Yankees 18, Rangers 7

New York – Jason Giambi and the New York Yankees had an emphatic response to Hank’s latest edict.

Giambi hit a grand slam and drove in a season-best six runs, Alex Rodriguez added a three-run shot, and New York avoided a series sweep.

The Yankees had been struggling at the plate, scoring just seven runs and batting .172 in losing three of their last four games, prompting co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner to say things were “getting ridiculous.”

Twins 7, Tigers 0

Minneapolis – Nick Blackburn combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and Joe Mauer’s two-out, two-run single sparked a five-run third inning for the Twins, who took two of three from Detroit.

Athletics 7, Angels 4

Anaheim, Calif. – Joe Saunders pitched into the seventh inning for his league-leading 12th win for the Angels.

Saunders became the first Angels pitcher with at least 12 wins before the All-Star break since Chuck Finley and Mark Langston in 1991.

Rays 7, Red Sox 6

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs, helping the surging Rays beat the Red Sox for their second three-game sweep of the World Series champions this season.

The Rays improved their best record in baseball to 52-32, rallying from a three-run deficit in the seventh inning and extending their lead in the AL East to a franchise-best 31â2 games over the second-place Red Sox, who matched a season high with their fifth consecutive loss.

White Sox 6, Indians 5 (10)

Chicago – A.J. Pierzynski led off the 10th inning with his second homer of the game, and the White Sox defeated the Indians for their seventh straight victory.

Mariners 4, Blue Jays 2

Seattle – Miguel Cairo drove in three runs with two doubles for the Mariners.

Cairo, making just his second start at second base, drove in the game’s first run with a two-out double in the third inning. Dustin McGowan (6-7) walked Ichiro Suzuki, then Cairo doubled off the wall in center.

Raul Ibanez followed with a run-scoring single.