Sierra Grabs Yankees by Tail

Ruben Sierra was trying very hard not to gloat.

“I’m happy, but not because I beat the Yankees,” said Sierra, who homered and drove in all five Detroit runs in a 5-3 victory Friday night at New York.

Sierra was traded for Cecil Fielder on July 31 and made a triumphant return to Yankee Stadium. He hit a three-run homer, his first in a Tiger uniform, in the first inning and added a two-run double in the fifth.

“The good thing is I’m hitting right now for the Tigers, but the bad thing was I got traded from the Yankees,” said Sierra, who made no effort to hide his unhappiness regarding the trade.

Fielder, the other half of the deal, hit a two-run homer in the fifth. It was his 29th homer and third since joining the Yankees.

Sierra’s two big hits came against Andy Pettitte (16-7), who leads the AL in victories.

Former Dodger John Cummings (2-0), sent to Detroit in the Chad Curtis trade, pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings in relief of starter A.J. Sager.

Texas 5, Toronto 4--Juan Gonzalez reached the 100 RBI-mark and Ivan Rodriguez homered and drove in three runs as the Rangers won at Toronto.

Gonzalez, 26, reached 100 RBIs for the fourth time in his career, most in Ranger history. He singled home a run in the seventh for a 5-4 lead. Rusty Greer tripled with one out off Paul Quantrill (4-11) and scored on Gonzalez’s hit.

Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the first off Huck Flener. Darryl Hamilton drew a leadoff walk and Rodriguez followed with his 17th home run.

Bobby Witt (11-8) pitched six innings for his fourth win in a row.

Minnesota 6, Seattle 5--Pat Meares hit a three-run homer, capping a six-run rally in the fourth inning that sent the Twins past the Mariners at Seattle.

Rich Becker walked in the Twins’ fourth, Paul Molitor singled and Marty Cordova doubled home a run. Greg Myers hit a two-run single, Matt Lawton doubled and Meares homered. Meares equaled a career-high with three hits.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 35th home run, helping Seattle take a 3-0 lead. But the Twins rallied to win, coming back against Bob Wolcott (7-9).

Randy Johnson, making his second relief appearance in four days for the Mariners, pitched three shutout innings. Johnson, who gave up four hits and struck out three, is working out of the bullpen while returning from back problems.

Jose Parra (3-3) pitched 2 2/3 innings for the victory.

Chicago 4, Baltimore 3--Robin Ventura’s leadoff home run in the 10th inning lifted the White Sox over the Orioles at Chicago.

Ventura hit the second pitch from Randy Myers (1-3) for his 26th home run. Bill Simas (1-7) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the victory.

Brady Anderson hit his 36th and 37th home runs for the Orioles. He left the game in the seventh because of a strained right calf.

The White Sox tied the score, 3-3, in the seventh when Ray Durham doubled, Frank Thomas was intentionally walked and Lyle Mouton delivered a two-out single.

Boston 9-4, Milwaukee 7-1--Vaughn Eshelman came within one out of his first career complete game as the Red Sox finished off a doubleheader sweep of the Brewers at Milwaukee.

Eshelman (6-3) gave up one run on six hits to complete Boston’s first doubleheader sweep since Aug. 21, 1991, against Cleveland.

Jeff Frye had RBI singles in the third and seventh innings of the nightcap and Lee Tinsley hit a solo homer in the fourth off Ricky Bones (7-12).

Troy O’Leary hit a three-run homer that highlighted Boston’s win in the opener.

Cleveland 10, Oakland 4--Albert Belle broke open a tight game with his 38th home run and Jack McDowell made a successful return from the disabled list at Oakland.

Jim Thome and Brian Giles each had three hits and combined to drive in five runs for the Indians.

McDowell (10-6), activated Friday after being out three weeks because of a muscle strain in his right forearm, went five innings, striking out six and walking none.