CC Sabathia carried a shutout into the seventh inning during his sparkling return from the disabled list and the steamrolling Yankees got an early three-run homer from Andruw Jones in a 6-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday night in New York.
Sidelined since June 24 because of a groin strain, Sabathia (10-3) silenced a Toronto lineup minus All-Star slugger Jose Bautista, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day. The good news for Bautista and the Blue Jays is that the wrist injury he sustained Monday isn’t as severe as initially feared, so he hopes to be back before long.
The first-place Yankees hardly missed a beat without Sabathia, going 12-6 while their ace was out and extending their AL East lead to a season-high nine games heading into Tuesday. He went on the DL the same day fellow lefthander Andy Pettitte broke his ankle, but New York just kept rolling right along.
Jayson Nix had three hits in a rare start at third base and Derek Jeter dumped an RBI double inside the right-field line during a three-run seventh that gave the Yankees breathing room.
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Angels 13, Tigers 0 — Mike Trout had another four-hit game for Los Angeles, including a 430-foot homer that was part of an early power show in the Angels’ rout in Detroit.
Trout, Mark Trumbo, and Albert Pujols all homered off Jacob Turner in the first two innings, and Alberto Callaspo and Kendrys Morales went deep later.
Rays 4, Indians 2 — Matt Moore won despite control issues, Carlos Pena homered, and Tampa Bay beat Cleveland in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Rangers 6, Athletics 1 — Roy Oswalt baffled Oakland’s batters to beat the host Athletics for the first time, and Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre each hit solo home runs for Texas.
Mariners 9, Royals 6 — Justin Smoak and Michael Saunders each hit two-run homers and Seattle beat host Kansas City.
Twins 6, Orioles 4 — Joe Mauer had three hits and an RBI and Minnesota’s bullpen pitched 4⅔ innings of scoreless relief in a victory over visiting Baltimore.
Giants 9, Braves 0 — Georgia native Buster Posey drove in five runs with three hits, Barry Zito combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and San Francisco shut out host Atlanta.
Nationals 5, Mets 4 — Pedro Beato threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the 10th inning that allowed the winning run to score, and host Washington rallied to victory after blowing a late lead.
Pirates 6, Rockies 2 — Erik Bedard pitched effectively into the seventh inning for his first win in more than a month, Andrew McCutchen homered, and Pittsburgh beat Colorado in Denver to become the fifth team with at least 50 wins.
Reds 4, Diamondbacks 0 — Righthander Johnny Cueto showed no significant problem from his finger blister during six shutout innings, and Ryan Ludwick hit a three-run homer that sent Cincinnati to its first victory without Joey Votto, who had left knee surgery earlier in the day.
Marlins 9, Cubs 5 — Carlos Lee hit a grand slam and Florida gave Ozzie Guillen a win in his first game back managing in Chicago.
Phillies 3, Dodgers 2 — Roy Halladay pitched five effective innings in his first start off the disabled list, Hunter Pence hit a go-ahead two-out single in the eighth inning, and Philadelphia defeated host Los Angeles for its fourth straight victory.
Brewers 3, Cardinals 2 — Francisco Rodriguez picked up a save on his first night as host Milwaukee’s new closer, Rickie Weeks hit a mammoth home run, and Randy Wolf won his first game since April 30.
Padres 8, Astros 2 — Ross Ohlendorf pitched six innings and Yonder Alonso hit a two-run homer and had three RBIs to help host San Diego beat Houston.