Vaughn’s Bat Doing Some Talking Too

Mo Vaughn began what could be his final homestand in a Boston Red Sox uniform Wednesday to a chorus of boos from fans and silence from the front office.

Vaughn, angered that management apparently broke an agreement to keep contract negotiations private, lashed out Monday and repeated his complaints Wednesday before hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning to lead the Red Sox past the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3, at Fenway Park.

Vaughn, who is in the second year of a three-year, $18.6-million deal, has been offered a three-year contract, reportedly for $8.5 million a year. But the former AL MVP, who dislikes General Manager Dan Duquette, believes he could get more by filing for free agency after next season. A trade before then would bring Boston something in return.

“I’m still an open-minded man and still always willing to talk,” Vaughn said. “Maybe because of what I said we might not talk [with management] and that might be their choice.”

Vaughn said he hadn’t heard from Duquette since making his remarks. Red Sox Chief Executive Officer John Harrington said at the owners’ meetings in Atlanta the outburst won’t speed up plans to talk with his best hitter.

Fans made their feelings known when Vaughn went to the plate in the first inning, a reaction he had anticipated.

“That’s understandable,” he said. “I’m not here to change everybody’s minds. I understand that people all can’t agree with me and all are not going to like me but that’s just what happens when you take a stand.”

Former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens said Vaughn has a right to express his concern and that Duquette was a reason some players don’t like playing for the Red Sox.

“It begins upstairs,” Clemens said. “It would take a lot to get Mo upset.”

New York 6, Detroit 2--Jorge Posada homered and drove in a career-high four runs and Chad Curtis had four hits at Yankee Stadium to keep pressure on AL East leader Baltimore.

Posada went three for four with a two-run homer as the Yankees matched a season-high with their fifth consecutive victory.

Curtis went four for four and scored three runs and Paul O’Neill was three for four for the Yankees. Curtis, Posada and Andy Fox, New York’s seventh, eighth and ninth batters, were a combined eight for 11.

Ramiro Mendoza (7-6) limited the Tigers to five hits in six innings for only his second victory in nine decisions.

Milwaukee 8, Baltimore 3--Jeromy Burnitz had three hits and three RBIs as the Brewers defeated Scott Erickson and the slumping Orioles at Baltimore.

Jeff D’Amico (9-6) gave up two runs in five innings. It was his fourth start since a six-week stint on the disabled list and first victory since July 18.

It was only the third victory in 10 games for the Brewers, who pulled away in the fifth by scoring four runs on six hits.

Roberto Alomar and Lenny Webster homered for the Orioles, who have lost six of nine and 13 of 20.

The loss cut Baltimore’s lead in the AL East over the Yankees to four games. Each team has 11 games left; the Orioles would win a tie because they won the season series against New York.

Erickson (16-7) lost his second consecutive decision after going 11 starts without a loss.

Cleveland 7, Minnesota 6--Manny Ramirez hit a two-run double in a four-run fifth inning as the Indians moved closer to the AL Central title with a victory at Minneapolis.

The Indians reduced their magic number for clinching the division to seven over Milwaukee.

Rookie Jaret Wright (8-3), who has won five of his last six starts, gave up seven hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out seven, one short of his career high, set July 26 against Oakland.

Chicago 8, Kansas City 4--Frank Thomas had a two-run, two-out single in the eighth inning as the White Sox edged the Royals at Kansas City.

James Baldwin (12-14) worked seven innings to earn the victory. He gave up four runs and five hits in the first three innings, but only two hits in the last four. He had six strikeouts and walked one.

Keith Foulke pitched the final two innings for his second save.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Jeromy Burnitz Milwaukee 3 hits, 3 RBIs Win Jorge Posada New York 3 hits, 1 HR, 4 RBIs Win Matt Lawton Minnesota 2 HRs, 5 RBIs Loss Ken Griffey Seattle 2 for 4, one double, 1 RBI Loss

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Jaret Wright Cleveland 6 innings, 3 runs, 5th win in six games Win R. Mendoza New York 6 innings, five hits, 2nd win in 9 decisions Win

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