Robinson Cano hit a grand slam after Maicer Izturis? two-out error in the seventh inning and the New York Yankees overcame another shaky performance by Mariano Rivera to beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 Thursday. Rivera gave up a three-run homer to pinch-hitter Russell Branyan on his first pitch in the ninth before getting two outs for his 30th save. Bobby Abreu connected against Rivera Tuesday night for the first homer off the All-Star closer at Yankee Stadium since May 16, 2010. Rivera also faltered at Boston on Sunday night. Curtis Granderson followed his two double-play balls with a tying two-run homer in the sixth for the Yankees. Fernando Rodney (2-4) gave up two walks in the seventh for the Angels, who lost just their second series in the last 16 (13-2-1). Derek Jeter had three singles ? two infield hits ? and a walk to raise his average in day games to .352 (38 for 108). Rafael Soriano (2-1) got the win. Rays 4, Royals 1: Jeff Niemann won his sixth consecutive decision, Ben Zobrist had a two-run triple and Tampa Bay completed a four-game sweep. Niemann (7-4) allowed one run and nine hits over 6 1-3 innings. The right-hander is 6-0 in nine starts since returning from a strained lower back. The Rays? first four-game home sweep since July 28-31, 2005 ? also against Kansas City ? included an 8-7 win Wednesday night in which Tampa Bay scored five times in the ninth. Kansas City rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-6) gave up three runs and five hits over seven innings. Athletics 10, Blue Jays 3: Conor Jackson drove in three runs and Hideki Matsui had four hits, leading the Athletics to the victory. White Sox 6, Orioles 3: Mark Buehrle pitched eight innings to earn his 10th win, Alexei Ramirez homered in a four-run first inning, and the Chicago White Sox cruised past the Baltimore Orioles. Tigers 4, Indians 3: Someone changed the number plate over Justin Verlander?s locker from 35 to 100, and there was a surprise sitting on a shelf next to his duffel bag. On a night the Detroit Tigers desperately needed a win, Verlander notched a special one of his own. Verlander gave Detroit in the exactly what it needed, becoming baseball?s first 17-game winner and getting his 100th career win as the division-leading Tigers opened a three-game lead in the AL Central with a win over the second
