Soriano's leadoff single started a three-run first as the Yankees broke their 17-inning scoreless streak. He doubled with two outs to key a two-run second.

"I think my job is get to get on base, not to hit home runs," Soriano said.

Maybe, but he hit his 29th homer in the sixth as the Yankees tagged Mulder for a season-high eight runs.

"The Soriano homer, I thought it was a pretty good pitch," Mulder said. "That was the only pitch all day where I made the pitch I wanted and they hit it. He just got to it."

Jason Giambi drove in three against his former team, helping the East leading Yankees maintain a four-game advantage over Boston and avoid their first three-game losing streak since May 22-24.

Mike Mussina continued to struggle, yet wound up with the win. In his past three starts, he has given up 16 runs and 36 hits in 16 innings.

"I've got a lot to improve on," he said. "I'm working hard at it and the guys have been out there supporting me offensively quite a bit."

Terrence Long homered and robbed Ron Coomer of extra bases with a running catch in the third, grabbing the ball right before he slammed his head into the padded wall. But the A's centerfielder also grounded into two rally-killing double plays. He bruised his right elbow on the catch and is listed as day to day.

RED SOX 3, TWINS 1: Nomar Garciaparra and Johnny Damon backed Tim Wakefield's stellar outing with run-scoring doubles as the knuckleballer earned his 100th career win for host Boston.

"Wake is capable of doing that each and every time he goes out there," Red Sox manager Grady Little said. "If that knuckleball is working, it is tough to hit."

Two Twins reached base against Wakefield through five innings. Jacque Jones reached on an error by first baseman Tony Clark in the first and Dustin Mohr had an infield single in the second. He allowed four hits overall.

ANGELS 1, BLUE JAYS 0: Jarrod Washburn enjoyed the best game of his career after overcoming an upset stomach.

Washburn won for the 15th time in 16 decisions, holding Toronto to three hits over eight innings for visiting Anaheim.

"That's the best game I've pitched," Washburn said. "I was pretty sick in the first three innings. I was almost throwing up on the mound. I didn't know if I would last much longer."

David Eckstein homered for the Angels.

WHITE SOX 6, MARINERS 5: Jeff Liefer hit a three-run homer, and Joe Crede and Jose Valentin also homered for host Chicago. Crede's homer was his first in the majors.

RANGERS 11, INDIANS 5: Alex Rodriguez hit his league-leading 38th homer, and rookie Travis Hafner nearly hit for the cycle to lead visiting Texas.

TIGERS 2, ORIOLES 1: Steve Sparks allowed four hits in seven innings and Damian Jackson and George Lombard had run-scoring singles for host Detroit.

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