Blue Jays Playing, Talking a Good Game

Not only are the Toronto Blue Jays playing like they still can catch Boston for the AL wild card spot, they’re talking like it.

“The way we’re playing, I think we got a chance,” Chris Carpenter said after shutting down the New York Yankees on three hits in eight innings, leading the Blue Jays to a 5-3 victory Saturday.

Toronto won for the 13th time in 15 games and closed to within four games of the Red Sox.

“I think they’re feeling it a little bit,” Carpenter said. “It’s definitely a pressure-packed city.”

Jose Canseco reached 100 runs batted in for the first time in seven seasons and the Blue Jays sent David Wells to his first home loss in a year.

Wells (17-4) lost consecutive starts for the first time this year and lost at Yankee Stadium for the first time since Sept. 4, 1997, against Baltimore. The Yankees, hobbling to the playoffs despite a 103-43 record, have lost 13 of 24.

“I think we’re playing well. It’s just you lack a certain emotional intensity after you clinch,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “I think we’ll be ready to play by the time the playoffs come.”

Carpenter (11-7), who won for the fifth time in six decisions, retired 15 of 16--including 10 in a row--after the first two Yankees reached. He sprained his right ankle after his previous start, kicking a garbage can in frustration.

Chicago 6, Cleveland 4--Robin Ventura’s three-run homer in the eighth broke a tie and the tension in a game marred by a stare-down between Albert Belle and his former team at Cleveland.

It gave the second-place White Sox their second consecutive victory over the AL Central-leading Indians, struggling to wrap up a fourth consecutive division title.

A fiery confrontation between Belle and Indian starter Dave Burba in the sixth interrupted a well-played game with several sparkling defensive plays.

Extra security and police on hand for Belle’s visit raced down the aisles toward the field in case of a melee, but no one left the dugouts or the stands.

Belle was restrained by plate umpire Ted Hendry. He stayed in the batter’s box, digging in and taking practice swings while Hendry warned both benches. Belle lined out to left field on the next pitch.

Detroit 3, Boston 2--Light-hitting Joe Randa’s two-run homer in the ninth inning against Tom Gordon gave the Tigers a victory at Boston as the Red Sox’ grip on the AL wild-card berth slipped.

Randa, who had only six homers in 410 at-bats, connected with two out after Tony Clark’s single. Gordon (7-4) failed in a rare non-save appearance. He has succeeded in his last 37 save opportunities, the longest current streak in the majors.

Matt Anderson (4-1) pitched two hitless innings as the Tigers won for just the fifth time in 18 road games.

Kansas City 5, Seattle 2--The Royals hit three home runs at Kansas City to offset Ken Griffey Jr.’s 51st homer.

Griffey, one of three players in major league history with consecutive 50-homer seasons, hit a solo shot against Tim Belcher (13-12) in the third inning. He needs one RBI to become the fourth-youngest player to reach 1,000.

Oakland 6, Minnesota 5--Jay Witasick, recalled from triple-A Edmonton on Tuesday, limited the Twins to one run in 5 2/3 innings of relief, leading the Athletics at Minneapolis.

Witasick (1-1) took over after starter Tom Candiotti left after the first inning because of tightness in his left calf. The right-hander gave up four hits and struck out six.

Billy Taylor pitched 1 1/3 innings for his 30th save in 34 opportunities.