The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Bartolo Colon scattered three hits over eight shutout innings, and Roberto Alomar homered for the first time since being traded as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 Wednesday to pull within a game of first place in the AL Central.

Carlos Lee homered and drove in a pair of runs for the White Sox, who followed last week's road sweep of the division-leading Royals by taking two of three at home.

"(Colon) did his job," said catcher Sandy Alomar, who also had an RBI. "A guy that wins big games, a guy that wants the ball when the game's on the line, that's Bartolo."

Tom Gordon gave up a three-run homer to Carlos Beltran in the ninth, cutting the lead to 4-3. But Damaso Marte got two outs for his ninth save of the season.

The White Sox are a major-league best 15-5 since the All-Star break, and have made up six games on Kansas City. The teams won't meet again until September, when they'll play seven of their last 10 games against each other.

Blue Jays 7, Devil Rays 3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Roy Halladay became the first 16-game winner in the majors, pitching his third complete game of the season for Toronto. Halladay (16-3) gave up nine hits, struck out six and walked none.

Rangers 5, Yankees 4

NEW YORK - Reliever Mariano Rivera threw away a bunt that set up pinch hitter Hank Blalock's two-run single in the ninth inning as Texas rallied for the victory. The Rangers had been 0-59 this season when trailing going into the ninth.

Indians 10, Mariners 6

CLEVELAND - Travis Hafner homered and drove in a career-high four runs as Cleveland snapped Joel Pineiro's winning streak at eight games. The Indians ended a five-game losing streak by pounding Pineiro (13-6) for seven runs and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings - his shortest outing of the season.

Red Sox 4, Angels 2

BOSTON - Pedro Martinez remained unbeaten since May 9 with his second complete game of the season for Boston. He had 11 strikeouts, including one of Tim Salmon looking with to end the game.

Twins 7, Orioles 3

BALTIMORE - Torii Hunter hit a three-run homer and Shannon Stewart had a solo shot in a five-run fourth inning that powered Minnesota to the win.

Athletics 9, Tigers 3

DETROIT - Eric Chavez homered twice, doubled and drove in five runs to lead Oakland to its 10th win in its last 13 games. Detroit clinched its 10th straight losing season.