Rocco Baldelli fits perfectly into the remarkable script that the Tampa Bay Rays are putting together this season.

He missed most of last year with a lingering hamstring problem, just another in a string of injuries that kept him sidelined for much of 2005 and 2006. Then Baldelli was diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder, a condition that slows muscle recovery and causes extreme fatigue.

Baldelli slowly worked himself into shape and, with outfielder Carl Crawford going on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, the Rays were in need of an outfielder. Just so happened that Baldelli was available, helping Tampa Bay to an 11-3 win over the Seattle Mariners in his first game since May 15, 2007.

"I've said it before, there were times I didn't know if I was going to be playing anymore. I honestly didn't know," Baldelli said after going 1-for-4. "There were some scary times too. Those are all behind me now, hopefully. I came out of it feeling good."

So did the Rays, who pushed their lead over the Red Sox to 4Z\x games in the AL East, after Boston lost 6-5 to the Chicago White Sox. New York dropped 8½ back in the division after the Los Angeles Angels finished off a sweep of the Yankees, 4-3.

Tampa Bay won three of four at Seattle, improving to 71-46 and bettering its previous mark for wins in a season — set in 2004 when the Rays finished 70-92.

"It's going to take more than that," manager Joe Maddon said bluntly.

Angels 4, Yankees 3

At Anaheim, Calif., Chone Figgins hit an RBI single with one out in the ninth inning against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, and Los Angeles completed a three-game sweep.

White Sox 6, Red Sox 5

Carlos Quentin hit his American League-leading 32nd homer, Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye also connected, and Octavio Dotel got host Chicago out of a jam.

Gavin Floyd (12-6) picked up the win even though he struggled at times, allowing five runs and seven hits while striking out six and walking one in 5 1-3 innings.

Indians 4, Blue Jays 0

Cliff Lee worked eight shutout innings for his American League-leading 16th win and visiting Cleveland completed a three-game sweep.

Lee (16-2) lowered his ERA to 2.45, moving him ahead of Oakland's Justin Duchscherer (2.51) for the major league lead. He won his fifth straight decision.

Tigers 6, Athletics 1

Nate Robertson (7-8) won for the first time in more than six weeks, allowing five hits pitching into the eighth inning to lift host Detroit.

Rangers 15, Orioles 7

Ian Kinsler broke out of an extended slump with a career-high five hits, including a homer, and visiting Texas emphatically ended its own offensive drought.

Royals 5, Twins 4

Tony Pena Jr. broke out of a slump at just the right time, driving in Mark Teahen with the winning run.