AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : White Sox Steal Closer to Twins, 4-1

The Chicago White Sox stole a game from the New York Yankees on Thursday.

The White Sox stole a season-high five bases as they beat the Yankees, 4-1, to complete a three-game sweep. Four of the five steals led to runs.

The victory moved the White Sox to within two games of the AL West-leading Minnesota Twins.

“Baserunning and Frank Thomas turned out to be our whole offense,” Chicago manager Jeff Torborg said.

Thomas drove in two runs with a double and a single and Alex Fernandez (6-8) pitched eight strong innings as the second-place White Sox won their fourth consecutive game and 12th in their last 14. Chicago has won 19 of 27 since the All-Star break.

But it was the baserunning of Mike Huff, Joey Cora and Lance Johnson that really sparked the White Sox. Huff and Cora each had two steals, while Johnson had one.

After being hit by a pitch in the third inning, Huff stole two bases and scored on a double by Thomas. Huff, acquired on waivers from Cleveland less than a month ago, reached base seven of 12 times in the series and scored four runs.

“He might not be a backup if he keeps going like that,” Torborg said. “That’s the kind of player that fits right in with our club. He’s smart, aggressive and fits in a lot of areas.”

Fernandez had a two-hitter until the ninth, when he gave up singles to Steve Sax and Don Mattingly. Scott Radinsky came in and got Mel Hall to hit into a double play, but Matt Nokes spoiled the shutout with a run-scoring single before Hensley Muelens grounded into a force play to give Radinsky his fourth save.

“Every pitcher would like to finish a game and pitch a shutout, but right now whoever gets the wins is fine,” said Fernandez, who is still seeking his first major league shutout.

Johnson singled, stole second and scored on a single by Cora, who extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games. Cora stole second and went to third on Nokes’ throwing error. After Tim Raines walked, Cora scored on a wild pitch and Thomas singled home Raines.

Manager Stump Merrill kept the Yankees’ dressing room closed for 15 minutes and could be heard screaming at the players.

“He wasn’t happy and I wouldn’t be either if I was in his position,” Hall said. “They scored 28 runs in three days and it wasn’t pretty.”

Losing pitcher Jeff Johnson (4-5) had a career-best seven strikeouts, but gave up seven hits and four earned runs in five innings.