Yankees Win on Hill’s Slam

Pinch-hitter Glenallen Hill hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the ninth inning Friday night and the New York Yankees, after a rare Mariano Rivera breakdown, beat the Minnesota Twins, 9-5, at Minneapolis.

Rivera, handed a 4-2 lead with the bases loaded in the eighth, blew a save for the fourth time in 28 chances, allowing a two-run single to David Ortiz and a run-scoring single to Jay Canizaro that put Minnesota ahead, 5-4.

But the Twins couldn’t hold the lead, either.

Paul O’Neill singled against Travis Miller leading off the ninth, LaTroy Hawkins relieved and Bernie Williams flied out. Eddie Guardado (4-3) came in and David Justice hit a ground-rule double to right, with O’Neill forced to hold at third.

After an intentional walk to Tino Martinez, who went three for four, Bob Wells came in and Jorge Posada tied the score with a single, making him four for four with three runs batted in.

Hill, obtained from the Chicago Cubs on July 21, hit for Clay Bellinger and followed with a 422-foot drive to straightaway center, his second homer for the Yankees and the sixth grand slam of his career.

Texas 11, Detroit 5--Bill Haselman’s bases-loaded double highlighted an eight-run third inning, then an inside fastball to Juan Gonzalez nearly touched off a brawl at Arlington, Texas.

Haselman drove in three runs, Frank Catalanotto homered and Gabe Kapler hit an RBI double as Texas won its fourth in a row. All three players were part of the off-season trade that sent Gonzalez to Detroit.

Gonzalez, who took his time circling the bases after a three-run homer Thursday night in his return to Texas, reacted angrily to a chest-high fastball from Tim Crabtree in the seventh.

Gonzalez gestured at Crabtree and took a couple of quick steps toward the mound before being restrained by Haselman. The dugouts and bullpens emptied but no punches were thrown.

Seattle 7, Toronto 4--Freddy Garcia struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings at Seattle to win for the first time in five starts since coming off the disabled list.

Boston 4, Oakland 1--Pedro Martinez (12-3) gave up a leadoff home run to Terrence Long, then struck out 11 to lead the Red Sox at Oakland.

Tampa Bay 10, Kansas City 3--Bryan Rekar gave up eight hits at Kansas City, Mo., in his first complete game since Aug. 18, 1998.

Cleveland at Baltimore, ppd., rain--The game was called with the Indians leading, 4-3, in the fourth inning. There was no immediate announcement on the makeup date.