Ramirez Hits 42 as Indians Clinch

Manny Ramirez hit his 41st and 42nd homers Wednesday night, tying the major league record with homers in four consecutive at-bats as the Cleveland Indians clinched a fourth consecutive AL Central title with an 8-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

The Indians became the third team to win four consecutive titles since divisional play started in 1969. Ramirez, who homered in his last three at-bats Tuesday night, hit his 41st homer on a 1-1 pitch from Minnesota’s Bob Tewksbury in the first. After grounding out in the second, Ramirez hit a 3-2 pitch to left for his fifth homer in six at-bats.

He is the first player to homer in four consecutive at-bats since Detroit’s Bobby Higginson on June 30 and July 1, 1997.

Toronto 2, Detroit 1--Roger Clemens won his 14th consecutive decision--the longest streak in the American League since he did it in 1986--and the Blue Jays kept pace in the AL wild-card race with the victory at Detroit.

Chicago 9, Kansas City 4--Albert Belle capped a seven-run seventh-inning outburst with his 46th homer as the White Sox won at Chicago.

Boston 4, Baltimore 3--Tom Gordon matched a major league single-season record with his 38th consecutive save as the Red Sox won at Baltimore. The 38 consecutive saves ties Cleveland’s Jose Mesa in 1995.

Tampa Bay 7, New York 0--Tony Saunders pitched six scoreless innings and the Devil Rays beat the AL East champion Yankees at St. Petersburg, Fla.

The loss meant the Yankees cannot set the major league record for victories in a season.

Seattle 4, Oakland 1--Ken Griffey Jr. stole his 20th base of the season at Oakland, becoming only the third major leaguer with at least 50 homers and 20 steals.

The only other 50-20 players are Willie Mays (51-24 in 1955) and Brady Anderson (50-21 in 1996).