Twins end Yankees streak

Suppan pitched well for the Royals

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American League

The Minnesota Twins now boast the second best record in the Major League after their 2-1 victory over world champions the New York Yankees.

The Yankees' three-game winning streak ended as Brad Radke tossed a six-hitter and Doug Mientkiewicz homered and drove in two runs for the Twins.

Off to the best start in their history, Minnesota (18-6) lead the American League Central by 3½ games after the season's first month.

However, throughout the contest the Metrodome faithful taunted New York left fielder Chuck Knoblauch, a former Twin who helped the team win the 1991 world title.

There was no happy return for Knoblauch

Radke (5-0) improved to 3-8 lifetime against the Yankees, defeating them in the Metrodome for the first time.

He walked one and became just the second pitcher in team history to record five April victories.

Mike Sweeney helped the Kansas City Royals extend their winning streak to three games with a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Sweeney smacked a homer and drove in a pair of runs and Jeff Suppan pitched effectively into the eighth inning.

This season, Sweeney has already hit six homers against the Blue Jays.

"I don't think it has anything to do with the Toronto pitching staff," Sweeney said. "I think it just happens that when I face the Jays, I'm getting some pitches to hit."

Brady Anderson's lead-off homer lifted the Baltimore Orioles to a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Anderson belted his 203rd career home run off of Paul Wilson to put Baltimore ahead for good.

He went 2-for-4 with two RBI and trails Rickey Henderson by 34 for the all-time lead in lead-off homers on 44.

Starter Willis Roberts won his third straight start to improve to 4-0, allowing three runs and four hits in six innings.

National League

The New York Mets recovered from Sunday's 12-1 drubbing by St Louis to defeat the Houston Astros 8-2.

Piazza bagged a three-run homer

Mike Piazza belted a three-run homer in a five-run sixth innings as the Mets began a six-game home series.

Piazza blasted his fourth homer in the last five games, while Steve Trachsel (1-4) tossed six strong innings to enjoy his best outing of the season, allowing just one run, six hits, a walk and seven strikeouts.

Lance Berkman smacked his sixth homer for the Astros, who have lost four of their last five games.

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Monday's MLB results:
(Home teams first)

American League

Toronto Blue Jays 3-6 Kansas City Royals
Baltimore Orioles 5-1 Tampa Bay
Minnesota Twins 2-1 New York Yankees

National League

New York Mets 8-2 Houston Astros