Martinez, Yankees Pay Back Blue Jays

Tino Martinez figured it was payback time for the New York Yankees.

“They were real tough on us in New York,” Martinez said after Thursday’s 4-0 victory over the Blue Jays at Toronto. “We wanted to come here and make a statement. I thought we were successful.”

Martinez hit his 20th homer--his third in three games--and David Cone struck out 12. New York swept the two-game series following a 1-6 homestand.

“No disrespect to the rest of their pitching staff,” said Martinez. “But when you miss [Roger] Clemens and [Pat] Hentgen, it’s a little easier on the offense.”

Cone (6-3) gave up five hits and one walk in 7 2/3 innings and matched his season strikeout high.

“I threw a lot more splitters to right-handers,” Cone said. “That was partly after seeing how successful Roger was in New York. I was also talking to some of the guys on the Blue Jays, who said how effective they thought it would be.”

Cone has a league-leading 97 strikeouts, one more than Seattle’s Randy Johnson.

“It’s great to have David Cone pitch any time,” New York Manager Joe Torre said. “But it’s even better when you have a win the night before. Good pitching makes you look like a different ballclub.”

Jeff Nelson pitched a perfect ninth for his first save, striking out his first two batters in the inning.

Martinez raised his runs batted in total to 56 with an RBI single in the first off Woody Williams (1-5) and a solo homer in the third.

Chicago 5, Boston 2--Jorge Fabregas, obtained in a four-player trade May 18 from the Angels, hit his first homer of the year, a two-run shot in a four-run 11th inning to give the White Sox a victory at Boston.

“I know I can hit. It’s just been a tough year for me,” Fabregas said. “At Anaheim, it was very tough. They had no confidence in me.

“I’m very excited that finally something went my way. I’ve lined out a lot of times. I’ve hit the ball where people caught it. Finally, I hit one where no one could touch it.”

Fabregas was hitless in his first four at bats, twice stranding runners in scoring position, before he homered off of John Wasdin (0-3), with Mike Cameron at second and one out in the 11th.

“I thought they might pitch around me,” Fabregas said because first base was open. “But, I haven’t hit the ball well all year so why not challenge me?”

Mo Vaughn’s 11th homer in the ninth had tied the game against Roberto Hernandez (3-1) after Danny Darwin held the Red Sox to two singles in eight shutout innings.

Darwin, 41, only had two runners reach second and retired the last 13 batters he faced.

Albert Belle extended his hitting streak to 24 games, three less than Luke Appling’s 61-year-old White Sox record, with a leadoff double in the fourth inning but was stranded.

Texas 8, Seattle 2--Ken Hill pitched seven strong innings and Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez homered as the Rangers beat the Mariners at Seattle.

Seattle’s Joey Cora extended his hitting streak to 24 games, barely beating out an infield single with two outs in the ninth. His hitting streak is the longest ever by an AL switch-hitter and the longest in Mariner history.

Hill (4-2) gave up six hits and did not give up an earned run. He walked four and struck out two.

Rodriguez hit his fourth homer of the season in the first inning. Gonzalez led off the fourth with his ninth homer.

The Rangers, who had lost five consecutive to the Mariners and 21 of their last 24 games played at Seattle, took the lead in the sixth on Mike Devereaux’s run-scoring single off shortstop Alex Rodriguez’s glove.

Texas broke open the game with five runs in the seventh, chasing Jamie Moyer (4-2). Third baseman Brent Gates’ throwing error gave the Rangers their fourth run, Will Clark and Dean Palmer followed with RBI doubles, Bill Ripken had a sacrifice fly and shortstop Benji Gil singled in a run.

The Mariners scored two unearned runs in the first for a 2-1 lead. Jay Buhner singled in two runs after Gil mishandled Ken Griffey Jr.’s ground ball with two outs. Seattle loaded the bases when Edgar Martinez and Rodriguez followed with singles.

Baltimore at Detroit--The game was postponed after a rain delay of 34 minutes and will be made up as part of a twi-night doubleheader on July 4.

Cleveland at Kansas City--The game was postponed because of rain and will be made up as part of a twi-night doubleheader on Sept. 19.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Darin Erstad Angels 3 for 5, RBI, run, 2 doubles, single Win Gerald Williams Milwaukee 2 for 5, RBI, run, stolen base Win Ivan Rodriguez Texas 3 for 4, 2 runs, RBI, double, homer Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Allen Watson Angels 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 3 strikeouts Win Danny Darwin Chicago 8 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 5 strikeouts ND Jeff D’Amico Milwaukee 6 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 4 strikeouts Win

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