Out to prove their 1-6 record in April against the Boston Red Sox was a fluke, the New York Yankees roughed up their bitter rival.

''After the way they manhandled us the first time, you're wondering how you stack up,'' New York manager Joe Torre said.

On Tuesday, the Yankees left no doubt.

Gary Sheffield hit a three-run homer, Tony Clark hit a drive into the center-field bleachers, and New York took advantage of three Boston errors to rout the visiting Red Sox 11-3 in front of 55,231 fans, including Vice President Dick Cheney.

Roles were reversed in the Bronx on Tuesday as the Yankees opened a 6 1/2-game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East. In April, they fell 4 1/2 back of Boston after being swept in a three-game series.

''We were jacked up for this one,'' Sheffield said.

Sheffield and Clark homered off Derek Lowe after the Red Sox committed errors, raising their total to a major league-leading 58.

Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who missed the April games with Achilles' tendinitis, allowed Derek Jeter's two-out grounder in the fourth to kick off the heel of his glove for his second error of the game. Sheffield followed with a three-run homer.

After second baseman Pokey Reese bobbled Jorge Posada's fifth-inning grounder, failing to help turn what would have been an inning-ending double play, Clark hit a two-run homer.

''There were just too many mistakes out there,'' Johnny Damon said.

Damon homered off Javier Vazquez on the second pitch of the game and added another in the third to give Boston a 2-1 lead. But the Yankees went up 4-2 in the bottom half when Kenny Lofton reached on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly, and Hideki Matsui hit a tiebreaking two-run single. It came one pitch after Jeter and Alex Rodriguez pulled off a double steal.

''That's just some of the little things that help you win games,'' Jeter said. ''You pick your spots.''

Lowe (6-7) allowed a career-high nine runs, although just five were earned.

Vazquez (9-5) lost twice to Boston in April. This time, he matched his season best with eight strikeouts, allowing three runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Athletics 5, Angels 4

In Oakland, Calif., Bobby Crosby hit a go-ahead two-run single in the seventh to help Mark Mulder (10-2) win his eighth straight decision.

Octavio Dotel pitched a perfect ninth for his first save in two opportunities with his new team.

Brendan Donnelly (1-1) was the loser.

Mariners 4, Rangers 3

In Seattle, Rich Aurilia hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and Joel Pineiro won his third straight decision.

Trailing 3-1, the Mariners got a sacrifice fly from Bret Boone before Aurilia homered to beat Joaquin Benoit (2-3).

Pineiro (4-8) pitched seven innings and struck out a season-high nine. Eddie Guardado got hit 15th save.

Blue Jays 4, Devil Rays 0

In St. Petersburg, Fla., Ted Lilly (7-4) didn't allow a run over six-plus innings to win his fifth straight road decision and Eric Hinske stole home for Toronto.

Hinske stole home on the front end of a double steal during a two-run first as the Blue Jays sent the Devil Rays to only their third loss in 19 games. Josh Phelps homered for Toronto.

White Sox 6, Twins 2

In Minneapolis, Mark Buehrle pitched eight sharp innings to beat Minnesota once again, leading Chicago into first place in the AL Central.

Buehrle (8-2) gave up eight hits and two runs while improving to 13-4 against the Twins in 18 career starts.

Jose Valentin hit a solo home run, and Juan Uribe added a two-run shot for the White Sox, who beat Carlos Silva (8-5).

Tigers 9, Indians 7 (11 innings)

In Detroit, Dmitri Young's two-run homer in the 11th inning gave the Tigers their season-high fifth straight victory.

It was the Tigers' third straight game-ending home run. Eric Munson's solo shot in the ninth beat Arizona on Saturday, and Carlos Pena's grand slam in the ninth led the Tigers past the Diamondbacks the next day.

Craig Dingman (2-1) pitched a perfect 11th, beating Jose Jimenez (1-7).

Royals 4, Orioles 3

In Kansas City, Mo., Desi Relaford had a decisive RBI double in the sixth inning, and the Royals ended a five-game losing streak.

Rookie Mike Wood (1-0) earned his first victory since coming over in the three-team trade last Thursday that sent Carlos Beltran to Houston. Shawn Camp pitched the ninth for his first major league save.

Sidney Ponson (3-11) took his eighth straight loss.