Confident Tigers Complete Sweep of Yankees

Dave Mlicki pitched a four-hitter for 8 2/3 innings as the Detroit Tigers finished a surprising three-game sweep of the New York Yankees with a 2-1 victory Sunday at Comerica Park in Detroit.

The Tigers, who still have the worst record in the major leagues at 12-23, had scored only two runs in four games going into the series and had not won more than two in a row all season.

But they defeated Roger Clemens, 9-7, Friday, defeated Andy Pettitte, 6-3, Saturday and had enough left to defeat David Cone to complete the sweep.

“We came out the first day with an air of confidence and carried it through the weekend,” Tiger Manager Phil Garner said.

The Yankees, who began the series with the best record in the league, lost their season-high fourth consecutive game and dropped a half-game behind Boston in the Eastern Division.

“In a 162-game schedule there’s a lot of peaks and valleys,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “Give them credit. I don’t think it’s any inadequacy on our part, as much as they were ready to play us and did a good job.”

Mlicki (1-6), who began the game with a 7.25 earned-run average, outpitched Cone (1-3) and retired 15 consecutive batters during one stretch.

“It’s a big win for everyone,” Mlicki said. “When you can sweep the Yankees it shows us and everyone else what we’re capable of.”

Mlicki had allowed only one runner since the second inning when he took a 2-0 lead into the ninth. But with two out, he issued his first two walks of the game--to Tino Martinez and Jorge Posada--and was replaced by Todd Jones.

“I wished Mlicki could’ve finished the game,” Garner said, “but I think he was starting to aim the ball a little bit.”

Jones gave up a run-scoring single to Shane Spencer, then retired Scott Brosius on a fly ball for his 10th save.

Boston 10, Baltimore 1--Darren Lewis and Brian Daubach hit home runs as the Red Sox moved into first place in the Eastern Division.

Boston’s season-high fifth consecutive victory boosted the Red Sox past the Yankees, the first time they’ve been alone in first place since last June 8. It also completed their first four-game sweep in Baltimore since 1977.

Brian Rose (3-2) gave up one run in five innings and the bullpen did the rest in Boston’s eighth consecutive victory over Baltimore. The Red Sox outscored the Orioles, 35-6, in the series.

Toronto 3, Tampa Bay 2--David Wells won his sixth consecutive decision, settling down after a shaky start at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Wells (7-2) retired 21 of 23 batters after falling behind, 2-0, in the third inning. He gave up seven hits, struck out five and walked none in his league-leading third complete game.

Wells gave up a 456-foot homer to Jose Canseco in the second and Greg Vaughn’s sacrifice fly in the third.

Esteban Yan pitched seven strong innings for Tampa Bay, but closer Albie Lopez (2-3) couldn’t protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth.

Tony Batista and Jose Cruz Jr. drew one-out walks before moving up on a wild pitch. Alex Gonzalez tied the score with a run-scoring single before Darrin Fletcher’s sacrifice fly put the Blue Jays ahead.

Kansas City 5, Cleveland 4--Mac Suzuki pitched a career-high 8 1/3 innings and Mike Sweeney went four for five and drove in two runs as the Royals avoided being swept at Cleveland.

Suzuki (1-0), making his fourth start of the season, recorded his first win as a starter since Sept. 2. He struck out eight.

Suzuki took a 5-2 lead into the ninth and struck out Manny Ramirez for the third time. But Jim Thome followed with a single and David Justice homered. That was Suzuki’s 129th and final pitch, and Jerry Spradlin relieved for his first save since May 25, 1998, when he played for Philadelphia.

Chicago 5, Minnesota 3--Undefeated James Baldwin, trying for his eighth victory, finished with a no-decision after Jose Valentin singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh at Chicago.

Baldwin pitched six innings, giving up three runs and six hits. Kelly Wunsch (2-2) pitched an inning of relief for his second win in two days. Keith Foulke earned his fifth save.

Oakland 7, Seattle 2--Jason Giambi hit his major league-leading 16th home run and drove in three runs to increase his total to 46, also tops in the majors, to lead the A’s at Oakland.

Gil Heredia (5-2) won his fourth consecutive decision despite leaving because of a hamstring injury. He gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings.