Jeter, Garciaparra return; Brown hurts back again

The New York Yankees were all excited about Derek Jeter's return — until Kevin Brown's back locked up again.

Jeter's go-ahead homer in the seventh inning helped New York rally past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-5 Wednesday night, but Brown left after only two innings because of stiffness in his lower back.

A six-time All-Star, the 39-year-old right-hander has been beset by back problems and surgery, going on the disabled list six times in the previous five years.

”Obviously, you come out at that point in the game, you have to have some doubt about what you'll be able to do,” Brown said. ”Maybe this is coming to a head, and we'll be able to get it straightened out.”

Jeter, who missed three games with tightness in his left groin, wasn't the only star shortstop who returned to the lineup.

Nomar Garciaparra went 1-for-2 in his season debut for the Boston Red Sox, an 8-1 loss to the San Diego Padres.

Garciaparra missed the first 57 games of the year with Achilles tendinitis, but returned to a rousing cheer from the sellout crowd at Fenway Park. He waved and saluted the fans when he took his position in the first inning and got a standing ovation when he singled in his first at-bat of 2004.

”The ovation they gave me was incredible,” Garciaparra said. ”I deeply and truly appreciate it. I can't thank them enough.”

In other interleague games, it was: Detroit 4, Atlanta 2; Toronto 4, Los Angeles 0; Cleveland 8, Florida 1; Baltimore 8, Arizona 2; Tampa Bay 4, San Francisco 3 in 10 innings; Philadelphia 13, the Chicago White Sox 10; Minnesota 5, the New York Mets 3; Houston 3, Seattle 0; Milwaukee 12, Anaheim 2; and Oakland 17, Cincinnati 8.

Pittsburgh's game at Texas was rained out, and so was Montreal's game at Kansas City. Each was to be made up as part of a doubleheader Thursday.

In the only NL game, St. Louis beat Chicago 12-4.

Brian Lawrence (8-3) pitched five shutout innings for San Diego, spoiling Garciaparra's return.

”People were excited to see him. We were excited to have him,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. ”He swung the bat good. Obviously, he'll do a great job.”

Neither Lawrence nor Garciaparra stayed in the game after a rain delay of 2 hours, 21 minutes in the sixth.

Brown said he slipped on a pitch in the first inning, and likened the sensation to having a ”steel rod” in his back. He was to be re-evaluated Thursday to determine whether he needs further tests.

He said the discomfort does not feel similar to what he had after back surgery.

”Whether it's good news or bad news, we'll find out,” Brown said.

The Yankees won their 12th straight interleague game, and Colorado lost its fourth in a row overall.

Bernie Williams and Gary Sheffield also homered as New York rebounded from a 5-0 deficit. The Yankees won when trailing by at least four runs for the sixth time this season.

Mariano Rivera worked the ninth for his 25th save.

Blue Jays 4, Dodgers 0

At Toronto, Miguel Batista (4-4) pitched a four-hitter for his third career shutout, striking out a season-high eight. Howie Clark homered, one day after hitting his first major league home run.

Indians 8, Marlins 1

At Cleveland, Jake Westbrook (5-2) allowed one run in eight innings and Casey Blake homered to help the Indians beat Florida for the first time in six tries since Game 6 of the 1997 World Series.

A.J. Burnett (0-2) gave up eight runs and 12 hits in 4 1-3 innings, losing for the first time in 10 interleague starts.

Orioles 8, Diamondbacks 2

At Baltimore, Miguel Tejada hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer off Stephen Randolph (1-1) in a five-run seventh, and Luis Matos added a two-run shot. Melvin Mora scored a career-high four runs for the Orioles, who won for only the sixth time in 18 games.

Twins 5, Mets 3

At Minneapolis, Johan Santana (3-4) struck out 10 and walked none, allowing one run in seven innings to end his four-game losing streak. Joe Nathan got four outs for his 16th save.

Jacque Jones hit a three-run homer, and Matthew LeCroy followed with a home run as Minnesota won its third straight.

Gerald Williams hit his first major league homer in more than three years for the Mets, who have dropped four of five. Steve Trachsel (5-5) took the loss.

Devil Rays 4, Giants 3, 10 innings

At St. Petersburg, Fla., Jose Cruz Jr. hit a two-out single in the 10th after Tyler Walker (4-1) walked the bases loaded. Danys Baez (2-1) got the win after blowing his first save in 12 chances.

Phillies 13, White Sox 10

At Chicago, Bobby Abreu homered twice, Eric Milton (8-1) won his third straight start and Jim Thome added his third homer in two games for Philadelphia. The teams have combined for 17 homers in two games, a U.S. Cellular Field record.

Tigers 4, Braves 2

At Detroit, Eric Munson and Carlos Guillen homered for the Tigers, and Craig Dingman (1-0) got his first major league win, pitching three scoreless innings of relief in a game delayed by rain for 2 hours, 24 minutes in the second inning.

Astros 3, Mariners 0

At Seattle, Wade Miller pitched Houston to its second straight shutout of the Mariners, combining with three relievers on a seven-hitter.

Jeff Kent blooped a single to center in the eighth, extending his career-best hitting streak to 24 games and tying the Astros' record set by Tony Eusebio in 2000.

Miller (6-6) gave up six hits in six innings, beating Freddy Garcia (3-5). Octavio Dotel got his 11th save.

Brewers 12, Angels 2

At Anaheim, Calif., Bill Hall drove in three runs, Brady Clark tied a career high with four hits and Milwaukee sent the Angels to their fifth straight loss. Vladimir Guerrero hit his 15th homer, tying for the AL lead.

Tim Salmon went 3-for-3 in his return to Anaheim's lineup, but outfielder Raul Mondesi went on the 15-day disabled list with a torn right quadriceps.

Athletics 17, Reds 8

At Oakland, Calif., Damian Miller hit a grand slam and the Athletics got a season-high 22 hits to complete a three-game sweep. Ken Griffey Jr. remained two homers shy of 500.

Oakland won its fifth straight and took sole possession of first place in the AL West. The Athletics improved to 15-0 against the NL Central in interleague play — 6-0 versus Cincinnati.

Cardinals 12, Cubs 4

At Chicago, Edgar Renteria hit a grand slam, Jim Edmonds homered twice and had four RBIs, and St. Louis roughed up Mark Prior (0-1).

Matt Morris (6-5) gave up four runs in five innings. He also sparked the latest skirmish between the teams when he sent Derrek Lee sprawling in the dirt with a fastball near his head in the fifth. No punches were thrown and no one was ejected, but the game was delayed for about five minutes.

AP-DS-06-10-04 0400EDT