MINNEAPOLIS — It would have been easy for Glen Perkins to sit this one out.

With a new baby girl in his arms Sunday night, and an 0-2 record with a 9.00 ERA against the New York Yankees this season, no one would have questioned him for accepting Minnesota's contingency offer and ceding last night's start to Nick Blackburn.

Instead, the brand new papa took the mound and delivered the best start of his young career, pitching the Twins back into first place in the AL Central, a half-game ahead of Chicago.

Perkins (9-3) allowed four hits and three walks over eight outstanding innings and light-hitting Adam Everett had a two-run homer, lifting Minnesota to a 4-0 victory over the reeling Yankees.

"It's a great feeling," said Perkins, 25. "I always pitch for my family. That's why I'm playing, to help support them.

"You're tired and you're all those things, but to be able to do that a day after having a baby is really special. You get a little bit extra when you're in a situation like that."

Perkins struck out four and induced two inning-ending double plays. Joe Nathan struck out the side in the ninth.

The Yankees' losing streak reached a season-high four games.

Red Sox 5, White Sox 1: Josh Beckett pitched eight strong innings and visiting Boston beat Chicago even though John Danks (9-5) took a no-hitter into the seventh. Kevin Youkilis' broken-bat single ended the no-hit bid, and J.D. Drew's two-run double put Boston ahead, 2-1. Beckett (11-8) yielded seven hits, struck out eight and did not walk a batter for his second consecutive win.

Indians 13, Orioles 8: Asdrubal Cabrera homered, then doubled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and host Cleveland earned its fourth straight victory. The Indians took an early 5-0 lead but fell behind 8-7. Cleveland scored three times in the seventh, and Ben Francisco and Andy Gonzalez homered in the eighth.

Blue Jays 7, Tigers 2: Rod Barajas had a homer and three RBIs as visiting Toronto beat Detroit. Toronto's Shaun Marcum (7-5) allowed two runs and eight hits over six innings.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers 7, Nationals 1: Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart homered, and Dave Bush pitched host Milwaukee past Washington for its sixth straight victory. Bush (7-9) won his third start in a row against Washington, allowing five hits in 6 1/3 innings. He walked two, struck out six and left with a 4-1 lead.

PIRATES 7, METS 5: Steve Pearce hit a two-out, two-run single in the ninth inning and visiting Pittsburgh beat New York. The Mets led 5-1 when Pedro Martinez left after six innings, but five relievers couldn't preserve the edge.

Astros 3, Giants 1: Brandon Backe threw seven effective innings, Ty Wigginton homered and drove in three runs, and host Houston beat San Francisco for its fifth straight win. Backe (7-11) allowed a run and four hits.

Cardinals 4, Marlins 2: Yadier Molina hit a two-run homer, Joel Pineiro pitched seven strong innings and visiting St. Louis beat Florida. Pineiro (5-5) allowed two runs — one earned — and seven hits.