BALTIMORE — Amid all the chatter about his steroid use, hip injury, Madonna and big-money contract, one thing about Alex Rodriguez is indisputable: his ability to play the game of baseball at the absolute highest level.

Rodriguez trumpeted his return to the Yankees by hitting a three-run homer on the first pitch of his late-starting season, CC Sabathia pitched a four-hitter, and New York ended a five-game losing streak by defeating the Baltimore Orioles, 4-0, last night.

"It was awesome," Rodriguez said. "It was just nice to get to the ballpark, give the guys a hug and do what I do best."

Tormented by stories of involvement with steroids and slowed by hip surgery that forced him to begin the season on the disabled list, Rodriguez finally turned his attention toward playing baseball when he stepped to the plate in the first inning against Jeremy Guthrie (2-3).

A-Rod stepped into a fastball and sent it soaring into the left-field seats for his 554th career home run.

Rodriguez struck out in the third and fifth innings against Guthrie, then grounded out against Bob McCrory in the seventh to finish 1 for 4. But that one hit was a doozy; while A-Rod was gone, New York third basemen hit a combined .202 with no homers and 10 RBIs over 28 games.

RED SOX 7, RAYS 3

One night after it tied a modern major-league record and set an AL mark with 12 runs against Cleveland before making an out in an inning, five batters scored before the first out was recorded in the sixth, which included homers by Jason Bay and J.D. Drew, as Boston beat Tampa Bay.

TIGERS 1, INDIANS 0

Justin Verlander (3-2) pitched a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts for the third shutout and fourth complete game of his career, and Curtis Granderson made a leaping catch at the wall with a runner on first in the ninth as host Detroit beat Cleveland.

RANGERS 6, WHITE SOX 0

Matt Harrison (3-2) threw a four-hitter in extending his scoreless-innings streak to 19, and Ian Kinsler and Omar Vizquel each drove in two runs to lead host Texas over Chicago for its sixth win in seven games.

TWINS 11, MARINERS 0

Scott Baker (1-4) gave up five hits in seven innings, and Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris hit homers to help host Minnesota snap a three-game losing streak.

ATHLETICS 5, BLUE JAYS 3

Ryan Sweeney hit a two-run homer, Baldwin High alum Kurt Suzuki added an RBI double in a five-run bottom of the second inning, and four relievers combined on 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a victory over Toronto.

ANGELS 4, ROYALS 1

Howie Kendrick hit a two-run, inside-the-park homer in the bottom of the sixth inning, and rookie Matt Palmer (3-0) allowed one run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings as Los Angeles ended Kansas City's six-game win streak.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

PHILLIES 10, BRAVES 6

Making his first start since spraining his left ankle on April 28, Cole Hamels (1-2) allowed two runs and three hits over six innings, and Jayson Werth, Chris Coste and Chase Utley homered to lead host Philadelphia. Maui's Shane Victorino went 0 for 5, ending his career-best 16-game hitting streak.

REDS 6, CARDINALS 4

Right-hander Johnny Cueto (3-1) allowed a run and five hits in seven innings, leaving with a 6-1 lead, and Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in two runs as host Cincinnati won its second straight.

ASTROS 2, PADRES 0

Wandy Rodriguez (3-2) allowed five hits without a walk over eight innings, lowering his ERA to 1.80, and Hunter Pence hit a two-run single in the fifth inning to lift host Houston over San Diego.

METS 7, PIRATES 3

Jonathon Niese gave up two runs on seven hits over six innings, and Carlos Delgado hit a three-run homer in a five-run bottom of the eighth inning and finished with five RBIs, helping New York to its fifth straight win.

MARLINS 8, ROCKIES 3

Ricky Nolasco (2-3) scattered eight hits over six innings to beat host Colorado with his first victory since opening day and the first win for a Florida starter in more than three weeks.

NATIONALS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 4

Jesus Flores drove in two runs with a homer and an RBI single, and Cristian Guzman tripled in two runs as visiting Washington spoiled A.J. Hinch's debut as Arizona manager.

BREWERS 3, CUBS 2

Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, helping Milwaukee rally past Chicago, which may be without third baseman Aramis Ramirez for an extended period after he dislocated his left shoulder.

GIANTS 3, DODGERS 1

Barry Zito (1-2) allowed a run and eight hits over six innings for his first win of the season on his sixth attempt, and Edgar Renteria's sacrifice fly broke a 1-all tie in the top of the seventh as San Francisco beat Los Angeles.