Red Sox Back Into East Title : Boston Loses, but So Do New York and Milwaukee

With the kind of race it has been in the American League East, it seems only right that the champion was crowned on a night when the two remaining contenders lost.

So it was that the Boston Red Sox won the division championship for the second time in three seasons. The Red Sox, who clinched a tie for the title Thursday night, lost to the Indians Friday night at Cleveland.

But Detroit, which was eliminated Thursday, knocked the New York Yankees out of the race in the opener of a 3-game series at Detroit. And Oakland, which will face the Red Sox in the best-of-7 AL Championship Series beginning Wednesday at Boston, beat Milwaukee.

The Red Sox went with Roger Clemens, who was 9-0 in his career against the Indians. But Clemens, who is not always at his best in big games, gave up 3 runs in the first inning, and the Red Sox could never catch up, losing, 4-2.

Cleveland’s Rich Yett (9-6), who had not won since Aug. 23, held the Red Sox to 7 hits before giving way to Doug Jones with one out in the 9th.

The finish may be slightly tainted, but the Morgan Miracle is a fact. Since Joe Morgan became the Boston manager at the All-Star break, the Red Sox have been the best team in the division. Moreover, in the stretch, they beat the Yankees 5 times in 7 games. In the long run, that was decisive.

Clemens, who injured his elbow when he was hit by a line drive early in a decisive victory over the Yankees last Sunday in Boston, wasn’t at his best. His fastball was timed at just 87 to 89 m.p.h. Usually, it is in the mid-90s.

It was after 1 a.m., EDT, Saturday morning when the Red Sox learned that the Brewers had lost and it was time to celebrate.

“This isn’t the way we wanted to do it,” said Mike Greenwell, who set an American League record Thursday with his 23rd game-winning RBI. “But we earned this pennant, and we deserve to play the A’s.”

When Morgan replaced John McNamara, the Red Sox were 43-42 and 8 1/2 games out of first place.

Under the miracle man, they are 46-29.

Oakland 7, Milwaukee 1--The Brewers had only a longshot chance to tie the Red Sox, and with Dave Stewart opposing them, the chances were slim to none.

Stewart (21-12), never a loser against the Brewers, gave up only 4 hits in 8 innings at Oakland to win his eighth in a row over the Brewers.

Jose Canseco gave Stewart, who struck out 10, all the support he needed in the third inning. He followed a Luis Polonia single with his major leagues-leading 42nd home run.

Later, Mark McGwire hit his 31st homer, and Terry Steinbach his 9th to assure the A’s their 103rd victory.

Detroit 6, New York 2--Although their bid for the pennant in the East ended Thursday on their day of rest, the Tigers had the satisfaction of ending the Yankees’ hopes.

Jack Morris held the Yankees to 5 hits and 2 unearned runs in 7 innings at Detroit, and Chet Lemon hit 2 home runs to drop the Yankees out of contention.

The Yankees, who led for much of the season and were still on top on July 27, just didn’t have the pitching to win. Also, Don Mattingly, who promised New York fans a pennant, didn’t have an outstanding season.

“We had our chances,” said Manager Lou Piniella, who will learn his fate in a meeting with owner George Steinbrenner Tuesday. “I think the overriding factor is we had 7 games with Boston and just didn’t get the job done. They beat us 5 of 7. You can’t expect other people to do the job for you.

“You cling to hope, but now that’s gone, too. We’ll just play the last 2 games and go home.”