Avery Works Jinx On Indians Again

American League

Steve Avery continued his mastery of Cleveland, allowing three hits in six innings as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Indians 8-2 Tuesday night in Cleveland.

Avery (2-1) struck out three, walked five and allowed one run - the identical pitching line he had in a Game 4 victory over Cleveland in the 1995 World Series, when the left-hander was with the Atlanta Braves.

He retired 11 straight in the third through sixth innings to beat the Indians for the second time this season and third time in his career.

Nomar Garciaparra went 4 for 4 with three runs and hit the first pitch of the game for a solo homer off Chad Ogea (2-2).

The Red Sox snapped a six-game losing streak in Cleveland and improved to 2-1 against the Indians this year after going 1-11 last season. Butch Henry pitched three innings for his third save.

Twins 5, Athletics 3

Oakland, Calif.

Ron Coomer’s three-run double broke up a scoreless game and Minnesota defeated Oakland to celebrate catcher Terry Steinbach’s return to Oakland.

Denny Hocking added his first homer of the year for the Twins and Steinbach, returning to the stadium that was his home park for a decade, doubled to start Minnesota’s four-run fifth.

Orioles 3, Chisox 2

Baltimore

Mike Mussina (3-1) allowed two runs and seven hits with one walk in seven innings to earn his second win for Baltimore against Chicago in five days. He pitched eight scoreless innings Thursday, outdueling Danny Darwin in a 1-0 victory.

Yanks 10, Brewers 2

New York

Andy Pettitte pitched a six-hitter for his fourth win and New York scored eight runs in the fifth inning en route to a rout of Milwaukee.

Pettitte (4-0) threw his first complete game in five starts, walking one and striking out two.

Blue Jays 7, Angels 6

Anaheim, Calif.

Carlos Garcia’s two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning gave visiting Toronto a victory over Anaheim.

Clearing the bases

Former New York Yankees left-hander Steve Howe is hoping to revive his baseball career with the minor-league Sioux Falls Canaries. … The Cleveland Indians placed center fielder Marquis Grissom on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. … Cecil Fielder of the Yankees has more at-bats - 82 - than any player in the majors who is yet to hit a home run this season.