Banner day for Vizquel, Cleveland
With the largest loss in their history, the New York Yankees’ lead was cut to 3 1/2 games, their August slump beginning to resemble a free fall.
Omar Vizquel went 6 for 7 to tie the A.L. record for hits in a regulation game, and the Cleveland Indians routed New York 22-0 Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.
Javier Vazquez was knocked out in the second inning, Cleveland took a 15-0 lead in the fifth and Jody Gerut and Victor Martinez hit three-run homers off Esteban Loaiza in the ninth. To make it worse for New York, owner George Steinbrenner was on hand to watch.
New York had never lost by more than 18 runs, falling 24-6 at Cleveland on July 29, 1928, and 19-1 at home against Detroit on June 17, 1925. Previously, the Yankees’ biggest shutout loss was 15-0 at home against the Chicago White Sox on May 4, 1950.
Jake Westbrook (12-6) improved to 6-1 in his last nine starts, allowing five hits in seven innings.
Cleveland, which had season highs for runs and hits (22), set a team record for largest shutout win, topping its 19-0 rout of Boston on May 18, 1955.
Vazquez (13-8) gave up six runs, and the Indians then scored seven off Tanyon Sturtze and three against C.J. Nitkowski.
The Yankees have lost four consecutive games at home for the first time since May 22-26, 2003.
Cubs acquire two players
The Chicago Cubs made a pair of trades, getting outfielder Ben Grieve from the Milwaukee Brewers and acquiring backup catcher Mike DiFelice from the Detroit Tigers.
The deals came on the final day for teams to obtain players and have them be eligible for postseason rosters.
Chicago sent a minor league player to be named and cash to the Brewers for Grieve, who recently returned to full strength after a nagging calf injury cut into his playing time in right field. The Cubs gave up a player to be named for DiFelice.
Ankiel set to return to Cardinals
Rick Ankiel’s return to the major leagues might not be just a September cameo.
The left-hander, who’ll be activated from the 15-day disabled list today, has been impressive enough during his rehab from reconstructive elbow surgery that he’ll be considered for the St. Louis Cardinals’ postseason roster.
Manager Tony La Russa said he’d use Ankiel, who last pitched in the majors in 2001, in relief or use him as a spot starter to rest members of the rotation heading into the playoffs.
Asked if Ankiel, 25, were a candidate to pitch in the postseason, La Russa replied: “Yeah, sure, absolutely.”
Yankees to activate Karsay
Reliever Steve Karsay will be activated by the Yankees today after missing nearly two seasons because of injuries.
The 32-year-old right-hander hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since the end of the 2002 season. He had back surgery to repair a herniated disc in November 2002, then hurt his right shoulder while rehabilitating and needed an operation in May 2003 to fix a partial tear of his rotator cuff.
“We can’t assume that Karsay is going to slip right in there in the seventh inning of a pennant race after he hasn’t pitched in over a year,” said Yankees manager Joe Torre.
Clearing the bases
Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford was out of the starting lineup against Baltimore because of a sore right shoulder. Manager Lou Piniella said Crawford will undergo an MRI today. … Milwaukee lefty Doug Davis was hit on his pitching arm by a line drive in the second inning against Pittsburgh, forcing him to leave the game. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury. … Boston bought the contract of minor-league catcher Sandy Martinez from Cleveland just hours before the deadline for postseason rosters. The Indians will receive an undisclosed amount of cash. … Top Arizona draft pick Stephen Drew decided to withdraw from classes at Florida State and continue contract negotiations with the team.