Gardner lined a 3-and-1 pitch over the fence in right-center for the Yankees’ first hit, a two-run drive with one out in the third.
Tigers 8, White Sox 1 - Justin Verlander took a shutout into the eighth inning as host Detroit pushed Chicago 6 ½ games back in the AL Central.
Austin Jackson had three hits, including a two-run homer, while Jhonny Peralta added a three-run double in a five-run fifth.
Verlander (21-5) improved to 19-2 since May 1, allowing one run on seven hits in 7 ⅓ innings. He walked one and struck out six in Jim Leyland’s 500th win as Tigers manager.
“Give credit where it is due: Justin Verlander has 104 of those wins, and he gave us another great performance tonight,’’ Leyland said. “So let’s forget about Jim Leyland and talk about Justin Verlander.’’
Phillies 5, Marlins 3 - In Miami, John Mayberry drove in three runs with a homer and a sacrifice fly as Philadelphia (88-46) won its fifth straight to climb 42 games above .500 for the first time.
After the game - in which the Marlins walked six, threw three wild pitches, and committed two errors - Florida manager Jack McKeon blasted his last-place team.
“I’m getting tired of looking at this stuff,’’ McKeon said. “We’re better than that. It’s time to wake up. The fans deserve better, the organization deserves better. On the other hand, maybe they can’t play. Maybe they’re not good enough.’’
Rockies 3, Padres 0 - Kevin Millwood, making his fifth start for visiting Colorado after being released by the Red Sox Aug. 10, pitched seven strong innings and Troy Tulowitzki drove in two runs to lead the Rockies over San Diego.
Millwood (2-1) allowed seven singles, including three infield singles, with eight strikeouts and no walks. He combined with two relievers to hand San Diego its majors-leading 18th shutout.
Dodgers 8, Braves 6 - James Loney’s three-run double was the key hit in a five-run seventh inning for visiting Los Angeles as the streaking Dodgers rallied after trailing by five runs to beat Atlanta.
Indians 5, Royals 4 - Justin Masterson (11-8) worked seven strong innings as visiting Cleveland equaled last year’s win total.
