CC Sabathia earned his first complete-game win of the MLB season as the New York Yankees moved 2.5 games clear at the top of the American League East division.
Sabathia allowed just seven hits in nine innings as the Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano with home runs along the way.
Nearest challengers the Baltimore Orioles were sunk by a one-hitter from New York Mets pitcher RA Dickey, whose side powered to a 5-0 win on the back of an Ike Davis Grand Slam in the sixth.
In the Central division, the Cleveland Indians closed the gap on the Chicago White Sox, who were hammered 12-3 by city rivals the Cubs.
Bryan LaHair, Starlin Castro, Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto and Luis Valbuena all homered as the Cubs defied their struggled in the National League Central.
The Indians edged out the Cincinnati Reds 10-9 as Jay Bruce scored Michael Brantley in the top of the ninth.
AL West leaders the Texas Rangers beat the San Diego Padres 2-1, all the runs coming in the first inning.
The second-placed Los Angeles Angels were beaten 5-3 by the San Francisco Giants, with Matt Cain (9-2) again in impressive form.
Wade Miley pitched seven innings of one-run ball as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Seattle Mariners 7-1, the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 9-7 and the Milwaukee Brewers saw off the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6.