Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer to lift the New York Yankees to a 7-3 win over the Oakland Athletics Tuesday, notching a fifth straight American League win. Yankees starter Javier Vazquez (1-2) finally showed the form that made him a 15-game winner last season. He entered the game with a 9.82 ERA, but allowed only three runs in 5-1/3 innings, striking out six. Nick Swisher hit a two-run single against his former team and Jorge Posada also singled home a run in New York's three-run first inning against Gio Gonzalez (1-1). Plate umpire Ed Rapuano took a foul ball to the chin. He was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, but the A's said he was alert when he left the ballpark. Twins 5, Indians 1: In Minneapolis, Kevin Slowey handcuffed Cleveland's struggling offense for eight innings, steering Minnesota to victory. Slowey (2-1) gave up one run with nine strikeouts and no walks. White Sox 4, Rays 1: In Chicago, the hosts ended Tampa Bay's seven-game winning streak. Angels 6, Tigers 5: In Anaheim, Los Angeles overcame another poor bullpen performance to edge Detroit. Blue Jays 4, Royals 3: In Toronto, Vernon Wells homered and John Buck drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single as Toronto beat Tampa Bay. Red Sox 7, Rangers 6: In Boston, Darnell McDonald, called up from the minors earlier in the day, hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to tie the game and won it with an RBI single in the ninth to lift struggling Boston over Texas. Mariners 3, Orioles 1: In Seattle, Jason Vargas extended a stretch of strong starting pitching by Seattle in the victory over struggling Baltimore.
