Detroit ? Jim Thome looks like he’s headed for a big season – just ask Detroit manager Jim Leyland.

Thome homered for the second straight game Wednesday, and Jose Contreras tossed eight strong innings to lift the Chicago White Sox over the Tigers, 4-3.

Thome has five homers after getting just seven in an injury-shortened final season in Philadelphia, which traded him to Chicago in November.

He added a double and scored twice against the Tigers.

“He looks very healthy and strong to me,” Leyland said. “Not having to go out on defense will be a big help for him during the year.”

Twins 6, Athletics 5

Minneapolis – Justin Morneau hit his second homer in two nights, and Torii Hunter had two hits and a home run to lead Minnesota. Tony Batista added three hits and an RBI for the Twins.

Rangers 11, Angels 3

Anaheim, Calif. – Mark Teixeira and Gerald Laird hit their first home runs of the season, Gary Matthews Jr. had a bases-loaded triple in his first game off the disabled list, and Texas beat Los Angeles.

Devil Rays 7, Orioles 4

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Jonny Gomes hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth inning, leading Tampa Bay over Baltimore. Ty Wigginton homered for the second straight game, hitting a two-run shot off John Halama.

Mariners 11, Indians 9

Cleveland – Richie Sexson’s grand slam put Seattle comfortably ahead, and the Mariners snapped a four-game slide and ended Cleveland’s winning streak at six. Sexson hit his 10th career slam in the sixth inning off reliever Danny Graves.

Blue Jays 8, Red Sox 4

Boston – Alexis Rios, Bengie Molina and Vernon Wells homered off David Wells in the left-hander’s first start of the season.