White Sox hold AL Central lead

Liriano carries no-hitter into seventh inning.

Francisco Liriano took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, Paul Konerko homered and drove in three runs Saturday, and the White Sox stayed on top of the AL Central with a 5-3 victory over the host Twins.

Liriano (6-11) was tremendous against his former team, allowing only a two-out homer in the seventh to Trevor Plouffe. He walked two, hit a batter and struck out nine in seven innings.

Acquired from the Twins on July 28, the victory was Liriano’s third for the White Sox and his first against Minnesota.

Yankees 5, Rays 3: Ivan Nova was sharp in his return from a shoulder injury and the host Yankees got back-to-back home runs from Curtis Granderson and Eduardo Nunez in a victory over Rays.

Tigers 5, Indians 3: Anibal Sanchez took a nohitter into the seventh inning as Detroit beat the host Indians despite the Tigers having a run taken off the scoreboard.

Carlos Santana ruined Sanchez’s no-hit bid with a two-out triple in the seventh, but Cleveland was officially eliminated from the playoffs after falling to 16-45 since the AllStar break. Starter Justin Masterson (11-14) took the loss.

Sanchez (3-5) struck out seven over 6 ⅔ innings as Detroit stayed one game behind the first place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central with its fourth straight win.

Red Sox 3, Blue Jays 2: Pedro Ciriaco drove in the tiebreaking run with a two-out double in the ninth inning Saturday, Cody Ross hit a solo shot and the Red Sox won their second straight, beating the host Blue Jays.

After stranding runners at third base three times in the previous five innings, the Red Sox finally broke through in the ninth.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia led off with a double against Steve Delabar (4-2).

Royals 3, Angels 2: Ernesto Frieri needed just four pitches to ruin a spectacular start by Zack Greinke, giving up two home runs in the ninth inning as the host Royals rallied to hand the playoff-contending Angels a stunning loss.

Frieri (3-1) replaced Greinke with one out in the ninth after Alex Gordon singled. Billy Butler homered to center on Frieri’s first pitch to tie the score. Three pitches later, Salvador Perez homered off the left-field pole for his first walkoff homer.

The Angels entered 2½ games back of Baltimore and New York for the second wild-card spot.

Greinke gave up just five singles, walked two and struck out three in 8 ⅓ innings. He has al-