NEW YORK - Derek Jeter broke an 0-for-32 slump with a leadoff home run, Miguel Cairo hit a tiebreaking three-run homer and the Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a 7-5 victory Thursday night.
The Yankees, who have won three straight after being swept by Boston, put on a long-awaited power display against Barry Zito. The former Cy Young winner was tagged for a career-high four homers.
Bernie Williams and Alex Rodriguez also went deep, backing Kevin Brown and sending Oakland to its sixth straight loss. The A's went winless at Yankee Stadium despite starting aces Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Zito.
Jeter drove his first homer of the season well over the left-centerfield fence and into Monument Park for his first hit since an infield single against the White Sox on April 20. The hit came on Zito's first pitch.
It was the longest slump by a Yankees player since Jimmy Wynn went 32 at-bats without a hit in 1977.
"A streak like that, you wouldn't want to wish on anyone, even other teams," Jeter said. "Guys on other teams even have been giving me support."
Jeter, who finished 1-for-4, pumped his fist slightly after he rounded first, and the Yankee Stadium crowd of 35,651, which stood and cheered as Jeter came up, chanted "Jeter! Jeter!" as he crossed the plate. His teammates greeted him at the top of the dugout and high-fived the star shortstop, who came out for a curtain call.
The homer cut New York's deficit to 2-1 after Eric Chavez hit a two-run homer in the top half.
With the score tied at 3 in the sixth, Cairo, the former Devil Ray, hit his first homer as a member of the Yankees, a shot into the leftfield seats. Gary Sheffield hit a leadoff single and Hideki Matsui singled one out later. After Ruben Sierra struck out, Cairo homered to give the Yankees a 6-3 lead.
ANGELS 12, TIGERS 3: Vladimir Guerrero homered and visiting Anaheim scored eight in the fourth.
Guerrero also doubled and singled twice in five at-bats, helping the Angels win for the fifth time in six games.
The Angels scored seven in the big inning off starter Nate Robertson. Overall, Robertson allowed nine runs and eight hits in 31/3 innings.
With one out in the fourth and the Angels leading 2-0, Jose Molina doubled and reached third on an error by centerfielder Alex Sanchez. The next six Angels reached, chasing Robertson, and former Devil Ray Jose Guillen capped the rally with a two-run homer off Gary Knotts.
RANGERS 9, ROYALS 7: Michael Young and Brad Fullmer homered during a three-run rally in the ninth for visiting Texas.
Young's homer tied it against Curtis Leskanic. Hank Blalock followed with a triple, and Fullmer homered with two outs. It was Leskanic's third blown save in five opportunities.
ORIOLES 9, MARINERS 5: Eric DuBose pitched seven three-hit innings and Melvin Mora and Brian Roberts had four hits each, leading host Baltimore. Last-place Seattle has lost seven of eight.
WHITE SOX 6, BLUE JAYS 4: Esteban Loaiza improved to 18-3 in April as host Chicago rallied for five runs in the sixth. Loaiza has won 10 straight in April dating to 2001.
