Mattingly’s Homer Caps Yankees Win

American League

The only things flipped off at Yankee Stadium on Sunday were hundreds of free caps that the fans littered the field with after Don Mattingly hit a two-run homer that led New York to a 11-4 victory over Texas.

While Mattingly was the focus of the fans’ affection, Jack McDowell was treated tolerably by the crowd of 32,765 in his first appearance since twirling his middle finger in an obscene gesture at fans last Tuesday after a poor outing.

McDowell (8-6) heard a brief chorus of boos when his name was announced before the game, but that was the only negative reaction he received. He went six innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs with two walks and six strikeouts.

It was the fifth straight win for New York, which moved within 5-1/2 games of first-place Boston.

Instead of it being an occasion for the fans to vent their anger, the Yankees gave them reason to cheer. Mattingly’s third homer of the year brought a standing ovation, chants of “Don-nie, Don-nie” a curtain call from the team captain and a brief delay to pick up all the caps.

Angels 13, Tigers 2

Anaheim, Calif.

Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds and Rex Hudler each hit home runs as California notched to its ninth win in 11 games.

Mark Langston (9-1) won his sixth straight decision. He remained undefeated in 10 starts since June 4, striking out six in 7-2/3 innings.

White Sox 11, Brewers 6

Chicago

A day after managers Terry Bevington and Phil Garner grappled, Chicago and Milwaukee had more trouble when Brewers reliever Jamie McAndrew was ejected for hitting a batter.

In the top of the eighth, Chicago reliever Kirk McCaskill’s first pitch to Kevin Seitzer was at his head and knocked him down.

In the bottom half, McAndrew hit Craig Grebeck on the side with his first pitch and was immediately tossed by plate umpire Mike Reilly. Neither bench emptied, nor did Garner argue for a long time with Reilly.

Indians 2, Athletics 0

Oakland, Calif.

Cleveland beat Oakland for the 13th straight time as Mark Clark and two relievers combined on a six-hitter.

Paul Sorrento hit a two-out, two-run single in the fourth inning off Ariel Prieto (1-3). The Indians are 10-1 since the All-Star break, and have won six in a row overall, all on the road.

Orioles 6, Royals 2

Kansas City, Mo.

Mike Mussina, bombed by Kansas City 10 days earlier in the shortest outing of his career, pitched a six-hitter over eight innings and became the second A.L. pitcher with 11 wins as Baltimore beat the Royals.

Mussina (11-5) struck out six and walked none and won his fifth straight as the Orioles beat Tom Gordon (6-7) and took two out of three from the Royals for their 17th win in 27 games.

Twins 8, Red Sox 3

Boston

Roger Clemens was rocked for eight runs in 1 innings as Minnesota downed Boston.

Clemens (3-3) gave up nine hits and walked two. He will undergo an MRI at a hospital today.

Clearing the bases

The condition of Detroit’s Cecil Fielder, who has missed five straight game with back spasms, will be re-evaluated today… . Chicago pitcher Jason Bere, who missed his last start because of soreness in his bicep, is on schedule to pitch Tuesday.