Yankees Scramble To Sign Strawberry

American League

Much debated, discussed and drawn out, Darryl Strawberry’s possible future with the New York Yankees might not be determined until today. Strawberry, executives from the San Francisco Giants and witnesses for both sides were traveling to New York Sunday for an arbitration hearing that could cement his immediate future with his former team, an element that added intrigue and uncertainty regarding his status.

Bill Goodstein, Strawberry’s agent, indicated he did not expect to complete a deal with the Yankees Sunday night because some issues remained unresolved. But the time to sign Strawberry, owner George Steinbrenner’s personal project recently, is dwindling for the Yankees.

If a hearing today determines that the Giants improperly released Strawberry last winter, he will become their property again, and the Yankees would be stymied in their bid to sign him.

A person familiar with the negotiations between Strawberry and the Yankees said a contract is being delayed because Steinbrenner is seeking money from the Giants in exchange for persuading Strawberry to drop his grievance.

Yankees 9, Indians 5

Cleveland

Jack McDowell strung two wins together for the first time all season, and Paul O’Neill homered as New York beat Cleveland.

New York won two of its three games in Cleveland, marking only the second time the Indians have lost a series this year.

Athletics 3, Royals 1

Oakland, Calif.

Right fielder Phil Hiatt dropped a fly ball and Jeff Montgomery threw a wild pitch, helping Oakland rally for three runs in the eighth inning and a victory over Kansas City.

Chris Haney shut out the A’s on four hits for seven innings, and Montgomery relieved to start the eighth with a 1-0 lead.

Angels 8, White Sox 4

Anaheim, Calif.

Chili Davis hit a three-run homer and California beat Chicago for its first home sweep of the White Sox in 11 years.

Jim Edmonds and Jorge Fabregas hit solo home runs as the Angels won for the fifth time in six games.

Blue Jays 7, Rangers 2

Toronto

Roberto Alomar hit a bases-loaded triple during a six-run fourth inning, to lead Toronto past Texas.

Starting pitcher Juan Guzman (1-2), on the disabled list earlier this season with shoulder problems, won for the first time since last Aug. 5. He pitched five innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out two.

Tigers 10, Orioles 8

Detroit

Juan Samuel drove in four runs as Detroit manager Sparky Anderson moved into third place on the career victory list with 2,158.

Lou Whitaker, Chad Curtis and John Flaherty homered as the Tigers completed a three-game sweep and won their fourth in a row.

Red Sox 4, Brewers 2

Boston

Tim Naehring’s homer highlighted a three-run rally in the seventh inning as Boston broke a three-game losing streak.

The Red Sox had scored only two runs in their previous 19 innings before bouncing back.

Clearing the bases

Boston’s Jose Canseco, who has been on the disabled list since May 17, struck out three times in the start of a two-game rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Pawtucket.