Watch out, Red Sox, there's a buzz building in the Bronx: Alex Rodriguez and the streaking New York Yankees are chopping away at Boston's big lead.

Rodriguez hit his major league-leading 25th homer, Mike Mussina earned his first win in more than a month and New York beat the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks 7-2 on Wednesday night for its eighth straight victory.

Hideki Matsui added a three-run shot and Jorge Posada also connected to help the Yankees move within 8½ games of the AL East-leading Red Sox, who lost 12-2 to Colorado at Fenway Park.

In a little more than two weeks, the resurgent Bronx Bombers have sliced six games off their startling deficit. New York was a season-worst 14½ games behind Boston after games of May 29.

"There is a lot of confidence in this clubhouse," Rodriguez said.

The Rockies roughed up Curt Schilling in his first start since his near no-hitter, getting four RBIs from Todd Helton and a three-run homer by Brad Hawpe.

Boston's 8Z\x-game cushion in the division is its smallest since the Red Sox led by nine after games of May 16. They still own the best record in the major leagues at 41-23.

"You get blown out like that, you can deal with it — not like a 4-3 loss," first baseman Kevin Youkilis said. "It's one of those nights when you want to get the game over."

Schilling (6-3) followed perhaps the best start of his career with one of his poorest since he came to Boston before the 2004 season. Last Thursday, he beat Oakland 1-0 and allowed one hit — a single by Shannon Stewart with two outs in the ninth.

On Wednesday, the right-hander gave up an infield single to the first hitter he faced, Willy Taveras, and left after five innings trailing 6-2. He allowed nine hits. It was just the 11th time in 87 starts spanning four seasons that Schilling yielded at least six runs.

The Yankees (32-31) have won 11 of 13 to move above .500 for the first time since they were 8-7 after losing at Boston on April 20.

Mussina (3-3) allowed two runs and six hits in 7 2-3 innings to earn his first win since beating Texas on May 9. He finished with a season-high seven strikeouts in his 242nd win, moving into sole possession of 50th place on the career list. Juan Marichal is 49th with 243 wins.

Aaron Rowand hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, helping Philadelphia complete its first home sweep this season.

Aaron Hill had a two-run single in Toronto's five-run fourth inning and Matt Stairs drove in two runs as the visiting Blue Jays avoided a three-game sweep and handed Tim Lincecum (2-1) his first major league loss.

Bill Hall hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning for visiting Milwaukee, one night after Detroit's Justin Verlander threw a no-hitter against the Brewers. Francisco Cordero got his major league-leading 23rd save.

Jake Peavy allowed two hits in seven innings and visiting San Diego got home runs from Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Terrmel Sledge in snapping a season-worst four-game losing streak.

Vladimir Guerrero emerged from his deep slump by driving in four runs for visiting Los Angeles, and John Lackey became the majors' first 10-game winner.

Sean Marshall pitched eight strong innings, and host Chicago snapped Seattle's season-high five-game winning streak.

Carlos Silva threw his second career shutout and Torii Hunter drove in two runs with a homer and a bunt single for host Minnesota.

David Dellucci broke a tie with a three-run homer in the sixth to lead visiting Cleveland in a game that included the ejections of Marlins reliever Taylor Tankersley, first baseman Aaron Boone and manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Mark Ellis hit a two-run double in the eighth off Dan Wheeler (0-4) as visiting Oakland rallied for the win.

At Baltimore, Felipe Lopez tripled with the bases loaded off Orioles closer Chris Ray (3-5) in the 11th. Saul Rivera got his third save.

Adam Wainwright allowed one hit in a career-best eight innings and Albert Pujols drove in three runs for visiting St. Louis.

Brad Penny pitched seven sharp innings and host Los Angeles broke open a tight game with consecutive three-run innings against Jorge Sosa (6-2), handing New York its fifth straight loss.