Willy Aybar's two-run, two-out single in the eighth inning helped the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League on Tuesday. Aybar's effort off reliever Darren Oliver capped a three-run eighth inning and saw the Rays claim the league's best record at 77-48. The Rays' Eric Hinske was delighted saying: "They're one of the best teams in the league and we just wanted to keep our momentum going." Rookie Clayton Richard earned his first major league win, while Jim Thome and Nick Swisher homered to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 5-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Richard (1-2), making the fifth appearance of his career, allowed five hits and one walk in six scoreless frames. Brian Buscher pounded three hits and drove in three runs to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 13-2 triumph over the Oakland Athletics and AJ Burnett dominated the New York Yankees as the Toronto Blue Jays clinched a tight 2-1 victory. Kevin Youkilis and Jason Varitek both homered, while Jacoby Ellsbury had two hits and two stolen bases to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 7-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Clinging to a 3-2 lead in the fifth inning, Youkilis clubbed a two-run homer and added an RBI single in the eighth. Matt Joyce blasted two home runs and the Detroit Tigers used a nine-run seventh inning to defeat the Texas Rangers 11-3.
Grady Sizemore blasted a three-run home run as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 9-4. * PA Sport
