Cruz Hits Homer In Winning Debut

Jose Cruz Jr., traded Thursday by Seattle, hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning of his Toronto debut Friday to lead the Blue Jays to a 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

“I’m dead-tired. I’m just going to go back to the hotel and try to catch up on some sleep,” Cruz said.

Otis Nixon hit his ninth career homer and Joe Carter also homered for the Blue Jays, who ended a six-game losing streak. The Blue Jays had scored nine runs during the skid.

Cruz struck out his first two at-bats against Brian Moehler before hitting his 13th homer into the upper deck in right off reliever Dan Miceli.

Indians 8, Rangers 5

Arlington, Texas

Matt Williams hit two of Cleveland’s five home runs and the Indians stopped a four-game losing streak.

Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome and Tony Fernandez also homered as the Indians sent Texas to its fourth consecutive defeat.

Yankees 8, Twins 3

New York

Bernie Williams, playing his first game since July 14, hit an RBI double and a single that led Andy Pettitte to victory.

Pettitte (13-6) allowed a career-high 13 hits.

Angels 9, White Sox 1

Anaheim, Calif.

Anaheim moved into first place in the A.L. West when Tim Salmon drove in four runs and Darin Erstad knocked in three.

Allen Watson (9-6) scattered eight hits in eight innings. He struck out seven, walked three and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth for his first home victory since June 4.

Athletics 2, Orioles 1

Oakland, Calif.

Matt Stairs singled home pinch-runner Steve Karsay with none out in the bottom of the ninth.

T.J Mathews (1-0), making his A.L. debut after being acquired in the trade for Mark McGwire, pitched 1-2/3 scoreless innings for the victory.

Red Sox 10, Royals 3

Kansas City, Mo.

Mo Vaughn, Mike Stanley and Nomar Garciaparra hit home runs as Boston notched its first victory of the season over Kansas City.

Left-hander Steve Avery (5-2) went five innings for Boston, which had lost five straight to the Royals this year and 11 of 13 dating back to last season.

Clearing the bases

Tim Salmon of Anaheim was chosen as the A.L. player of the month for July while teammate Chuck Finley and Minnesota’s Brad Radke shared the league’s pitching award. … Bret Saberhagen pitched 3-1/3 hitless innings in his second rehab start, leading Trenton to an 8-3 victory over Akron in Eastern League play. Saberhagen, pitching for the Red Sox’ Double A team, threw 51 pitches, 32 for strikes, struck out five and did not allow a run.