The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Raul Ibanez and Joe Randa hit consecutive home runs in a four-run third inning as Kansas City beat Minnesota 5-4 Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

The Royals, who had lost the first two games of the series by lopsided scores, reclaimed a three-game lead over the Twins in the AL Central. Going into their game at Texas Sunday night, the Chicago White Sox were 2 1/2-games behind.

The Royals begin a seven-game road trip today with the first of three at New York, then go to Minnesota for four.

"I have to say this game today was one of the most important games that we've played in the whole season," Royals manager Tony Pena said. "I'm just happy to see the ballclub was up to it, to take the field and play the way they played."

Mariners 3, Red Sox 1

SEATTLE - Streaky Freddy Garcia won his second straight start after dropping six consecutive decisions. By taking two of three from the Red Sox, the Mariners stayed four games in front of Oakland in the AL West. The Red Sox fell five games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East and dropped into a tie with the Athletics in the wild-card race.

Athletics 7, Blue Jays 3

OAKLAND, Calif. - Terrence Long drove in three runs, and Oakland roughed up Roy Halladay. Barry Zito pitched seven solid innings, winning his second start in a row following a career-worst five-game losing streak.

Yankees 8, Orioles 0

BALTIMORE - Mike Mussina pitched a three-hitter to win his fourth straight decision, and New York completed a four-game sweep. New York hit eight home runs and outscored the Orioles 27-13.

Rangers 6, White Sox 4

ARLINGTON, Texas - Alex Rodriguez hit his 33rd homer and a tiebreaking two-run triple in the seventh inning as Texas completed a three-game sweep. The White Sox lost their fifth in a row and fell three games behind first-place Kansas City in the AL Central.

Angels 11, Tigers 6

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Garret Anderson became the Angels' career hits leader and threw out the potential tying run at the plate. Anderson tied Brian Downing's club mark for hits with an infield single Saturday, then broke it in the first inning with another infield hit to second base.

Indians 5, Devil Rays 4

CLEVELAND - Ryan Ludwick singled home the tying run in the 10th inning, then won it in the 12th with a nearly identical hit. Ludwick has delivered the winning hit in Cleveland's last three extra-inning triumphs.