Gooden Makes Progress, Yankees Don’t

Omar Daal and four Toronto relief pitchers temporarily stalled New York’s postseason drive, leading the Blue Jays past Dwight Gooden and the Yankees, 3-0, Friday night at New York.

The Yankees’ magic number for clinching a playoff berth remained at one. New York, likely to win the wild card, is five games behind Baltimore in the AL East.

Gooden (8-5) pitched a season-high 7 1/3 innings in one of his sharpest outings of the year. It came at a crucial time for him, too, as he tries to cement a place on the playoff roster.

“That was really a step forward for Doc,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “I was very impressed.”

Does it mean Gooden pitches in the playoffs?

“That’s just information we can absorb,” Torre said. “When we have to make a decision, we’ll make it.”

The Yankees, having lost two consecutive games, will watch carefully today when David Cone makes his first start since Aug. 17. Sidelined for a month because of tendinitis in his right shoulder, Cone may be a key to how far the defending World Series champions go in October.

Benito Santiago’s solo home run in the seventh inning put Toronto ahead, 1-0. Carlos Garcia hit a two-run double in the eighth that chased Gooden and helped the Blue Jays end a four-game losing streak.

Detroit 5, Baltimore 3--The Tigers are having a delightful time playing the role of spoiler in the AL East.

Detroit blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning, then got a home run from pinch-hitter Phil Nevin in the 10th to beat the slumping Orioles at Baltimore.

It was the second consecutive extra-innings victory for the Tigers, who defeated New York on Thursday night to prevent the Yankees from clinching a playoff berth.

“We’re using this as a building block for our playoff run for next season,” Nevin said. “We want a taste of what it’s like to be in a playoff atmosphere, and I think we showed a lot of character today.”

Despite losing for the seventh time in 11 games, the Orioles’ magic number to clinch the AL East title dropped to four as a result of the Yankee loss.

Baltimore third baseman Cal Ripken, who has been bothered by a bad back, went 0 for 4 and is three for 33 in his last nine games.

Milwaukee 7, Minnesota 4--Former Twin Darrin Jackson hit a three-run double--one of six doubles by the Brewers--to pace Milwaukee at Minneapolis.

Jackson, traded by Minnesota to Milwaukee on Aug. 30, broke a 1-1 tie in the third with a bases-loaded double off Dan Serafini (2-1). Jackson also had a single and is hitting .333 since joining the Brewers.

Jose Mercedes (7-10) gave up six hits in seven innings for Milwaukee. Doug Jones got three outs for his club-record 34th save in 35 tries. He broke the single-season record of 33 saves set by Dan Plesac in 1989.

Matt Lawton hit two solo homers for the Twins. He hit his first off Mercedes in the sixth and added a leadoff shot in the ninth against Al Reyes.

Chicago 5, Boston 4--Albert Belle’s ninth-inning grand slam gave the White Sox their first lead and Frank Thomas’ RBI single in the 10th was the difference at Boston.

“It’s been very disappointing not to make the playoffs,” Thomas said, “but if we can’t finish first [in the AL Central], we’ve got to finish second. Our pride is on the line.”

Nomar Garciaparra broke Ted Williams’ Red Sox rookie record for total bases with two doubles, and scored in the first--the game’s only run until Belle hit his fourth grand slam of the season and 11th of his career.

Kansas City 10-2, Cleveland 3-6--Mike Hargrove chewed out the Indians and they responded, coming back to defeat the Royals for a doubleheader split at Kansas City.

Brian Anderson (4-1) gave up five hits in 5 2/3 innings as the Indians reduced the magic number for their third consecutive AL Central title to four.

In the first game, Mike Macfarlane and Scott Cooper each drove in three runs to lead the Royals to victory. Between games, Hargrove could be heard yelling at his team.

“I just didn’t like the way we went about our business,” Hargrove said. “It’s nothing I haven’t done before.”

Hargrove said he didn’t single out anyone.

“They’re mentally and physically tired,” he said. “It’s very understandable, but it doesn’t make it acceptable. Nobody in there disagreed with me.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Jim Edmonds Angels 4 for 5, home run Win Albert Belle Chicago 2 for 4, grand slam Win Matt Lawton Minnesota 2 for 3, 2 home runs Loss

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Ken Hill Angels 9 innings, 1 run, Win 2 hits, 1 walk Omar Daal Toronto 6 innings, 6 hits, Win 0 runs, 7 strikeouts Brian Anderson Cleveland 5 2/3 innings, Win 5 hits, 0 runs

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