DETROIT ? Despite a steady downpour, the 40,918 Tigers fans stood and cheered as Mike Maroth finished his one-hitter.

It has been quite a turnaround for Maroth and Detroit, which matched its win total from last season with an 8-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Friday night.

It was fitting Maroth (6-7) picked up the win — with his first major-league shutout — after becoming the face of Detroit’s miserable season with 21 losses last year, baseball’s first 20-game loser since 1980.

“It was unbelievable having a sold-out crowd, standing on their feet for the ninth inning, getting louder and louder,” said Maroth, who tied a career high with seven strikeouts and walked two. “I usually smile, but I’m going to be smiling for a while.”

The Tigers (43-46) already have as many wins as they did last season when they lost an AL-record 119 games, one short of the post-1900 futility mark.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Maroth said.

Ivan Rodriguez — criticized for signing with the lowly Tigers after helping Florida win the World Series — hit a two-run double in a five-run fifth.

Gary Sheffield’s double in the fourth was the lone hit against Maroth, and Sheffield was the only Yankees base-runner to reach second.

The Yankees — one-hit for the first time in just over a year — said Maroth deserved to enjoy the moment.

“You knew things would get better for him because of the way he went out there last year,” Alex Rodriguez said. “He showed a lot of character.”

New York manager Joe Torre said the 26-year-old probably learned a lot from his struggles.

Detroit starter Mike Maroth pitches against New York in the second inning. Maroth, who lost 21 games last season, threw a one-hit shutout in an 8-0 victory over the Yankees on Friday in Detroit.

“Players that have to fight through things like that become better,” Torre said. “He’s not alone. Steve Carlton lost 19 one year, then won a string of Cy Youngs.”

The Tigers have won six of eight, and the Yankees lost for the first time in six games.

All-Star Javier Vazquez (10-6) gave up eight runs — seven earned — on eight hits over 41/3 innings, in his worst outing since giving up seven runs on May 6 at Oakland. It was just his second loss since May 12, a span of 12 starts.

Devil Rays 2, Orioles 0

St. Petersburg, Fla. — John Halama allowed three hits over eight innings, helping Tampa Bay stop a five-game losing streak. Rocco Baldelli hit an RBI double with two outs in the third inning and scored on Aubrey Huff’s single. Halama (5-3) was scheduled to start Sunday, but was moved up after Mark Hendrickson felt neck stiffness Thursday. Halama struck out three and retired 12 straight after allowing consecutive one-out singles to Rafael Palmeiro and David Newhan in the second. Danys Baez completed the three-hitter for his 18th save in 20 opportunities. Erik Bedard (3-4) allowed two runs and seven hits in 62/3 innings.

Rangers 11, Blue Jays 2

Arlington, Texas — Ryan Drese (5-5) pitched into the eighth, allowing just one earned run. He has all of his wins at home, where his 1.91 earned-run avearge is the second-best in the AL behind Oakland’s Tim Hudson. Alfonso Soriano had a two-run homer and a pair of RBI singles, and Laynce Nix went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer. The Rangers chased 2003 AL Cy Young winner Roy Halladay (7-7) after four innings.

Athletics 5, White Sox 1

Oakland, Calif. — Barry Zito pitched seven strong innings for his first win in seven starts, and Jermaine Dye hit a three-run homer. Dye had three hits, and Marco Scutaro had an RBI double for the A’s, who beat Chicago at the Coliseum for the 15th time in 16 games. Oakland has won 22 of its last 25 at home overall. Zito (5-7) allowed four hits, and four relievers finished up, with Octavio Dotel picking up his fourth save in six chances after Chad Bradford allowed consecutive singles in the ninth.

Red Sox 4, Angels 2

Anaheim, Calif. — Pedro Martinez won his sixth straight decision, and Nomar Garciaparra homered for Boston. Martinez (10-3) allowed two runs on five hits and four walks in six innings while striking out eight. The three-time Cy Young winner improved his career record against Anaheim to 9-1 while ending the Angels’ four-game winning streak. Kelvim Escobar (5-6) lost for the fourth time in his last five decisions, allowing three runs and eight hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked three.

Indians 18, Mariners 6

Seattle — Victor Martinez hit three of Cleveland’s club-record-tying eight homers and drove in a career-high seven runs. Matt Lawton, Martinez and Casey Blake connected for consecutive homers in a six-run third inning for the Indians. In the ninth, Martinez, Travis Hafner and Ben Broussard all homered off Julio Mateo. And Jody Gerut connected off Mike Myers for Cleveland’s eighth homer.