Chicago White Sox's Kenny Lofton and Cleveland Indians' catcher Einar Diaz watch Lofton's home run clear the right field wall during the third inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Kenny Lofton let his former teammates know that winning the AL Central won't be easy.

        Lofton tormented Cleveland with his speed and power Thursday night, leading the Chicago White Sox past the Indians 7-1 to complete a three-game sweep.

        The Indians, who came to Chicago riding a 10-game winning streak, were outscored 24-8 in the series. Chicago has won eight of nine with a healthy Lofton patrolling center and running the bases with abandon, just as he did in his peak with the Indians.

        “Kenny's off to a nice start and after that the whole lineup complements each other,” Cleveland's Jim Thome said. “We were impressed with their offense. They got momentum early the whole series. That's what this game is about.”

        Lofton, who spent nine years with the Indians, batted a career-low .261 last season. The White Sox signed him as a free agent just before spring training.

        Lofton finished the three-game set 6-for-14 with six runs scored. He has a nine-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in all 15 of Chicago's games.

        “I was playing against my old team for the first time, but after the first at-bat, it's just another game,” Lofton said after going 2-for-4 with his first White Sox homer.

        In other AL games, it was: the Yankees 8, Baltimore 4; Tampa Bay 6, Detroit 4; Oakland 4, Anaheim 2; and Minnesota 4, Kansas City 1.

        Todd Ritchie (1-1), acquired in the offseason from Pittsburgh, allowed six hits and one run in seven innings, for his first AL victory since he was a reliever with the Twins in 1997.

        Paul Konerko hit a solo homer off Bartolo Colon (3-1) in the second and Lofton led off the third with a long drive over the fence in right.

        “They just outplayed us. It's still too early to tell if they're better than us,” Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. The teams play four games at Jacobs Field next week.

        Yankees 8, Orioles 4

        Shane Spencer, trying to prove he deserves to play every day, hit a three-run homer off Scott Erickson (1-2) that sent David Wells and New York over visiting Baltimore.

        Wells (3-0) beat Baltimore for the second time this year. He pitched eight innings and allowed all four runs in the fourth, three on Jeff Conine's homer.

        Devil Rays 6, Tigers 4

        Former Tiger Chris Gomez homered and drove in four runs to support Ryan Rupe (2-1) as the Tampa Bay ended Detroit's two-game winning streak.

        After becoming the fifth team since 1900 to start a season 0-11, Detroit won the first two games of the series against Tampa Bay at Comerica Park.

        But Gomez's two-run double off Jeff Weaver (0-3) in a four-run sixth helped Tampa Bay win the game.

        Athletics 4, Angels 2

        At Oakland, Carlos Pena hit a two-run homer and Erik Hiljus (2-1) pitched seven strong innings for the Athletics.

        Terrence Long and Jeremy Giambi also homered off Ramon Ortiz (1-2) for the A's, who snapped a three-game losing streak

        Scott Spiezio homered for the Angels, who lost their second straight. Troy Glaus, hitless in his last 19 at-bats, had an apparent home run taken away when the umpires reversed a decision in the sixth.

        Twins 4, Royals 1

        Eric Milton mastered Kansas City again and Torii Hunter hit his fifth home run to give Minnesota the win at the Metrodome.

        Milton (3-1) gave up one run and four hits in 7 2-3 innings to improve to 11-2 against the Royals in his career. Eddie Guardado pitched the ninth for his seventh save.

        Jeff Suppan (1-2) gave up four runs and seven hits in 7 1-3 innings.

Two rallies stave off sweep Reds box, runs Kremchek says Jr. improving quickly Reds have OFs to burn Sunday's start goes to Rijo Reds notes: Acevedo demotion a signal Reds at Chicago Cubs Baseball notes: 3-12 Milwaukee fires Lopes as manager AL: Lofton helps White Sox sweep Indians NL: Sexson gives Royster win in managerial debut

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