Yankees Respond With a 6-4 Victory

The New York Yankees found an appropriate response to a verbal bashing from George Steinbrenner.

The Yankees rallied from a three-run deficit Monday night at Baltimore to hand the Orioles their sixth consecutive loss, 6-4.

Pinch-hitter Bernie Williams drove in the tiebreaking run with an eighth-inning sacrifice fly to give New York its second consecutive comeback win. On Sunday night, the Yankees trailed by three runs before beating the New York Mets.

“It’s not healthy to do that. But it feels good when it’s over with,” New York Manager Joe Torre said. “We’re fighting our way back.”

New York showed its mettle by pulling out of a 4-1 hole. It was the ninth time this season New York won after trailing by three runs.

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Cleveland 7, Boston 0 -- Kevin Millwood pitched six innings of three-hit ball and Travis Hafner had three extra-base hits at Boston as the Indians ended the Red Sox’s seven-game winning streak. Hafner started a three-run rally in the fourth with the first of his two doubles, then he hit a solo homer in the seventh, one out after Grady Sizemore hit a two-run shot. Bobby Howry pitched two perfect innings and Scott Sauerbeck one to complete the three-hit shutout.

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Tampa Bay 4, Toronto 3 -- Hideo Nomo pitched seven strong innings and Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer for the Devil Rays at Toronto.

The victory moved Tampa Bay Manager Lou Piniella (1,479-1,375) to within one of tying Earl Weaver for 19th place on the all-time win list.

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Minnesota 3, Kansas City 1 -- Joe Mays pitched eight sharp innings at Minneapolis and the Twins handed the Royals their seventh consecutive loss.

Joe Nathan worked a scoreless ninth for his 19th save in 21 opportunities.