Monday, September 20, 2004
Yankees Blast Pedro in Rout of Red Sox
Mon Sep 20, 7:53 AM ET
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By The Associated Press
The New York Yankees (news) felt a renewed sense of confidence after romping past the Boston Red Sox (news) for the second game in a row.
AP Photo
"We just feel like we're the best team in baseball," outfielder Gary Sheffield said.
The Yankees certainly played that way in the last two games of the three-game series, including an 11-1 victory Sunday. New York outscored their rivals 25-5 the past two days after a deflating loss Friday night, when Mariano Rivera blew a ninth-inning lead.
"We take a lot of pride in coming back with intensity," captain Alex Rodriguez said.
Gary Sheffield, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada homered off an ineffective Pedro Martinez, and Mike Mussina gave the resilient Yankees another excellent outing as New York opened a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL East.
"They put us in the rearview mirror a little bit," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.
The Yankees have their largest lead over Boston since before games of Aug. 31. The teams play another three-game set this weekend at Fenway Park.
By then, the Red Sox might be too far back to catch New York, though they still have a 5 1/2-game lead over Anaheim in the wild-card race.
"If we get to the playoffs, believe me, we're not going to be the ones who are scared," Martinez said.
In other AL games, it was: Minnesota 5, Baltimore 1; Oakland 2, Seattle 1; Texas 1, Anaheim 0; Chicago 6, Detroit 1; Toronto 9, Tampa Bay 7; and Cleveland 8, Kansas City 3.
At New York, Mussina (12-9) allowed one run and seven hits and struck out eight in seven innings, winning his third straight start since losing a career-worst five consecutive decisions. He was sidelined from July 7 to Aug. 10 with a stiff right elbow, but has a 1.20 ERA in his last four outings spanning 30 innings.
"If I'm not at 100 percent, then I can't wait until I get there," he said.
Martinez (16-7) lasted only five-plus innings and allowed eight runs, matching a season worst.
"I wasn't actually hitting my targets and made a couple of mistakes," he said. "Some of them were good pitches that they hit. Some of the others were just my fault."
Boston lost its first series since dropping two of three Aug. 13-15 against the White Sox. The Red Sox also lost consecutive games for only the second time since Aug. 7.
"This team doesn't get demoralized. This is the Sox," first baseman Kevin Millar said. "We're family in this clubhouse and we'll be ready to roll tomorrow night."
Twins 5, Orioles 1
At Minneapolis, Johan Santana won his 11th straight start with another dominant performance, striking out a career-high 14 over eight shutout innings for Minnesota.
By winning his 12th consecutive decision, Santana (19-6) tied a Twins team record. Santana allowed seven hits and didn't walk a batter, extending his scoreless inning streak to 30.
Michael Restovich hit a two-run homer, and Luis Rivas and Henry Blanco each had solo shots for the Twins, who could clinch their third straight AL Central title with a victory Monday at Chicago against the White Sox.
Athletics 2, Mariners 1
At Seattle, Eric Chavez and Erubiel Durazo each drove in runs, and Mark Redman (11-12) outpitched Bobby Madritsch (5-3) as Oakland pulled three games ahead of Anaheim in the AL West.
Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki was hitless in four at-bats and walked, holding his season hits total at 236. With 13 games remaining, he needs 22 more to break the major league record set by George Sisler in 1920.
Rangers 1, Angels 0
At Anaheim, Calif., rookie Chris Young (2-2) allowed five hits in six innings, Kevin Mench hit a run-scoring single and the Rangers shut out the Angels for the second straight day.
It's the first time since Sept. 28-29, 1992, against Kansas City that the Angels were shut out by the same team in consecutive home games.
White Sox 6, Tigers 1
At Chicago, Paul Konerko and Carlos Lee homered, and Freddy Garcia pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning.
Garcia (12-11) allowed one run and six hits, struck out eight and walked three in 7 1-3 innings.
Blue Jays 9, Devil Rays 7
At Toronto, Vernon Wells homered in a five-run third inning and Guillermo Quiroz had two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who moved two games behind fourth-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.
Aubrey Huff and Tino Martinez homered for the Devil Rays, who are trying to avoid a last-place finish for the first time in their seven-year history.
Indians 8, Royals 3
At Cleveland, Ben Broussard hit a three-run homer to help Kyle Denney (1-1) earn his first major league win for the Indians
Mon Sep 20, 7:53 AM ET
Add Sports - AP to My Yahoo!
By The Associated Press
The New York Yankees (news) felt a renewed sense of confidence after romping past the Boston Red Sox (news) for the second game in a row.
AP Photo
"We just feel like we're the best team in baseball," outfielder Gary Sheffield said.
The Yankees certainly played that way in the last two games of the three-game series, including an 11-1 victory Sunday. New York outscored their rivals 25-5 the past two days after a deflating loss Friday night, when Mariano Rivera blew a ninth-inning lead.
"We take a lot of pride in coming back with intensity," captain Alex Rodriguez said.
Gary Sheffield, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada homered off an ineffective Pedro Martinez, and Mike Mussina gave the resilient Yankees another excellent outing as New York opened a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL East.
"They put us in the rearview mirror a little bit," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.
The Yankees have their largest lead over Boston since before games of Aug. 31. The teams play another three-game set this weekend at Fenway Park.
By then, the Red Sox might be too far back to catch New York, though they still have a 5 1/2-game lead over Anaheim in the wild-card race.
"If we get to the playoffs, believe me, we're not going to be the ones who are scared," Martinez said.
In other AL games, it was: Minnesota 5, Baltimore 1; Oakland 2, Seattle 1; Texas 1, Anaheim 0; Chicago 6, Detroit 1; Toronto 9, Tampa Bay 7; and Cleveland 8, Kansas City 3.
At New York, Mussina (12-9) allowed one run and seven hits and struck out eight in seven innings, winning his third straight start since losing a career-worst five consecutive decisions. He was sidelined from July 7 to Aug. 10 with a stiff right elbow, but has a 1.20 ERA in his last four outings spanning 30 innings.
"If I'm not at 100 percent, then I can't wait until I get there," he said.
Martinez (16-7) lasted only five-plus innings and allowed eight runs, matching a season worst.
"I wasn't actually hitting my targets and made a couple of mistakes," he said. "Some of them were good pitches that they hit. Some of the others were just my fault."
Boston lost its first series since dropping two of three Aug. 13-15 against the White Sox. The Red Sox also lost consecutive games for only the second time since Aug. 7.
"This team doesn't get demoralized. This is the Sox," first baseman Kevin Millar said. "We're family in this clubhouse and we'll be ready to roll tomorrow night."
Twins 5, Orioles 1
At Minneapolis, Johan Santana won his 11th straight start with another dominant performance, striking out a career-high 14 over eight shutout innings for Minnesota.
By winning his 12th consecutive decision, Santana (19-6) tied a Twins team record. Santana allowed seven hits and didn't walk a batter, extending his scoreless inning streak to 30.
Michael Restovich hit a two-run homer, and Luis Rivas and Henry Blanco each had solo shots for the Twins, who could clinch their third straight AL Central title with a victory Monday at Chicago against the White Sox.
Athletics 2, Mariners 1
At Seattle, Eric Chavez and Erubiel Durazo each drove in runs, and Mark Redman (11-12) outpitched Bobby Madritsch (5-3) as Oakland pulled three games ahead of Anaheim in the AL West.
Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki was hitless in four at-bats and walked, holding his season hits total at 236. With 13 games remaining, he needs 22 more to break the major league record set by George Sisler in 1920.
Rangers 1, Angels 0
At Anaheim, Calif., rookie Chris Young (2-2) allowed five hits in six innings, Kevin Mench hit a run-scoring single and the Rangers shut out the Angels for the second straight day.
It's the first time since Sept. 28-29, 1992, against Kansas City that the Angels were shut out by the same team in consecutive home games.
White Sox 6, Tigers 1
At Chicago, Paul Konerko and Carlos Lee homered, and Freddy Garcia pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning.
Garcia (12-11) allowed one run and six hits, struck out eight and walked three in 7 1-3 innings.
Blue Jays 9, Devil Rays 7
At Toronto, Vernon Wells homered in a five-run third inning and Guillermo Quiroz had two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who moved two games behind fourth-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.
Aubrey Huff and Tino Martinez homered for the Devil Rays, who are trying to avoid a last-place finish for the first time in their seven-year history.
Indians 8, Royals 3
At Cleveland, Ben Broussard hit a three-run homer to help Kyle Denney (1-1) earn his first major league win for the Indians
