NEW YORK, 26 August 2003 — Jose Contreras pitched seven shutout innings on his return from the disabled list and Jorge Posada hit a three-run homer as the New York Yankees blanked the Baltimore Orioles 7-0 in the American League Sunday.

Contreras (4-1) allowed just three hits as the Yankees took the third game of the four-game series after dropping the first two, improving to 30 games over the .500 mark at 79-49, the best record in the AL.

For the Orioles, their four-game winning streak finally ended. Derek Jeter added a two-run single in the second inning to make it 5-0 for New York before Aaron Boone and Juan Rivera added RBI groundouts in the third to complete the scoring.

Athletics 17 Blue Jays 2

In Toronto, Ramon Hernandez and Miguel Tejada both hit grand slam home runs to pace the Oakland Athletics to a 17-2 pounding of the Blue Jays. It was the first time in the 103-year history of the franchise that two A’s players had hit grand slams in the same game.

Rangers 5 White Sox 0

In Chicago, John Thomson tossed a complete game four-hitter to lead the Texas Rangers past the White Sox 5-0. Thomson (12-10) struck out six and walked one to win his fifth straight decision.

Tigers 10 Angels 9

In Detroit, Brandon Inge hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Tigers a 10-9 win over the Anaheim Angels, ending Detroit’s 11-game losing streak. Dmitri Young and Carlos Pena also homered for Detroit.

Indians 7 Devil Rays 5

In St. Petersburg, Ryan Ludwick hit a pair of run-scoring singles to lead the Cleveland Indians past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 7-5. Jody Gerut added three hits and one RBI for Cleveland, who handed the Rays their fifth straight loss.

Twins 8 Royals 1

In Minneapolis, Matt LeCroy had three hits and drove in three runs to lead the Minnesota Twins to an easy 8-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. Torii Hunter homered for Minnesota.

Red Sox 6 Mariners 1

In Boston, David Ortiz hit a three-run homer as the Red Sox pounded the Seattle Mariners 6-1. Nomar Garciaparra had three hits and drove in a run for Boston.

Hidalgo’s Heroics Guides Astros Past Reds

In Houston, Richard Hidalgo homered, tripled and drove in three runs to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the National League on Sunday. Jeriome Robertson (12-6) went seven strong innings for the victory, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and five walks.

Cardinals 3 Phillies 0

In St. Louis, Brett Tomko tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings to lead the Cardinals to a 3-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Tomko (10-8) allowed just five hits with one strikeout and three walks. Mike DeJean pitched the ninth for his 19th save of the season and first with the Cards.

Brewers 10 Pirates 9

In Milwaukee, Richie Sexson’s single drove in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Brewers their sixth straight win, a 10-9 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sexson also homered and drove in three runs, as did Bill Hall.

Braves 12 Rockies 6

In Denver, Rafael Furcal homered, had four hits, scored four runs and drove in two to lead the Atlanta Braves past the Colorado Rockies 12-6. Chipper Jones also had four hits and two RBI for Atlanta.

Marlins 7 Giants 4

In San Francisco, Miguel Cabrera and Derrek Lee both homered and drove in three runs to lead the Florida Marlins to a 7-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. Barry Bonds was placed on the bereavement list after his father Bobby died a day earlier.

Cubs 5 Diamondbacks 3

In Phoenix, Randall Simon had three hits and drove in a pair of runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 5-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kenny Lofton had two hits and drove in two runs for Chicago.

Expos 8 Padres 4

In San Diego, Brad Wilkerson homered, had three hits and drove in two runs to lead the Montreal Expos to an 8-4 win over the Padres. Jose Vidro also homered and drove in two runs for the Expos.

Mets 2 Dodgers 1

In Los Angeles, Tom Glavine tossed a two-hitter over seven innings to lead the New York Mets to a 2-1 win over the Dodgers. Glavine (9-11) gave up one run with two strikeouts and one walk. John Franco got the last out for his second save.