NEW YORK — Just when the slumping New York Yankees got Alex Rodriguez back, Derek Jeter went down with an injury that nearly led to a brawl with Baltimore.

Adam Jones hit a three-run double during Baltimore's seven-run first inning against Mike Mussina, and the Orioles routed New York, 12-2, last night in a testy game that included a late homer by A-Rod in his return from the disabled list.

The Orioles took advantage of a two-out throwing error by Jeter in the first to build a big cushion for Daniel Cabrera (5-1), who handed the last-place Yankees (20-25) their season-high fourth straight loss and sixth in seven games. New York has been outscored 30-8 during the first three games of this homestand.

"I'm hoping this is rock-bottom," manager Joe Girardi said. "It's an ugly loss and you've just got to put this one aside."

Kevin Millar and Luke Scott added tack-on homers for the surprising Orioles, who have won eight of 10 after a five-game skid.

With Baltimore up 9-0 in the third, Cabrera hit Jeter on the left hand with a 2-1 pitch and the star shortstop spun away in pain. Girardi and a trainer came out to check on Jeter, who was quickly removed from the game.

X-rays were negative, and Jeter is day-to-day with a bruised hand.

In the sixth, New York reliever LaTroy Hawkins threw a pitch inside to Scott and then the next one over his head. Hawkins was immediately ejected by plate umpire Chuck Meriwether without a warning, while Scott and Hawkins began gesturing at each other.

Both benches and bullpens emptied as players spilled onto the field, but no punches were thrown.

Angels 3, Blue Jays 1: John Lackey won for the first time since Sept. 28, pitching seven strong innings to help visiting Los Angeles beat Toronto. Making his second start of the year after returning from a strained triceps, Lackey (1-0) gave up a leadoff homer to Toronto's Brad Wilkerson in the first, then blanked the Blue Jays the rest of the way.

Rays 3, Athletics 2: Scott Kazmir scraped out another impressive win thanks to a costly error by host Oakland. Left fielder Emil Brown tried to make a sliding catch on Dioner Navarro's sinking liner in the eighth inning and the ball got past him for a three-run error, sending the Rays to a victory. Kazmir (3-1) struck out a season-high eight in his fourth outing.

Tigers 12, Mariners 8: Justin Verlander struck out a season-high seven and Edgar Renteria hit one of host Detroit's four homers and matched a career high with five RBIs. Verlander (2-7) gave up one run, four hits and walked one over six innings.

Red Sox 2, Royals 1: Justin Masterson pitched 6 1/3 strong innings and host Boston beat Kansas City. Masterson (1-0) allowed one run on three hits in his second major league start.

White Sox 4, Indians 1: Jose Contreras outpitched C.C. Sabathia, and Jim Thome and Carlos Quentin hit solo homers to lift host Chicago. Contreras (5-3) allowed one run and four hits in six innings, while Sabathia (3-6) gave up two runs in seven.

Twins 11, Rangers 4: Glen Perkins pitched six scoreless innings for his first major league win and host Minnesota beat Texas. Perkins (1-1) gave up six hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Braves sweep Mets: Tom Glavine retired his last 17 batters during his first post-New York appearance against the Mets and led host Atlanta to a 6-1 victory in the opener of a day-night doubleheader. Glavine (2-1) allowed only three hits and a walk — all in the first. In the nightcap, Atlanta's Jorge Campillo (1-0) went six scoreless innings for his first major league win, a 6-2 Braves' triumph.

Phillies 1, Nationals 0: Greg Dobbs' RBI pinch-hit single in the ninth inning gave visiting Philadelphia the victory. Dobbs' hit kept Philadelphia from being shut out in consecutive games for the first time since Sept. 11-12, 1999.

Giants 6, Rockies 5: Tim Lincecum pitched six effective innings, Rich Aurilia had three hits, including a solo homer, and visiting San Francisco snapped a season-high six-game skid. Lincecum (6-1) gave up three runs and scattered five hits.

Marlins 3, Diamondbacks 2: Dan Uggla hit his 14th home run and Kevin Gregg escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning to help host Florida over Arizona. Jeremy Hermida and Luis Gonzalez had two-out RBIs for the Marlins.

Brewers 7, Pirates 2: Manny Parra (2-2) pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and Mike Cameron and Corey Hart homered to help visiting Milwaukee snap a five-game losing streak.

Astros 4, Cubs 2: Hunter Pence had three hits, including his second career grand slam, for host Houston. Pence also had a single and a double and has 18 RBIs in the last 18 games.

Padres 3, Cardinals 2: Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a three-run homer in the sixth for host San Diego. The Padres' Bryan Corey (1-0) allowed one hit in two scoreless innings.

Dodgers 4, Reds 1: Chad Billingsley (4-5) pitched seven scoreless innings and singled home a run, sending visiting Cincinnati to its eighth straight loss at Chavez Ravine.