Former teammate ends Tigers' streak at 2

DETROIT -- Former Tiger Chris Gomez homered and drove in four runs as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays ended Detroit's two-game winning streak with a 6-4 win Thursday.

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.

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

Ryan Rupe (2-1), who has beaten the Tigers twice this season, allowed four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Esteban Yan pitched the ninth for his second save.

Athletics 4, Angels 2

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Carlos Pena hit a two-run homer and Erik Hiljus (2-1) pitched seven strong innings to lead Oakland over Anaheim.

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

Twins 4, Royals 1

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

Milton (3-1) gave up one run and four hits in 7 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking none. He's 11-2 against the Royals in his career.

White Sox 7, Indians 1

CHICAGO -- Todd Ritchie got his first win with the White Sox and Paul Konerko and Kenny Lofton homered as Chicago completed a three-game sweep.

The Indians, who came to Chicago riding a 10-game winning streak, were outscored 24-8 in the series.

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

Yankees 8, Orioles 4

NEW YORK -- Shane Spencer, trying to prove he deserves to play every day, hit a three-run homer that sent David Wells and New York over Baltimore.

Benched recently after a slow start, Spencer returned to the starting lineup and reached base in all four plate appearances. Spencer's homer off Scott Erickson (1-2) put the Yankees ahead 5-4 in the fourth inning. He also doubled and walked twice.

Notes

RANGERS: The team will give John Rocker additional time to decide whether he will accept his demotion to the minor leagues. Texas optioned the struggling reliever to Triple-A Oklahoma early Wednesday after he blew a save opportunity the night before.

Since Rocker has fewer than four years of service in the majors and an option remaining, the 27-year-old left-hander can't force his release from the Rangers by refusing to accept the assignment.

In a statement released Thursday, Rangers general manager John Hart and Rocker's agent, Joe Sambito, announced they reached an agreement that gives Rocker until at least next week to decide if he wants to report.

WHITE SOX: Jose Canseco's quest for 500 homers has brought him back to Chicago.

Canseco, who needs 38 homers to reach 500 in his career, agreed to terms Thursday on a minor league contract with the White Sox. He'll report to Triple-A Charlotte and be activated in time for the Knights home game Tuesday.

-- From wire reports