Wells Wins 20th as Yankees Falter

David Wells picked the perfect opponent for his 20th victory.

Wells became the majors’ first 20-game winner, pitching a five-hitter against his former team and sending the New York Yankees to their fifth consecutive loss, 3-1, to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night at Toronto.

“It’s always special when you beat those guys,” Wells said. “They’re my brothers, and it’s tough to leave a team that you love, but even though they’re my close friends, they’re my enemies.”

The 37-year-old Wells (20-6) had failed in his first three attempts to reach the milestone before becoming the second oldest pitcher to win 20 games for the first time.

“It’s something to cherish when you retire,” Wells said. “But we’re in a pennant race and we should be focused on that.”

The Yankees matched their longest losing streak of the season and have dropped seven of eight. They have been outscored, 60-19, in that span and their lead in the American League East fell to 4 1/2 games over Toronto. New York’s magic number remains seven.

“I’m sure he took great delight in beating us,” New York Manager Joe Torre said. “He’s such a great competitor. He’s earned everything he’s got.”

The Blue Jays, who are 2 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the AL wild-card race, swept the Yankees in a three-game series for the first time since 1992. Toronto has won four consecutive overall.

Wells, who improved to 16-8 against his former team, pitched his AL-leading eighth complete game and the 43rd of his career. He struck out eight and walked none, his 14th game without a walk this season.

Oakland 5, Seattle 2--Tim Hudson won his fifth consecutive start and Matt Stairs hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the sixth inning as the Athletics rallied past the Mariners at Seattle, closing within two games of the AL West leader.

Hudson (18-6) started the four-game series by falling behind, 2-0, in the first inning, then shut out Seattle for the next five innings.

In all, he gave up one earned run and five hits in six-plus innings, improving to 3-0 against the Mariners this season and 4-0 in his career.

In addition to closing in on Seattle, Oakland moved into a tie with Cleveland for the lead in the wild-card race.

Chicago 9, Minnesota 4--Herbert Perry had a pair of doubles and three RBIs at Minneapolis as the White Sox lowered their magic number for clinching the AL Central to four.