his left ribcage.

-- From wire reports