DETROIT (AP) -Josh Beckett had eight strikeouts, including the 1,000th of his career and Kevin Youkilis hit another home run at spacious Comerica Park to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night.
Beckett (4-2) gave up six hits and a run in seven innings and Youkilis hit his third home run in two games, giving him eight in Detroit. He hasn't hit more than two outside Fenway Park.
The Red Sox took three of four in the series from the Tigers and have won six of their past seven, while Detroit has lost six of seven.
Justin Verlander (1-6) gave up five runs on nine hits in six innings. He struck out five, but allowed Jason Varitek's two-run single and Jacoby Ellsbury's sacrifice fly in the second inning, as well as Youkilis' two-run drive in the fifth.
SEATTLE (AP) - Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer and then got hit by a pitch, setting up a fourth-inning brawl.
Richie Sexson charged the mound and flung his helmet at Rangers starter Kason Gabbard after the left-hander threw a pitch eye-high to him in the bottom half.
Both benches cleared, but no punches were thrown. Sexson was ejected.
Gabbard was not, but was removed two batters later with what appeared to be a leg injury and relieved by Franklyn German (1-0), who pitched 1 2-3 innings.
Gabbard, who had just come off the disabled list gave up just two hits in 3 2-3 innings. He and German combined with Jamey Wright, Eddie Guardado and Frank Francisco to shut out the Mariners for the second night in a row, after a 2-0 win on Wednesday. Seattle hasn't scored in 22 straight innings.
NEW YORK (AP) - Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit homered for New York.
Mike Mussina (5-3) won his fourth straight start and earned his 255th career victory, holding on for five innings. Joba Chamberlain pitched an easy eighth and Mariano Rivera closed for his ninth save.
Cleveland was trying to sweep the Yankees in a series of three or more games for the first time in nearly two decades. The last time the Indians did, they completed by beating Tommy John on April 9, 1989 - John, by the way, turns 65 in two weeks.
Cano's homer finished Paul Byrd (1-3) in the seventh and Betemit, subbing for the injured Alex Rodriguez, met reliever Masa Kobayashi with a drive over the center-field fence. The Yankees tied a season high with their four home runs.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Daniel Cabrera threw a three-hitter to remain perfect against Kansas City, Nick Markakis backed him with a three-run homer, and Baltimore snapped a five-game losing streak.
Cabrera (3-1) struck out seven and walked one in his fifth career complete game and first since Sept. 28, 2006 against the Yankees.
In seven career starts against the Royals, the right-hander who led the AL last year with 18 losses, is 4-0. Markakis connected off rookie Luke Hochevar (2-2) in the third inning as the Orioles won for just the third time in 11 games.
CHICAGO (AP) - Jermaine Dye homered for the third straight game and Juan Uribe added a go-ahead two-run drive in the fifth for the White Sox.
John Danks (3-3) made it through five innings, giving up six hits and two runs, and Chicago won for just the second time in nine games.
Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire returned after missing five games following the death of his brother, but his first game back was an abbreviated one. He was ejected for the 37th time in his career and first time this season in the sixth inning by plate umpire Doug Eddings after a double steal by the White Sox.
Kevin Slowey (0-2) allowed three runs and four hits in five innings for the Twins.
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