Pettitte, Strawberry Help Yankees Sweep

American League

The New York Yankees completed their first four-game sweep in Baltimore since 1955, beating the Orioles 4-1 Sunday behind a solid pitching performance by Andy Pettitte.

Designated hitter Darryl Strawberry singled, doubled, stole a base and scored twice for the Yankees, who have won four straight and nine of 10. New York won all six games in Baltimore, the first time they’d won six straight on the road against the Orioles in one year.

The last time the Yankees swept a four-game series in Baltimore was when they won successive doubleheaders on Aug. 14 and 15, 41 years ago in the Orioles’ second season since moving from St. Louis, where they were the Browns.

The sweep left New York a season-high 10 games ahead of second-place Baltimore in the A.L. East. The Orioles have lost five straight.

Pettitte (14-4), the winningest pitcher in the A.L., allowed one run and six hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out three in improving to 8-0 in day games this year.

Pettitte did not pitch in the All-Star game because of some concerns about his elbow. But he looked good against the Orioles before turning over a 2-1 lead to the bullpen.

Bob Wickman worked the eighth and John Wetteland got three outs for his major league-high 33rd save.

Red Sox 6, Tigers 4

Detroit

Tim Naehring and Mo Vaughn homered and Boston won its fifth in a row, finishing off a four-game sweep over Detroit.

Boston’s winning streak is its longest of the year. The Red Sox have won nine of 10 against the Tigers this year.

Jamie Moyer (5-1) won a start for the first time since April 18. The left-hander had no-decisions in his last four starts.

White Sox 3, Royals 2

Kansas City, Mo.

Rookie James Baldwin allowed only three singles in eight-plus innings, and Danny Tartabull drove in all three runs as Chicago defeated Kansas City.

Baldwin (8-1), whose only loss was on May 13 to Milwaukee, struck out two and did not issue a walk before giving way to Roberto Hernandez, who recorded the final three outs for his 28th save.

Jays 7, Brewers 5 (10)

Milwaukee

Tomas Perez hit an RBI single in the 10th inning as Toronto spoiled Milwaukee starter Cal Eldred’s first appearance in 13 months.

Eldred allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings - just more than a year after undergoing Tommy John-style tendon replacement surgery on his right elbow - and left with the score tied at 3-3.

Twins 5, Indians 4

Minneapolis

Paul Molitor hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning, allowing Minnesota to end Cleveland’s four-game winning streak.

Athletics 9, Rangers 1

Oakland, Calif.

Scott Brosius and Matt Stairs hit solo home runs and Jason Giambi had three RBIs as Oakland batted around twice in the first three innings and went on to defeat Texas.

Clearing the bases

Oakland has homered in a season-high 10 straight games… . John Wetteland of the Yankees has saves in his last 24 appearances, extending his own major-league record… . Juan Gonzalez of the Rangers has an extra-base hit in seven straight games… . After collecting two hits, Minnesota’s Molitor stands 90 away from 3,000.