NEW YORK, 12 April 2004 — Mark Buehrle tossed a three-hitter over eight innings and Magglio Ordonez and Jose Valentin both homered to lead the Chicago White Sox past the New York Yankees 7-3 in the American League (AL) Saturday.

The Yankees slipped to 3-4 to start the season despite their power-packed lineup and have won just twice in five games since returning from their two-game season-opening trip to Japan.

New York has scored just 16 runs in the last five games and managed just three singles off Buehrle (1-0).

Buehrle left Monday’s opener at Kansas City with a 7-3 lead but the bullpen blew that advantage in the White Sox loss.

However, against the Yankees he allowed just two unearned runs, which came in the first inning on two throwing errors by Valentin.

Henry Blanco hit two home runs to lead a six-homer assault as the Minnesota Twins handed the Detroit Tigers their first loss after four wins to start the season, 10-5.

Lew Ford also homered and had three hits for the Twins, while Brad Radke got the win by allowing five runs on nine hits over five innings.

Aaron Guiel homered, had three hits and drove in three runs, including the winning run with a 10th-inning single, as the Kansas City Royals edged the Cleveland Indians 7-6. Kansas City scored three runs in the ninth before Steve Sullivan pitched a scoreless 10th to get the victory.

In Oakland, Tim Hudson pitched a four-hitter for the first complete game in the major leagues this season, leading the Athletics past the Seattle Mariners 2-1.

Hudson threw only 86 pitches and retired the last 11 batters. Marco Scutaro had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run for Oakland.

Melvin Mora and Larry Bigbie both homered and drove in three runs as the Baltimore Orioles crushed the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 11-3.

In Boston, Pedro Martinez allowed four hits over 7 2/3 innings to help the Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Mark Bellhorn homered for Boston. Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay (0-2) gave up three runs on seven hits in seven innings to take the loss. Brad Fullmer collected three hits and drove in three runs as the Texas Rangers mauled the Anaheim Angels 12-6.

Reds Stay Hot With Another Win Over Pirates: NL

D’Angelo Jimenez drove in two runs as the Cincinnati Reds won their fourth straight game, downing the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 in the National League on Saturday.

The hosts Reds improved to 4-1, their best start since they went 6-1 to open the 1994 season. Adam Dunn hit a solo home run for the Reds, who were never more than two games over .500 last season, in their first year at The Great American Ballpark.

Jimenez had an RBI double and a sacrifice fly to give starter Cory Lidle all the support he would need.

Ben Sheets struck out a career-high 10 batters in six scoreless innings as the Milwaukee Brewers thumped the Houston Astros 6-1.

Loser Tim Redding was charged with three runs on six hits over five innings. Hee Seop Choi thumped two homers to guide the Florida Marlins to a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

In Atlanta, Julio Franco hit a tie-breaking three-run double in the eighth inning to hand the Braves a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.

John Patterson pitched a two-hitter over seven shutout innings to help the Montreal Expos edge the New York Mets 1-0 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In San Diego, Phil Nevin had four hits as the Padres beat the San Francisco Giants 6-4. Slugger Barry Bonds again failed to homer for the Giants and remained on a career total of 659, one behind his hero Willie Mays for third place on the all-time list.

In Phoenix, Scott Rolen clubbed two homers as the St. Louis Cardinals destroyed the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-2.

Rolen had five RBI while Edgar Renteria collected four hits, including three doubles.

In Los Angeles, Adrian Beltre homered and drove in three runs to help the Dodgers ease past the Colorado Rockies 7-4.