Yanks Watch Score In Wild Card Battle
American League
The Yankees knew the California Angels, their wild card rival, had lost to the Seattle Mariners before Tuesday night’s game in Milwaukee Brewers in front of 44,574 empty seats at County Stadium. The score constantly lit on the scoreboard in right field reminded them that this was an important night.
It almost became an unfortunate night after manager Buck Showalter replaced Sterling Hitchcock to start the eighth inning with the Yankees leading 5-2. Three relievers, four singles and one walk later, John Wetteland was summoned with two outs and runners standing on first and third because the Brewers had trimmed the lead to 5-4. The importance of this game and the pressure involved had increased.
Wetteland saved his fellow relievers, saved the Yankees and saved the day by striking out pinch-hitter David Hulse in the eighth and recording the last three outs in the ninth to preserve the win.
“It’s nice to finally be able to control our playoff situation a little bit,” Showalter said before the victory. “We know if we win our last five games, we’ll at least be in a tie. But you can’t get caught up in the mathematics too much, either. You still have to focus on the game you’re playing and try to win.”
White Sox 7, Royals 0
Kansas City, Mo.
Alex Fernandez, staked to a 6-0 lead after one inning, pitched a six-hitter and notched his career-best seventh straight victory as Chicago beat Kansas City.
Fernandez (12-8), 7-0 in his last 10 outings, struck out six and walked two.
New York’s win over Milwaukee eliminated the Royals from the playoffs.
Twins 13, Indians 4
Minneapolis
Mike Trombley gave Minnesota its third consecutive strong start and Marty Cordova homered, doubled and drove in three runs to lead Minnesota to victory over Cleveland.
Sandy Alomar homered twice and Albert Belle hit his 47th for the A.L. Central champion Indians, who need to win their five remaining games to reach 100 victories. The 13 runs were the most allowed by Cleveland this season.
Red Sox 5, Tigers 1
Boston
Zane Smith, trying to win a spot on Boston’s playoff roster, went eight solid innings and John Valentin was 3 for 4 with a three-run homer, leading the Eastern Division champs to a victory over Detroit.
Orioles 5, Blue Jays 0
Toronto
Mike Mussina threw a five-hitter for his league-leading 18th victory as Baltimore beat Toronto.
Mussina (18-9) is tied with Greg Maddux of Atlanta for the major-league lead in wins and has one more than David Cone of the Yankees, who pitches today.
Rangers 7, Athletics 6
Arlington, Texas
Third baseman Dean Palmer was in Texas’ starting lineup for the first time since early June but he left the Rangers’ victory over Oakland under the same circumstances as the original injury.
Palmer tore a left biceps tendon on a swing on June 3 and was thought to be lost for the season. He went 2 for 3 against the Athletics, but left the game in the eighth inning right after he swung and felt pain in the same area.
Legislature at work
Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, along with the Assembly speaker and lobbyists are working to round up the handful of votes needed to give the Brewers the new stadium they say they need to stay in Wisconsin.