Red-Hot Yankees Beat Hapless Tigers

American League

Bernie Williams broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-run single, lifting New York to a 10-5 victory over reeling Detroit Monday night in New York, the Yankees’ seventh win in eight games.

The Tigers, who have lost four straight and 16 of 18, tied the game in the eighth when pinch-hitter Bobby Higginson hit a two-run homer off Bob Wickman.

Athletics 5, Indians 3

Oakland, Calif.

Jason Giambi had a pair of RBI doubles and Mark McGwire singled in the go-ahead run as Oakland scored three in the eighth to defeat Cleveland, ending a 13-game losing streak against the Indians.

Albert Belle hit his 12th homer for the Indians.

Royals 9, Angels 4

Anaheim, Calif.

Johnny Damon had three hits and three RBIs and Tim Belcher won his third straight decision as Kansas City beat California, ending the Angels’ six-game winning streak.

Belcher (3-1), who allowed four runs and 12 hits in 6-1/3 innings, took advantage of his teammates’ season-high 16 hits.

Cone on the shelf again

New York Yankees pitcher David Cone was scratched from his scheduled start tonight because of lingering numbness in his pitching hand and team officials sound worried.

Cone pitched a five-hitter against the Chicago White Sox last Thursday for the Yankees’ first complete game this season. He missed his start on April 28.

Cone, 33, is 4-1 this season with a 2.03 ERA after re-signing with the Yankees for $19.5 million over three years.

Clearing the bases

American League umpire Rocky Roe was granted a leave of absence to enter a health, weight loss and conditioning program, becoming the second major league umpire to do so since the death of John McSherry.