Cleveland’s Cliff Lee and Oakland’s Rich Harden showed why they’re considered aces of the American League.

Tampa Bay’s Matt Garza topped them both on Thursday.

Garza pitched a one-hitter, allowing only a leadoff homer in the seventh inning to Hanley Ramirez, as the Rays defeated the Florida Marlins 6-1 to complete a three-game sweep.

“The heat was coming from that 94, 95 mph he was throwing with movement,” Florida’s Luis Gonzalez said. “He was pinpointing his pitches; throwing in, out, up, down, everything.”

Garza (6-4) struck out 10 and walked one in his first complete game in 38 major league starts. He faced the minimum 18 batters through six innings.

At Miami, Ramirez’s line-drive homer was the only hard-hit ball for Florida, which broke bats and popped up bloopers against the fast-working Garza. The pitch, a slider off the plate, was a ball most hitters wouldn’t swing at, Garza said.

The homer kept Tampa Bay one of four teams that has never thrown a no-hitter, joined by the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Garza was unlucky, with Ramirez swinging at a pitch out of the strike zone.

“That wasn’t a bad pitch,” Maddon said. “If you look at that sucker, that was barely off the ground. That just speaks to his hitting ability. If you want to make that pitch 10 out of 10 times, we’ll take it. That was just a good piece of hitting right there.”

Evan Longoria homered and had three hits for the Rays, who swept their Sunshine State rival for just the second time.

Indians 4, Giants 1

Lee (11-1) struck out a career-high 11 over eight innings, and the Indians avoided a three-game sweep by the visiting San Francisco Giants with a 4-1 win.

“It’s not like I’m surprising myself because I’ve always had confidence in my ability,” said Lee, who endured his first losing season a year ago when he went 5-8 and was sent back to the minors to regain his command.

Eight of Lee’s victories have come after Cleveland losses, one halting a seven-game streak. He has ended three-game slides four times.

Lee allowed one run and four hits as the Indians finally beat the Giants in Cleveland. Cleveland came in 0-4 at home in the series, including two losses in a four-game sweep in the 1954 World Series when the Giants still called New York home.

Lee has allowed two or fewer runs in 11 of his 15 starts this season.

Jamey Carroll and Jhonny Peralta drove in two runs apiece to support Lee.

Athletics 5, Phillies 0

Harden (5-0) also fanned a career-high 11 in eight dominant innings to lead the host Athletics over Philadelphia 5-0. He allowed two hits in his longest outing since April 2006.

In Oakland, Harden (5-0) retired his first 14 batters before Shane Victorino singled cleanly into center field. Victorino got Philadelphia’s other hit off Harden, an infield single with one out in the eighth.

“I’ve had games where I’ve felt better,” Harden said. “In the past I’ve always had that one inning when I’d lose command suddenly. I want to get away from that. I was able to locate pitches and I felt good.”

Harden’s previous best for strikeouts was 10 against Tampa Bay on Aug. 31, 2003. He is the first A’s pitcher to start a season 5-0 since Billy Koch in 2002, and he improved to 18-3 in 29 starts when pitching at least seven innings.

“I can’t think of a more dominating performance than that one,” A’s manager Bob Geren said. “When he’s on, he’s almost unhittable.”

Carlos Gonzalez homered for Oakland, which has won three of its past four series.

Tigers 3, Cardinals 2, 10 innings

At Detroit, Clete Thomas drew a bases-loaded walk in the 10th inning to give the Tigers a win over St. Louis, spoiling Albert Pujols’ return for the Cardinals.

Pujols, in his first game back from the disabled list, hit an RBI single in the ninth to give the Cardinals the lead. But Gary Sheffield, who also returned Tuesday from the disabled list, answered with a solo homer for Detroit in the bottom of the inning.

Pujols, who missed 13 games with a calf injury, was 4-for-4 with an intentional walk.

Orioles 11, Cubs 4

At Chicago, Aubrey Huff had four hits and two RBIs, Jay Payton drove in three runs and Baltimore became the second team to win a series at Wrigley Field this season.

Brian Roberts had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 13 games as Baltimore roughed up Jason Marquis (6-4), who hadn’t lost in his previous seven starts.

Radhames Liz (2-0) held the Cubs to four hits and two runs in five-plus innings.

White Sox 2, Dodgers 0

At Los Angeles, John Danks pitched six sharp innings and combined with four relievers for a five-hitter.

Danks (5-4) allowed four hits and issued a season-high four walks. Bobby Jenks pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 17th save.

Twins 4, Padres 3

At San Diego, Justin Morneau went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, and the Twins beat the Padres to win their ninth straight game, all against the NL.

Twins starter Scott Baker (4-2) got his first big league hit and scored his first run while holding the Padres to three runs and six hits in six innings. Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save.

Blue Jays 7, Reds 1

At Toronto, Scott Rolen hit a two-run homer off Edinson Volquez and Jesse Litsch (8-4) pitched eight sharp innings.

Volquez (10-3) entered with a major league-best 1.71 ERA, but was tagged for a season-high seven runs — five earned — and six hits in 4 1-3 innings, his shortest start of the season.

Astros 7, Rangers 2

At Houston, Wandy Rodriguez (3-3) pitched eight solid innings and tied a career high with nine strikeouts.

Hunter Pence had a bases-clearing triple to help the Astros to a 2-1 series win over their state rivals.

Texas starter Kevin Millwood (5-4) allowed 12 hits and seven runs — tying his season high in both categories — in five innings.