Cone’s Return Overshadows Yankees Win

American League

The New York Yankees clinched a playoff spot Saturday, yet they had something even more special to celebrate: David Cone, it appears, is OK.

Cone, sidelined for a month because of tendinitis in his right shoulder, pitched five encouraging innings and the Yankees ensured a postseason berth with a 4-3, 11-inning, rain-spattered win over Toronto in New York.

The Yankees, who also welcomed back catcher Joe Girardi after a two-week absence, won it on Derek Jeter’s bases-loaded walk.

New York, trailing Baltimore by five games in the A.L. East and likely to wind up as the wild card, will make its third straight postseason appearance, its best stretch since 1976-78.

If he checks out fine today, Cone will get one more start in the regular season, probably Thursday at Cleveland. Then if the A.L. standings hold, Cone would be ready to face the Indians in the first round of the playoffs, likely pitching Game 1 on Sept. 30.

Orioles 12, Tigers 8 Baltimore

Chris Hoiles, Mike Bordick and B.J. Surhoff each homered in a nine-run second inning as Baltimore moved one step closer to its first division title since 1983.

The Orioles won for only the sixth time in 15 games, but reduced their magic number to clinch the A.L. East to three.

Eric Davis, who returned from the disabled list Monday following a three-month absence due to colon cancer, doubled in the second inning for his first hit in 11 at-bats since being activated. He went 2 for 3 with three RBIs and the Orioles said he will be on their postseason roster.

Royals 5, Indians 2 Kansas City, Mo.

First, Cleveland lost starter John Smiley in a freak accident when he broke his left arm while preparing to start.

Then the Indians lost to Kansas City. Johnny Damon hit a tie-breaking triple in the eighth, keeping Cleveland’s magic number for clinching the A.L. Central at four.

Smiley, a left-hander sidelined since Aug. 30 because of tendinitis in his pitching shoulder and elbow, screamed after delivering a curveball in the bullpen. He was rushed to a hospital, where X-rays revealed a fractured bone between the elbow and shoulder.

White Sox 6, Red Sox 4 Boston

Nomar Garciaparra became the first Boston rookie to reach 200 hits since Johnny Pesky in 1942, but Ozzie Guillen keyed a three-run eighth with a two-run single as Chicago beat the Red Sox.

Bret Saberhagen pitched five shutout innings in the best start of his comeback.

Angels 7, Rangers 6 Arlington, Texas

Eliminated from the wild-card race earlier in the day, Anaheim closed within five games of first in the A.L. West, rallying behind Garret Anderson and Luis Alicea to beat Texas.

Twins 6, Brewers 1 Minneapolis

Pat Meares homered and LaTroy Hawkins held Milwaukee without a hit until the sixth, leading Minnesota to victory.

Clearing the bases

Former Twin Darrin Jackson robbed Minnesota’s Ron Coomer of a grand slam with a leaping catch above the left-field fence. … Toronto pitcher Marty Janzen had to be separated from umpire Ken Kaiser after four-pitch walks to Tim Raines and Derek Jeter in New York’s decisive 11th… . Brian Hunter, who stole his 71st base, could become the first Tiger to lead the majors in steals since Ty Cobb in 1918.

Clark Griffith says he’s putting together an $80 million offer for the Twins to keep his father’s former team in Minnesota, but Twins president Jerry Bell said $80 million would be inadequate and dismissed Griffith as “a fringe player” in bidding for the team appraised at $150 million. … A fourth group of investors, led by Kansas City businessman Frank Oddo, has come forward to say it wants to buy the Royals. Other groups include one headed by former Royals player George Brett and his brother Bobby, who own the Spokane Indians.