Mix-Up Costly to Indians

Mike Hargrove took the blame. Charles Nagy took the loss.

And David Wells took advantage of a Cleveland Indian lineup depleted by a mix-up that cost the Indians their designated hitter, helping the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory Thursday night at Cleveland.

“I was as surprised as anybody,” Nagy said after becoming the first Indian pitcher to bat in an American League park since Jim Kern on July 28, 1978. “I had no idea what was going on. I still don’t really know what happened.”

Nagy (11-6), forced to hit in the seventh spot because of Manager Hargrove’s mistake, struck out in the second inning and fouled out trying to bunt in the fourth against Wells.

“Charlie was tough,” Wells said. “He made me throw him a stinking cutter to get him out.”

Hargrove originally listed Manny Ramirez, who leads the majors with 101 runs batted in, as the designated hitter and had rookie Alex Ramirez in right field.

But after Toronto batted in the first, Blue Jay Manager Jim Fregosi pointed out to plate umpire Rocky Roe that Ramirez had taken his regular place in right field for the top half of the inning.

The mistaken move--a designated hitter taking a position in the field--made the Indians lose their DH and forced the pitcher to bat.

“I thought Mike was trying to throw me off,” Wells said. “He’s pretty crafty over there.”

Hargrove, however, said it was a case of his “checks-and-balances system breaking down.”

“That’s the first time that has happened to me in 12 years of managing,” he added. “And it is one time too many.”

Minnesota 3, Chicago 0--Rookie Joe Mays came within two outs of his second consecutive shutout to lead the Twins at Minneapolis.

Mays (3-3) gave up five hits in 8 1/3 innings, and was pulled after Paul Konerko doubled. Mike Trombley finished for his 15th save.

Mays struck out seven and walked three. Since becoming a starter, he is 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA in seven starts, having given up only eight earned runs in 42 innings.

Last Sunday, he threw a three-hitter to beat the Chicago Cubs, 6-0, at Wrigley Field.

Seattle 5, Oakland 4--David Segui singled in the winning-run with the bases loaded and one out in the 10th inning at Seattle.

Alex Rodriguez went three for five with a two-run homer. He had three RBIs and scored three runs, including the winner as the Mariners went 4-4 on their first homestand at Safeco Field.

Rodriguez led off the 10th with a single against Doug Jones (2-3) and moved to second on a groundout. Buddy Groom then intentionally walked Edgar Martinez.

After Chad Harville came in, the Mariners pulled off a double steal and loaded the bases when Jay Buhner walked. Segui followed with a single to left.

Detroit 9, Kansas City 8--Tony Clark hit a two-run single during a five-run rally in the seventh inning and Juan Encarnacion and Gabe Kapler homered for the Tigers at Detroit.

The Royals loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. But Todd Jones struck out pinch-hitter Jeremy Giambi and retired Johnny Damon, who had three hits and four RBIs, on a foul pop.

New York 5, Tampa Bay 4--Bernie Williams hit a two-run homer at New York, helping the Yankees to their 16th victory in 17 games against the Devil Rays.

“Everybody knows how good they are,” Devil Ray Manager Larry Rothschild said of the Yankees. “They’ve caught us at just the right time.”

Andy Pettitte (7-7), struggling for most of the season, won his second consecutive decision. He pitched into the seventh inning, when the Devil Rays scored twice to make the score 5-4.

Pettitte gave up four runs and six hits in six-plus innings. He walked four and struck out four.