New York ? With the Boston Red Sox back in town, Gary Sheffield, Robinson Cano and Tony Womack put on an impressive show.

Cano and Womack threw out runners at the plate in the sixth inning to keep Boston from building a big lead, and Cano and Sheffield hit impressive home runs during a five-run rally in the bottom half, leading the New York Yankees to a 6-3 victory Friday night.

“A big game,” said Sheffield, whose tiebreaking, three-run drive wound up in the first row of the rarely reached left-field upper deck.

Randy Johnson (5-3) won despite another perplexing start. He tinkered with his mechanics and regained a fastball that topped out at 97 mph. But he struck out just three and allowed hits to his final five batters. Boston managed only one run in the sixth inning due to the Yankees’ solid defense.

“It changed the complexion of the ballgame,” Johnson said.

Mariano Rivera, who had blown his first two save attempts of the year against Boston, got two outs for his 12th save in 14 chances. He failed in his first two opportunities of the season against the Red Sox, both on the opening homestand, but has converted two in a row against Boston.

New York, 11-19 three weeks ago following its worst start since 1966, has won 16 of its last 18, including nine straight at home. The Yankees are second in the AL East, 31â2 games behind Baltimore.

Boston, meanwhile, has lost four straight and fallen five games back of the Orioles.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona missed the World Series champions’ previous game April 6 at Yankee Stadium when he was rushed to the hospital. He joked about it Friday afternoon, calling it a “fake heart attack,” but Boston then provided little to smile about.

New York's Derek Jeter, left, greets Gary Sheffield after Sheffield hit a three-run home run. The Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox, 6-3, Friday in New York.

Tim Wakefield (4-4) walked seven, his highest total in eight years, and the Red Sox, who outhit the Yankees 11-7, went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position during the first five innings.

Rangers 6, White Sox 2

Arlington, Texas – Alfonso Soriano homered twice, rookie Chris Young pitched eight strong innings, and the Texas Rangers won their season-high seventh straight game. Michael Young and Mark Teixeira also connected to give the Rangers 21 homers during their current winning streak, which is the longest active run in the majors.

Texas entered the three-game series coming off three-game sweeps of last-place teams Houston and Kansas City, and the White Sox presented a more formidable test with the best record in the majors.

Indians 4, Athletics 1

Cleveland – Cliff Lee outpitched Barry Zito, overcame two rain delays and combined with four relievers on a four-hitter as Cleveland beat Oakland. Lee (6-2) allowed two singles in six shutout innings.

Devil Rays 5, Mariners 4

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Josh Phelps hit a two-run homer to lead Tampa Bay over Seattle, the Devil Rays’ fourth straight victory. Phelps’ fourth homer in his last seven games put the Devil Rays ahead 5-2 in the seventh. He homered just once in his first 29 games this season.

Tigers 4, Orioles 3

Baltimore – Dmitri Young and Craig Monroe homered, and Detroit ended a four-game losing streak by beating Baltimore. Detroit starter Nate Robertson (2-3) allowed three runs, six hits and a walk in 72â3 innings, and the bullpen held on. Robertson has a 1.97 earned-run average in five starts this month.

After Robertson left, Todd Farnsworth gave up two-out RBI singles to Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada in the eighth. But with the tying run on second base, Sammy Sosa grounded into a fielder’s choice.

Twins 7, Blue Jays 2

Toronto – Johan Santana and Matt Guerrier combined on a five-hitter, and Shannon Stewart and Juan Castro homered to lead Minnesota. Toronto starter Josh Towers (5-3) allowed a club-record 14 hits and gave up seven runs – five earned – in six innings. The Twins tied their season high with 16 hits.

Staked to a 7-1 lead in the third, Santana (6-2) allowed two runs and four hits, struck out eight and walked two in seven innings. The 2004 Cy Young Award winner allowed a season-high seven runs in a 10-3 loss to Toronto on May 17.

Thursday’s late game

Angels 3, White Sox 2

Anaheim, Calif. – John Lackey pitched seven sharp innings, and Dallas McPherson hit a go-ahead two-run homer to give Los Angeles a victory over Chicago.