White Sox Beat Indians Again

The Chicago White Sox don’t want to let first place slip away again.

A week ago, the White Sox were within two outs of tying the Cleveland Indians for the Central Division lead before losing. Now, after the White Sox’s 3-2 win over Cleveland on Saturday, they get another try.

“We have a chance to be tied for first place at the All-Star break,” said Chicago’s Tony Phillips, whose White Sox have won three in a row against Cleveland. “Without a doubt, we want it.”

Harold Baines had two home runs, including a game-winning solo homer in the ninth inning to lead Chicago, which has already achieved its goal in a trip to Cleveland.

“We knew that if they swept us here, we’d be eight games out, and that’s tough to come back from,” Ozzie Guillen said. “The worst we can do is be two games behind.”

Matt Karchner (7-2) pitched one perfect inning to gain the win for Chicago, and Roberto Hernandez worked the ninth inning for his 26th save.

Cleveland, which dropped to 18-20 since May 27, wasted a strong effort by pitcher Charles Nagy, who gave up five hits in eight innings, walking two and striking out five.

New York 2, Milwaukee 0--Jimmy Key, hospitalized earlier in the day because of a stomach virus, pitched six scoreless innings for the Yankees, who won their fifth consecutive game.

Key (5-6), who underwent rotator cuff surgery last August and missed part of this season because of a strained thigh muscle, reported to Yankee Stadium about 1 1/2 hours before the game. He told New York Manager Joe Torre that he was prepared to pitch, despite feeling weak, and then extended his shutout streak to 19 innings in his last three starts.

John Wetteland set a major league record by getting a save in his 20th consecutive appearance. He broke the mark of 19 set by Lee Smith for St. Louis in 1993, and recorded his 29th save of the season.

Toronto 15, Detroit 0--Pat Hentgen pitched a three-hitter and was backed by six home runs--two by Carlos Delgado--as the Blue Jays routed the Tigers at Detroit.

Delgado, who drove in four runs, cleared the right-field roof in the third inning with a solo homer. He later added a three-run homer.

“That’s an honor for me,” said Delgado, whose homer in the third was the 29th in history to go over the roof. “But, I just can’t walk around and say ‘hey, I hit one out of Tiger Stadium.’ I hit it good, but that’s one run. It’s good and exciting, but that’s it.”

Toronto had a season-high 19 hits, with every starter getting at least one. Ed Sprague, Joe Carter, Shawn Green and John Olerud homered for the Blue Jays, who ended Detroit’s three-game winning streak.

Hentgen, who grew up in a Detroit suburb, struck out five and walked two in the fifth shutout of his career and second this season.

Baltimore 4, Boston 3--Rocky Coppinger outpitched Roger Clemens, and Rafael Palmeiro and B.J. Surhoff hit home runs to lead the Orioles at Baltimore.

Coppinger (4-0) gave up three runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Clemens (3-8) gave up four runs, six hits and three walks in six innings. He struck out five.

Arthur Rhodes replaced Coppinger and pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Red Sox got the tying run to third base in the ninth inning, but Randy Myers struck out the final two batters for his 18th save.

Kansas City 8, Minnesota 5--Joe Vitiello and Michael Tucker each homered to lead the Royals over the Twins at Minneapolis.

Chris Haney, who started the season 0-4 and has won seven of his last nine decisions, pitched seven innings, giving up five runs and six hits. He retired 11 consecutive batters at one stretch.

Chuck Knoblauch homered twice and drove in four runs for the Twins, but starter Rick Aguilera gave up seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.