Yankees turn on the power to avoid sweep

Jason Giambi and a sluggish New York squad has suddenly turned sluggerish.

The Yankees played home run derby, with Giambi, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit connecting in a 6-3 victory over visiting Cleveland that prevented an Indians sweep of the series.

"There were big hits up and down the lineup," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

A day after Damon called the Yankees' recent output "pitiful," a lineup missing injured Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada matched a season high for homers.

"I think we're going to be fine," Damon said.

Giambi, Cano and Betemit each began the day hitting well under .180. Damon has done better from the leadoff spot, and he homered for the Yankees' first run in the fourth inning and hit a go-ahead double in the fifth.

Giambi has spent the whole season searching for a groove. Along with the home run, the former AL MVP seemed equally pleased by a sharp lineout to center in his next at-bat.

"Hopefully, I'll get a few more to drop in," Giambi said.

Red Sox 5, Tigers 1:ΠIn a matchup of hard-throwing right-handers, Boston's Josh Beckett got the best of Detroit's struggling ace, Justin Verlander.

And the Red Sox star reached a milestone along the way

Beckett had 8 strikeouts, including the 1,000th of his career, to lead visiting Boston past Detroit.

Beckett (4-2) gave up 6 hits and a run in 7 innings.

Verlander (1-6) gave up 5 runs and allowed Kevin Youkilis' 2-run homer in the fifth and Jason Varitek's 2-run single and Jacoby Ellsbury's sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Rays 8, Blue Jays 3 (13): Dioner Navarro hit a grand slam in the 13th inning after Carl Crawford drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to lead Tampa Bay past host Toronto.

Facing Toronto's seventh pitcher, Shawn Camp (0-1), Jason Bartlett singled off the glove of second baseman Aaron Hill to begin the inning and went to third on Akinori Iwamura's single. Crawford lifted a sacrifice fly to right and Bartlett artfully skirted catcher Gregg Zaun, who had ranged up the line to catch Alex Rios' throw.

B.J. Upton singled and Carlos Pena was intentionally walked before Navarro put the game out of reach with his second career grand slam.

Orioles 4, Royals 1: Daniel Cabrera threw a 3-hitter to remain perfect against Kansas City, and Nick Markakis backed him with a 3-run homer as visiting Baltimore snapped a five-game losing streak.

Cabrera (3-1) had 7 strikeouts in his fifth career complete game and first since Sept. 28, 2006, against the Yankees.