Yankees Have Indians’ Number in Cleveland

It would be nice for the New York Yankees to say they have the best record against the team with the best record in baseball. After New York got through with Cleveland this weekend, however, the Indians no longer own that honor.

New York completed its first four-game sweep in Cleveland since 1964, and Dwight Gooden won his fourth consecutive start Sunday in a 6-5 victory over the Indians.

Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill and Tino Martinez hit solo home runs for the Yankees, who improved to 9-3 against the defending AL champions this season.

The Yankees are 12-2 at Jacobs Field overall, and 6-0 this year. They are the only opponent with a record over .500 at the ballpark.

The Indians entered the weekend with the best record in the majors. But AL East-leading New York changed that with its first four-game sweep since Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and crew did it at Municipal Stadium in 1964.

The Atlanta Braves now own the best winning percentage in the majors because Cleveland is 13-14 since May 27.

Gooden (7-4), who has won seven of his last eight starts, gave up eight hits in 6 1/3 innings in defeating the Indians for the second consecutive time.

Williams’ homer put the Yankees ahead, 3-2, in the sixth, and Wade Boggs padded the lead with a two-run triple off the wall in center in the seventh, finishing Jack McDowell (6-6). Boggs scored on O’Neill’s sacrifice fly to make the score 6-2.

Chicago 7, Seattle 6--The White Sox stopped their eight-game losing streak, defeating the Mariners at Chicago on Ray Durham’s run-scoring double in the 10th inning.

With one out in the 10th, Dave Martinez singled for his fourth hit. Chad Kreuter walked and Durham doubled to right field off reliever Lee Guetterman (0-2).

Kreuter tied the score, 6-6, in the eighth with a home run off Bobby Ayala.

The Mariners trailed, 5-3, going into the seventh, but Alex Rodriguez hit the first pitch from starter James Baldwin for his 14th homer. Jay Buhner walked and reliever Larry Thomas gave up a two-run homer to Paul Sorrento, his 13th.

Kansas City 4, Baltimore 0--Kevin Appier pitched eight innings of two-hit ball and Sal Fasano homered as the Royals defeated the Orioles at Baltimore.

Tom Goodwin had two hits, stole two bases and scored twice to help the Royals win for only the fourth time in 14 games.

Appier (6-7) struck out 11, matching his season high, and walked three, allowing only one runner past first base.

Detroit 10, Minnesota 8--The Tigers won their third consecutive game for the first time this season, winning at Detroit.

The Tigers, with the worst staff earned-run average in the majors, extended their scoreless streak to 24 innings before Dave Hollins’ homer highlighted a five-run sixth that put the Twins ahead, 5-4.

But Detroit came back in the seventh, with Travis Fryman’s two-run double keying a six-run seventh against five pitchers.

Toronto 5, Oakland 4--Jacob Brumfield hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to give Juan Guzman and the Blue Jays the victory at Oakland.

Trailing, 3-2, in the sixth, the Blue Jays rallied when Mike Huff tripled off Oakland’s Steve Wojciechowski (5-5). One out later, Tomas Perez walked and Wojciechowski was lifted for Jim Corsi.

Brumfield followed by hitting a 1-0 pitch over the left-field fence for a 5-3 Toronto lead.

Guzman (6-5), making his sixth consecutive road start, gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Boston 6, Texas 4--Jose Canseco’s two-run single in the eighth inning snapped a tie and the Red Sox ended a five-game losing streak at Texas.

Troy O’Leary started the winning rally with a one-out single off Dennis Cook (3-1) and Jeff Frye followed with a walk. John Valentin tied the score, 4-4, with a run-scoring single off Jeff Russell. One out later, Canseco, who was three for four, drove in two runs with a single up the middle.