Knoblauch’s Patience Pays Off

Once Chuck Knoblauch walked, the New York Yankees were off and running.

Knoblauch battled Dave Burba for 10 pitches, fouling off three with a full count before walking to ignite a five-run fourth inning Friday night that sent the visiting Yankees to an 11-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

“That was big. Really big,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “And it didn’t surprise me. When you see him fouling off balls over our dugout, you know he’s waiting on a good one.”

Ricky Ledee and Paul O’Neill hit two-run homers, and Bernie Williams had a three-run double as the Yankees outlasted the Indians.

Two of baseball’s best teams combined for 18 runs, 23 hits, three errors, 15 walks and 16 strikeouts.

“It was a crazy game,” New York starter Andy Pettitte said.

Knoblauch walked twice, reached base four times and was in the middle of three rallies for New York, which won its second in a row after a five-game losing streak.

“The only way you can walk is if the pitcher doesn’t throw strikes,” Knoblauch said. “You can foul balls off all you want, but if it isn’t a strike then there’s no reason to swing.”

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Boston 3, Detroit 0--Carl Everett and Mike Stanley homered and Jeff Fassero pitched seven shutout innings to lead the Red Sox over the Tigers at Boston.

Fassero (5-1) gave up four hits and two walks and struck out eight to give Boston its 10th victory in 12 games. Rich Garces retired the side in order in the eighth and Derek Lowe pitched the ninth for his ninth save.

Chicago 5, Toronto 3--Frank Thomas hit a three-run homer to key a five-run third inning as the White Sox defeated the Blue Jays at Toronto.

Minnesota 3, Oakland 2--Brad Radke pitched a three-hitter for his first complete game and Ron Coomer doubled home the go-ahead run to lead the visiting Twins past the Athletics.

Seattle 7, Tampa Bay 6--Pinch-runner Rickey Henderson scored the tying run from first base in his first game for the Mariners at Seattle as they went on to defeat the Devil Rays.

Baltimore-Texas, ppd.--The game between the Rangers and Orioles was postponed because of rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sept. 12 at Arlington, Texas.