AL roundup: Contreras, Thome lead White Sox to sweep of Royals

CHICAGO -- Jose Contreras won his fourth consecutive decision and Jim Thome hit a home run as the resurgent Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 6-2 on Thursday night to complete a three-game sweep.

Orlando Cabrera's two-run single capped a four-run second inning for the first-place White Sox, who came home in turmoil this week after manager Ozzie Guillen criticized his team and his general manager Sunday following a frustrating series at Tampa Bay.

Thome added an insurance run in the seventh with his 12th home run for the White Sox (33-26), who lead Minnesota by 2½ games in the AL Central.

The sloppy Royals (23-37) committed two errors and could have been charged with more. They lost their 11th consecutive road game, one shy of the franchise record, and have dropped 15 of 17 overall.

Contreras (6-3) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings. He hasn't lost since May 4. Full story

Rangers 9, Indians 4

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Michael Young hit a home run and extended his hitting streak to 21 games, and Kevin Millwood shook after a bad first inning to pitch into the seventh for Texas.

The Indians roughed up Texas pitching for 35 runs and 48 hits in the first three games of the series, then scored four more in the first.

Millwood (4-3) settled in after that, retiring 15 in a row.

Eddie Guardado relieved Millwood after a leadoff single by Jamey Carroll in the seventh.

It was another tough outing for Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia (3-8). He yielded five runs and nine hits while striking out eight in six innings. The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner has lost three consecutive decisions and is winless since May 14.

Orioles 3, Twins 2

MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Jones hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning and Baltimore beat Minnesota. Jones opened the inning with a drive into the left-field seats against reliever Brian Bass (2-2).

Nick Markakis gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead in the third with 10th home run, a two-run shot.

Garrett Olson (5-1) tossed 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs and eight hits. George Sherrill pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 22 attempts, working around Nick Punto's one-out double.

Twins starter Scott Baker came off the disabled list and threw 99 pitches in five innings. He gave up two runs and five hits.