Rogers becomes first 12-game winner

Overcoming an injured hamstring, Kenny Rogers became the first 12-game winner in the major leagues.

Rogers allowed seven hits in 5 1-3 innings Monday night, winning his eighth straight decision and leading the Texas Rangers over the Cleveland Indians 8-5.

Two days earlier, Rogers (12-2) hurt his right leg while shagging fly balls in the outfield.

”It made it hard to throw a pitch,” Rogers said. ”I really didn't have a clue of where the ball was going. Not even close. I was lucky to make it through five. I couldn't even land on it.

”I'm just glad they didn't bunt on me. I was limited. Hopefully, in five days it will be better.”

Rogers, who hasn't lost since May 9, said if his leg doesn't improve he would consider skipping next week's All-Star game in Houston.

”I'm not going to go do something that's going to hinder me in the second half of the season,” Rogers said.

In other games, New York beat Detroit 10-3, Minnesota blanked Kansas City 9-0 and Baltimore swept Tampa Bay 4-2 and 8-2.

At Cleveland, Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer for the Rangers, 12-5 since June 18.

C.C. Sabathia (5-4) was rusty in his first start since June 26, giving up six runs and eight hits in three innings. He, too, was picked for the All-Star game.

”I just hope they don't take it away from me,” he said. ”I hope they didn't see what I did tonight.”

Sabathia, who missed a turn because of a sore left shoulder, entered with a league-leading 2.77 ERA, but it rose to 3.23.

Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 25th save.

Yankees 10, Tigers 3

Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams and Ruben Sierra homered for the Yankees, who opened a 7-0 lead in the second inning of their first game since the New York Mets swept them over the weekend.

Jason Giambi, who hadn't started since June 26 because of intestinal parasites, put New York ahead with an RBI single in the first at Yankee Stadium.

Jon Lieber (6-5) pitched shutout ball into the seventh and sent Detroit to its fifth straight loss. Tigers reliever Esteban Yan was ejected for throwing over the head of Rodriguez, who hit his 20th homer in a six-run second off Nate Robertson (7-4).

Twins 9, Royals 0

Brad Radke (5-4) pitched a four-hitter at the Metrodome for his ninth career shutout and first win since May 22. He had been 0-2 in his previous seven starts.

Kansas City has lost six straight for the second time this year, and its 29-51 record is the franchise's worst after 80 games.

Jacque Jones and Nick Punto hit two-run homers for Minnesota, which scored six runs in the second and won for the third time in four games.

Jimmy Gobble (4-6) allowed six runs and nine hits in 4 1-3 innings, dropping to 0-2 with an 8.05 ERA in four starts against the Twins this season.

Orioles 4, Devil Rays 2

Orioles 8, Devil Rays 2

Dave Borkowski took a shutout into the ninth inning of his first major league appearance since 2001, and Jerry Hairston had four hits and four runs at Camden Yards as Baltimore completed a day-night sweep.

In the opener, Daniel Cabrera and two relievers limited Tampa Bay to four hits, and Baltimore got consecutive two-out RBI doubles in the seventh from Luis Matos and Tim Raines Jr. off Dewon Brazelton (2-1).

Tampa Bay, which has lost three straight after winning 19 of 23, had just 10 hits in the doubleheader.

Borkowski (1-0) came within two outs of his first complete game in 14 career starts. He was replaced after consecutive one-out homers by Rocco Baldelli and Aubrey Huff in the ninth. Jeremi Gonzalez (0-5) gave up three runs in the first.

B.J. Ryan (3-2) won the opener, and Jorge Julio worked the ninth for his 12th save.