The Associated Press

DETROIT - Jose Contreras made an impressive pitch to stay in New York's rotation, allowing two hits in seven innings in his first career start as the Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 6-0 Friday night behind two homers by Jason Giambi.

Contreras, who left Cuba and signed a $32 million, four-year contract with the Yankees in the offseason, got a one-start trial in the rotation in place of an injured David Wells.

But with a strong first start, Jeff Weaver's recent struggles and owner George Steinbrenner's public wishes for Contreras to join the rotation, the Cuban defector's stay might not be so brief. The Yankees have won three straight following a season-high five-game skid, and coupled with Boston's loss in Toronto, they moved a half-game ahead of the Red Sox. Detroit was shut out for the 10th time, in front of a crowd of 28,003, the largest at Comerica Park since opening day.

Contreras posted a 15.63 ERA through his first six relief appearances. But after struggling in his first game back from the minors, Contreras allowed one hit in five scoreless innings his past two outings.

Blue Jays 13 Red Sox 2

TORONTO - Vernon Wells hit a three-run homer and Carlos Delgado, Greg Myers and Frank Catalanotto also drove in three runs apiece as Toronto handed Boston its first three-game losing streak of the season.

Delgado went 3-for-4 with a walk and now has a major league-leading 55 RBI. Wells is second with 52. Rookie Reed Johnson scored four runs for the Blue Jays, who set a franchise record with their 20th win in May.

Indians 7, White Sox 3

CLEVELAND - C.C. Sabathia stayed in just long enough to get the win as Ben Broussard hit a two-run homer, sending Cleveland past Chicago. Sabathia (4-2) pitched for the first time since May 21 when he sprained his left ankle while covering first base and had to leave in a win over Detroit.

Orioles 8, Rangers 1

BALTIMORE - Omar Daal allowed one run in eight innings, and Baltimore kept up its assault on the Texas pitching staff. Jeff Conine homered, David Segui hit a three-run double and Luis Matos had two hits and an RBI for the Orioles.

Devil Rays 8, Angels 6

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Damion Easley, mired in a bad slump, had three hits and three RBI for Tampa Bay.

Dewon Brazelton pitched six innings to get his first major league victory. The World Series champions dropped to 25-27, losing for the sixth time in their last nine games. The Angels, who went 19-7 last May, are 12-13 this month.

Mariners 6, Twins 0

MINNEAPOLIS - Joel Pineiro pitched a four-hitter with career-high 12 strikeouts as Seattle shut out the Twins.