Johnson Ejected, but Yankees Win

Randy Johnson’s control was outstanding. Perhaps the only time he missed the target was on his final pitch, which sailed right past Eduardo Perez.

Johnson’s encouraging outing ended abruptly when he was ejected for throwing inside, and the Yankees beat the slumping Cleveland Indians, 6-1, in a testy game Wednesday at New York.

“This could be a great turnaround for him,” Yankees Manager Joe Torre said. “It looked like he was proud of his stuff, proud enough to dare them to hit it.”

Johnny Damon and Andy Phillips homered for New York, which won its second straight after dropping four in a row and sent Cleveland to its 14th loss in 16 games at Yankee Stadium since 2002.

Indians starter Jason Johnson couldn’t slow down the Yankees and Cleveland’s potent lineup was shut down for the second consecutive night.

Derek Jeter got buzzed up and in during the fifth inning, and Jorge Posada and Jason Johnson (3-7) exchanged words after the New York catcher was hit near the elbow by a pitch in the sixth. That’s when both benches were warned.

With Randy Johnson (8-5) nursing a 6-1 lead the next inning, Perez came up with one out and nobody on. Johnson threw his first pitch way inside, and Perez pointed his bat at the mound and took a few steps toward the pitcher.

“It was obvious to everybody that he threw at him,” Cleveland Manager Eric Wedge said.

And Perez was angry about it.

“I was taught how to play this game, and that’s not the way you play the game -- unless someone changed the memo and didn’t tell me,” he said.

Posada stepped in front of Perez as both benches emptied, but no punches were thrown.

Randy Johnson and Torre were ejected.

Johnson gave up one run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking none.

Texas 8, Chicago 0 -- Getting a turn as the Rangers’ designated hitter, Hank Blalock snapped out of his slump with a home run and an RBI double at Arlington, Texas. Vicente Padilla (6-4) struck out seven over eight shutout innings.

Minnesota 8, Boston 1 -- Jason Kubel homered and Justin Morneau hit a grand slam, leading the Twins at Minneapolis. Brad Radke (5-7) was the beneficiary, giving up five hits over six innings.

Oakland 7, Seattle 2 -- Dan Haren (6-5) gave up four hits and retired 12 in a row at one point over seven innings and Jason Kendall and Bobby Kielty drove in two runs apiece to help the host A’s to their season-high sixth straight victory. Oakland’s Frank Thomas left the game in the third inning because of a strained right quad.

Tampa Bay 5, Detroit 1 -- Jorge Cantu hit a three-run double in the 12th inning for the Devil Rays at Detroit.

Toronto 6, Baltimore 3 -- Alex Rios, Frank Catalanotto and Vernon Wells homered for the Blue Jays at Toronto.