MLB

Scott Kazmir tossed six strong innings as Tampa Bay survived a surge in the ninth by New York en route to a 7-5 victory.

Kazmir (11-6) surrendered one hit and five walks while striking out seven to improve to 7-1 in 12 starts at home. However, reliever Jason Hammel coughed up five runs in the ninth as Cody Ransom had an RBI single, Derek Jeter launched a three-run homer and Alex Rodriguez followed with a solo shot.

Aybar laced a two-run single to cap a five-run rally in the second against Yankees starter Darrell Rasner (5-10) and connected on his ninth home in the fourth to extend the Rays' advantage to 6-0.

Ervin Santana pitched 7 1/3 excellent innings and Mark Teixeira had two RBI as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim coasted to a 7-1 victory over the spiritless Detriot Tigers.

Torii Hunter homered and Juan Rivera also drove in a pair of runs for the Angels (85-54), who reduced their magic number in the American League West Division to six. Santana (15-5) allowed just one run and six hits, walking one and striking out eight.

Jesse Litsch threw a four-hitter for his second career shutout as the Toronto Blue Jays cruised to a 9-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Litsch (10-8), who had lost four of his last five decisions, struck out three and walked two while throwing 78 of 115 pitches for strikes. Both of his shutouts have come this season. Travis Snider and Vernon Wells homered for Toronto, which has won five straight.

Jose Guillen drove in three runs and Alberto Callaspo added a pair of RBI as the Kansas City Royals completed a doubleheader sweep with a 9-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

Billy Butler had an RBI double and rookie Mike Aviles added an RBI triple for Kansas City, which rapped out 15 hits. Kyle Davies (6-6) benefited from the outburst. The righthander allowed one run and three hits in five innings. Jack Cust and Ryan Sweeney each had an RBI double for Oakland.

In the earlier game, pinch hitter Joey Gathright laced an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to rally the Royals to a 5-4 victory over the Athletics. Joakim Soria (2-3) tossed two scorless innings, allowing one single for the victory.