New York ? Orlando Hernandez showed Toronto a little of this and a little of that. By the time he was done, the Blue Jays still were trying to figure him out.

El Duque pitched eight sharp innings for his best outing yet in a remarkable comeback, and the New York Yankees cruised to a 6-0 victory Saturday.

Hernandez, who had rotator cuff surgery last year and was released by Montreal in December, allowed five hits, struck out six and walked two, pitching the Yankees (70-39) to their fourth victory in a row.

After re-signing with New York as a minor-league free agent in March and rehabilitating his shoulder in the minors, he has been a boon to an injury-depleted staff. The Yankees have won all six games he started since he was called up July 11.

“I’m mixing my pitches better,” Hernandez said through a translator. “I have a better changeup. My slider to left-handed hitters is a lot better. I have good control.”

Scott Proctor pitched the ninth to complete the six-hitter, the Yankees’ third shutout this season.

Most notable for Hernandez was a quick pitch to Blue Jays slugger Carlos Delgado.

“The quick pitch didn’t trick Delgado,” Yankees catcher John Flaherty said. “It tricked me. I hadn’t seen that from him before. He changes speeds so well. He’s a guy who knows how to pitch. If his stuff is good or bad, he finds a way to get guys out.”

In three starts against Toronto, Hernandez has not allowed a run in 17 innings. Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca has seen enough of the right-hander.

“Hernandez was filthy,” Tosca said. “He throws strikes on the black. He gets his slider in and under left-handed batters’ hands. I didn’t see him at his best, but he’s certainly been pretty good against us. He looks like he’s on a mission. His slider was good.”

Red Sox 7, Tigers 4

Detroit — Pedro Martinez struck out 11 for the second straight start, and David Ortiz drove in two runs in his first game since serving a five-game suspension, leading Boston over Detroit. It was Martinez’s 69th game with 10 or more strikeouts with Boston, breaking the team record he shared with Roger Clemens. He allowed two runs — one earned — and five singles in seven innings. Martinez (12-4) struck out the first five Tigers he faced — and seven through three innings — in helping the Red Sox end a two-game losing streak. He improved to 5-0 in nine career starts against the Tigers.

Indians 6, White Sox 5

Chicago — Matt Lawton hit a three-run homer off Shingo Takatsu in the ninth inning, and Cleveland beat Chicago to take over second place in the AL Central. Roberto Alomar and Juan Uribe homered in a five-run sixth to give Chicago a 5-3 lead, but Takatsu blew it.

Mariners 5, Devil Rays 2

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Ron Villone allowed two runs in six-plus innings, and Miguel Olivo hit a three-run homer, leading Seattle over Tampa Bay. Mariners manager Bob Melvin was ejected while exchanging lineup cards before the game. He argued with crew chief Joe West.

Orioles 3, Rangers 1

Baltimore — Rodrigo Lopez turned in a solid pitching performance, and Baltimore beat former teammate Scott Erickson and Texas. Lopez (9-7) allowed only two hits, walked none and struck out seven in 62/3 innings. He faced only one batter over the minimum and retired his first 10 hitters, six by strikeouts. B.J. Ryan allowed one hit in 11/3 innings, and Jorge Julio worked the ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances. He yielded a home run to Alfonso Soriano with one out.

Twins 4, Athletics 3

Minneapolis — Johan Santana struck out 10, outpitching Tim Hudson in a marquee matchup to lead Minnesota over Oakland. Santana (11-6) won his fourth straight decision and reached double digits in strikeouts for the eighth time in his last 10 starts.