Rick Porcello pitched brilliantly into the ninth inning, and the host Detroit Tigers took over first place in the AL Central Saturday with a 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Brennan Boesch hit a three-run homer and Austin Jackson drove in the other four runs for the Tigers, who lead the White Sox by a half-game in the Central. Detroit was six games out after a loss to the Chicago Cubs June 12.

Porcello (7-5) fell just short of his first complete game, departing after he allowed two hard-hit singles to start the ninth. He allowed a run and five hits.

Porcello outdueled Chris Sale (11-3) in the Chicago lefthander’s first loss since May 12.

Athletics 2, Yankees 1 — Brandon Inge and Yoenis Cespedes homered as Jarrod Parker shut down one of the top lineups for eight innings and host Oakland beat New York for its fourth straight win. Parker (7-4) allowed only an RBI single to Raul Ibanez in the fourth, becoming the latest Oakland starter to baffle the Yankees.

Orioles 3, Indians 1 — Jim Thome’s two-run homer in the seventh inning led Baltimore to its fourth straight victory, beating host Cleveland. Thome hit his 611th career homer.

Cardinals 12, Cubs 0 — Jake Westbrook worked seven innings of three-hit ball and host St. Louis backed him with seven doubles in a 12-run seventh inning.

Braves, Nationals split — Bryce Harper returned from an ankle injury to single and score as a pinch-hitter, and Roger Bernadina had a tiebreaking hit in the seventh inning as host Washington earned a split of the day-night doubleheader with a 5-2 victory.

Harper injured his ankle in the opener and was lifted after the second inning. The Braves won the first game 4-0 behind Ben Sheets’s strong performance.

Rangers 9, Angels 2 — Mike Napoli homered twice against his former team, Yu Darvish struck out 11 over seven strong innings, and visiting Texas battered struggling Angels starter Ervin Santana for a decisive victory.

Giants 6, Phillies 5 — All-Star pitchers Cole Hamels and Matt Cain hit homers in the same inning, and Gregor Blanco drove in the tiebreaking run with a drag bunt single in the 10th to lead San Francisco over host Philadelphia.

All-Star Game MVP Melky Cabrera hit a tying homer off Hamels in the eighth and Buster Posey hit a two-run shot for the NL West-leading Giants, who are 7-1 since the All-Star break.

Dodgers 8, Mets 5 — Juan Uribe broke out of a long slump with a homer and four RBIs, and Chris Capuano pitched seven solid innings as Los Angeles defeated the staggering Mets in New York.

Pirates 5, Marlins 1 — A.J. Burnett (11-3) remained undefeated at home by pitching 7⅔ strong innings and host Pittsburgh matched a season high with its fourth consecutive win, beating Miami.

Royals 7, Twins 3 — Lorenzo Cain drove in three runs and Alex Gordon had three hits and scored two runs as host Kansas City beat Minnesota.

Reds 6, Brewers 2 — Ryan Ludwick and Brandon Phillips each hit two-run homers, powering host Cincinnati to a victory over fading Milwaukee.

Mariners 2, Rays 1 — Jason Vargas took a shutout into the seventh inning, Michael Saunders had two RBIs, and Seattle beat host Tampa Bay.

Diamondbacks 12, Astros 3 — Jason Kubel became the seventh player in Diamondbacks’ history to homer three times in a game, driving in six runs as host Arizona dominated Houston.

Rockies 8, Padres 6 — Jordan Pacheco drove in four runs, including the go-ahead score in the 12th inning, and Michael Cuddyer tied a career high with four hits as visiting Colorado outlasted San Diego.