The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez and their New York teammates caused another meltdown by Kenny Rogers against the Yankees, overcoming Alfonso Soriano's triumphant return to the Bronx.

Staked to a four-run lead, Rogers allowed five home runs, and Sheffield's second of the game propelled the Yankees over the Texas Rangers 7-6 Friday night for New York's 10th win in its last 11 games.

Derek Jeter left in the fourth inning with a tight left groin, and the Yankees said their captain was day-to-day.

Rogers, at 8-2 off to the best start of his career, resembled the struggling starter booed out of the Bronx in 1997 after two shaky seasons with the Yankees.

Bernie Williams hit a two-run homer in the third, and Wilson, Rodriguez and Sheffield hit solo shots in the fourth. When Hideki Matsui hit another solo homer leading off the fifth, Texas manager Buck Showalter ran to the mound to take out Rogers.

Former Ranger Kevin Brown (7-1) wasn't much better, falling behind 4-0 in the third on homers by Soriano and Mark Teixeira, then failing to hold a 6-4 lead in the sixth.

Brown bounced a pair of pitches before a run-scoring passed ball by Jorge Posada and gave up an infield single by Eric Young on a shot off the drawn-in Rodriguez at third.

Sheffield put the Yankees back ahead in the bottom half with a solo shot off Jay Powell (1-1). It was Sheffield's 28th multihomer game, and it gave the Yankees their 16th six-homer game - only their fourth at Yankee Stadium.

Devil Rays 8, Orioles 7, 11 innings

BALTIMORE - Julio Lugo led off the 11th inning with his fourth hit and scored on a pinch-hit single by Fred McGriff to send Tampa Bay to its third straight victory and 11th in its last 15 games. Tino Martinez hit a three-run homer for the Devil Rays, who blew a five-run lead before forcing extra innings.

Melvin Mora hit his first career grand slam for Baltimore, which has lost four straight games. The Orioles received 12 walks but stranded 12 baserunners.

Royals 5, Red Sox 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jimmy Gobble pitched six strong innings, retiring 15 consecutive batters during one stretch, to lead Kansas City. The 22-year-old left-hander gave up two runs on five hits, with no walks and one strikeout.

Tim Wakefield (4-4) went 6 2/3 innings and was charged with five runs on nine hits.

Twins 3, Tigers 2

MINNEAPOLIS - Torii Hunter's solo homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Minnesota the win. Corey Koskie also connected for the Twins.

Carlos Guillen homered for Detroit, which has lost eight of its last 11 games.