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The New York Yankees put all shades of Sox on notice this weekend: Don't count out the Bronx Bombers. While the Yankees were beating up the World Series champion Chicago White Sox at home, they also closed ground in the AL East as the Boston Red Sox struggled with the visiting Oakland Athletics. New York finished off a three-game sweep of the White Sox with a 6-4 victory on Sunday. Coupled with the Red Sox's 8-1 loss - Boston's third in four contests against the A's - the Yankees moved within a half-game of the division leaders and three games of Chicago for the wild card. The Yankees have won seven of eight since a 19-1 drubbing in Cleveland on July 4, and are a season-high 17 games above .500. "I think by far our three best games," New York's Jason Giambi said. "We've come together great as a team. We're doing little things, we're getting big hits when we need them, our starting pitching is really starting to come together." And there was no need to mention nearly automatic closer Mariano Rivera, who worked out of jams in the eighth and ninth innings to become the fourth player with 400 career saves. "It's amazing, amazing to even think about it," Rivera said after recording his 21st save in 23 chances this season. "I've been blessed." So has manager Joe Torre, who has watched him work magic - especially in the postseason - for a decade. "For a guy who has pitched as a closer for less than 10 years, and to have been as consistent as he has been, to get there as quickly as he did, it's just remarkable," Torre said. "I've been very fortunate." In other AL games, it was Kansas City 9, Detroit 6; Toronto 4, Seattle 3 in 11 innings; Baltimore 4, Texas 0; Minnesota 5, Cleveland 2; and Los Angeles 7, Tampa Bay 5. Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run homer, and Derek Jeter added a solo shot - his first homer in 190 at-bats since May 16. Jaret Wright (6-5) worked into the sixth inning and the Yankees' bullpen did the rest as New York swept the White Sox for the first time since May 2002. Freddy Garcia (10-6) lasted seven innings but couldn't overcome his shaky start when the Yankees scored all their runs in the first four frames. A.J. Pierzynski homered for Chicago, and Tadahito Iguchi matched a career high with four hits. Leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik reached safely four times, but once it got to Rivera, the White Sox were out of luck. "On the field and off the field, Hall of Fame," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Young people should look up to him. He's the perfect player." Athletics 8, Red Sox 1 Joe Blanton held host Boston to five hits in seven innings and Mark Kotsay went 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Blanton (9-8) allowed just Alex Gonzalez's solo homer in the fifth. Kyle Snyder (1-1), making his second start for the Red Sox, cruised through four shutout innings but couldn't make it out of the fifth - allowing five runs and eight hits. Twins 5, Indians 2 Carlos Silva (5-9) threw six smooth innings and Rondell White hit his first home run of the season in his first game back from the disabled list for host Minnesota. Luis Castillo and Michael Cuddyer also homered and Jason Tyner drove in two runs for the Twins, who won the last three of the four-game series. Joe Nathan pitched the ninth for his 16th save for Minnesota, which placed three outfielders on the disabled list in four days - including center fielder Torii Hunter. Rookie Jeremy Sowers (1-3) couldn't hold an early lead in his fourth career start. Orioles 4, Rangers 0 Miguel Tejada and Nick Markakis homered, Melvin Mora had three hits, and Rodrigo Lopez led a strong pitching performance that carried host Baltimore past suddenly punchless Texas. Lopez (6-10) gave up five hits and a walk in 5 2-3 innings to earn his first win in four starts since June 23. Texas has gone 23 straight innings without scoring an earned run. Gary Matthews Jr. had two hits and John Wasdin (2-2) took the loss. Royals 9, Tigers 6 Joey Gathright drove in four runs, Scott Elarton pitched six effective innings and visiting Kansas City beat Detroit for the first time this season. Emil Brown also drove in two runs for the Royals, who had lost 11 straight games against Detroit this year. The Tigers' 10-game home winning streak was also snapped. Elarton (4-9) earned his first win since June 22. Mike MacDougal pitched a perfect ninth for his first save. Zach Miner (6-2) had his six-game winning streak snapped. Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3, 11 innings Frank Catalanotto singled in the winning run in the 11th inning to lift host Toronto, which improved to 5-0 in extra innings this season despite the second blown save this season by B.J. Ryan. The winning rally came against George Sherrill (2-2). Scott Downs (4-0) pitched two innings for the victory. Yuniesky Betancourt tied it in the ninth with a homer off Ryan, who hadn't allowed one since Boston's David Ortiz connected on June 2, 2005. Angels 7, Devil Rays 5 At Anaheim, Calif., Howie Kendrick had three hits, including an RBI single for the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, and Los Angeles won for the 11th time in 12 games. Scot Shields (5-6) shut out Tampa Bay for 1 2-3 innings to get the win. Chad Harville (0-2) gave up two runs and three hits in the eighth for the Devil Rays. Francisco Rodriguez pitched a perfect ninth, throwing all seven pitches for strikes, to earn his 22nd save. | |
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