The California Angels stopped their 11-game losing streak, defeating Detroit 6-1 Friday night and snapping the Tigers' five-game winning string.
The Angels' skid was the longest in the majors this season. Julio Valera (5-8) pitched seven strong innings, allowing six hits and striking out eight.California took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off Buddy Groom (0-3), still seeking his first major league victory.
Luis Polonia led off the game with a single, and Luis Sojo bunted down the third base line for a single, a play that turned into even more when third baseman Scott Livingstone threw the ball past first base. By the time right fielder Mark Carreon chased down the ball, Polonia had scored and Sojo was on third. Junior Felix's grounder scored Sojo.
Mariners 5, Yankees 2
At New York, Jay Buhner hit two home runs against his former team, leading Dave Fleming and the Seattle Mariners past the New York Yankees.
Fleming (11-3), leading major league rookies in victories, gave up five hits and left after a leadoff single in the ninth inning. Russ Swan got the last two outs for his fourth save.
Twins 5, Orioles 2
At Baltimore, Kevin Tapani beat Baltimore Orioles for the second time in five days, allowing two runs in seven innings to lead the Minnesota Twins to victory.
Tapani (10-5) was on course for his fourth straight complete game, but was pulled after throwing 91 pitches in the 97-degree heat. He is 4-0 with a 0.79 ERA in his last four starts. Rick Aguilera finished for his 25th save.
Athletics 5, Blue Jays 1
At Toronto, Terry Steinbach, Scott Brosius and Randy Ready hit home runs and the Oakland Athletics stopped Toronto's eight-game winning streak.
Toronto's winning string was its longest of the season. Oakland ended its three-game losing streak.
Red Sox 6, White Sox 5
At Boston, Newly acquired Billy Hatcher singled home the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox bounced back to beat Chicago.
Hatcher, obtained Thursday from Cincinnati in a trade for pitcher Tom Bolton, also began a five-run rally in the eighth inning with an RBI double.
Royals 3, Brewers 1
At Milwaukee, Tom Gordon pitched four scoreless innings after starter Mark Gubicza left because of an injury and the Kansas City Royals beat Milwaukee.
Gubicza pitched only one inning before leaving because of stiffness in his right forearm. Gordon (2-9) allowed only two hits and Jeff Montgomery went the ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances. Ricky Bones (5-5) was the loser.
Rangers 6, Indians 5
At Arlington, Texas, Juan Gonzalez hit a three-run homer in the first inning and later had an RBI single as Texas topped Cleveland.
Brian Bohanon (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for the start, won his first game in his fifth appearance for the Rangers this season. He gave up four runs in seven innings, and Jeff Russell pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 27 chances despite giving up Sandy Alomar Jr.'s RBI single.
National League
Braves 4, Cubs 0
The Chicago Cubs do absolutely nothing against the Atlanta Braves.
John Smoltz pitched a four-hitter and singled in a run Friday, leading the Atlanta to a 4-0 victory over Chicago and its sixth shutout in 10 games against the Cubs this season.
"When you get on a roll and get shutouts like we have," Smoltz said, "it raises our confidence and lowers their confidence."
Smoltz (10-6) struck out seven and walked four.
Mets 7, Astros 6
At Houston, Ediie Murray continued his mastery with the bases loaded with a three-run ninth-inning double, powering the New York Mets to a victory over the Houston Astros.
Pirates 4, Reds 0
At Cincinnati, The Pirates endured a three-hour rain delay, made a mid-game trade to shake up their pitching staff, and finally snapped out of Cincinnati's spell.
Doug Drabek (7-7) played the leading role in the Pirates' whirlwind night. He pitched a six-hit shutout and singled home a run for his first win against an NL West team this season. Cecil Espy also had a two-run homer.
Expos 3, Giants 2
At San Francisco, Ken Hill pitched a seven-hitter with 10 strikeouts in 7 2-3 innings and drove in two runs with a triple and single.
Instead of showing signs of fatigue playing their eighth game in five days, the hustling Expos continued their daring run up the NL East ladder.
Cardinals 3, Dodgers 1
At Los Angeles, Rheal Cormier pitched seven innings of five-hit ball with a career-high 11 strikeouts and St. Louis got home runs by Todd Zeile and Milt Thompson.
Padres 8, Phillies 7
At San Diego, Gary Sheffield's two-run double capped a five-run rally in the sixth inning as the Padres handed the Phillies their sixth straight loss.
Sheffield, who took the National League lead with 60 RBIs, followed a two-run single from Kurt Stillwell and a RBI single by pinch hitter Phil Stephenson as the Padres rebounded from a 5-1 deficit.