White Sox Rebound To Clobber Orioles

American League

Alex Fernandez pitched a three-hitter as the Chicago White Sox denied Mike Mussina his 20th victory and averted a sweep by beating Baltimore 11-3 Thursday night, ending the Orioles’ five-game winning streak.

The victory in Baltimore moved Chicago within a half-game of Baltimore in the wild-card race and dropped the Orioles 3-1/2 games behind the New York Yankees in the A.L. East.

Fernandez (14-9) struck out 10 and walked two to improve to 3-0 against the Orioles this season. He has five of Chicago’s six complete games.

Mussina, vying to become a 20-game winner for the first time, didn’t make it out of the fourth inning.

Brewers 15, Rangers 4 Arlington, Texas

Fernando Vina went 5 for 6 with two homers and a triple, and Ben McDonald won for the first time in two months as Milwaukee routed Texas.

McDonald (11-10) gave up two runs and seven hits over eight innings and improved to 6-0 lifetime at Texas. He had lost his previous seven decisions, with his last win coming July 12 against Toronto.

Twins 4, Athletics 3 (12) Minneapolis

Pat Meares hit a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning to score Roberto Kelly, lifting Minnesota past Oakland.

Kelly doubled off Mike Mohler (5-3) to lead off the 12th and advanced on a groundout. Oakland center fielder Ernie Young made a sliding catch on Meares’ fly ball, but dropped it when he tried to throw, allowing Kelly to score the game-winner. Paul Molitor went 1 for 5 to move within six hits of 3,000.

Yankees 12, Tigers 3 Detroit

Bernie Williams drove in eight runs, including a grand slam off the facing of the third deck and a three-run homer, and New York completed a three-game sweep of Detroit.

David Cone (6-2) once again overcame a shaky start. He allowed three runs in the first three innings, but no more before leaving after the seventh with a 5-3 lead.

Indians 11, Angels 2 Cleveland

Jim Thome and Julio Franco each homered twice and Albert Belle hit his 45th homer, powering Cleveland past California.

The three connected in succession against Greg Gohr in the seventh inning for the Indians, who completed a four-game sweep and cut their magic number for winning a second straight A.L. Central title to eight.

Clearing the bases

Kansas City, trying to build a youthful team around strong pitchers, signed Tim Belcher to a two-year contract… . California Angels interim manager John McNamara, hospitalized last month because of a blood clot in his right calf, will rejoin the team today in Kansas City.