By The Associated Press
Boston – Russ Adams hit a sacrifice fly to break an eighth-inning tie as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Red Sox 7-5 on Tuesday night, splitting a day-night doubleheader and spoiling Boston’s chance to take the lead in the East.
Tim Wakefield pitched seven strong innings to give Boston a 3-1 victory in the day game. The Red Sox remained even in the division after New York lost 17-9 to the Orioles. Tuesday’s results guaranteed that the East title will be up for grabs when New York comes to Fenway Park for a three-game series this weekend to close the season.
“We’d be kidding ourselves if this weekend wasn’t going to determine the outcome of this season,” Boston outfielder Johnny Damon said. “It’s going to come down to this weekend. It’s the master plan. God’s way. Yankees-Red Sox. We just need to win some games before that series starts.”
The Red Sox and Yankees also are tied in the wild-card race with the Cleveland Indians, who lost 5-4 to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Wakefield (16-11) left after seven innings so he will be rested for his next start – on three days’ rest – in the crucial weekend series against the Yankees.
“I probably could have finished the game, but I don’t think that’s a smart move,” Wakefield said after holding the Blue Jays to one unearned run on three hits. “It’s a pennant race. Every game is pretty much a must-win.”
Orioles 17, Yankees 9
Baltimore – Gary Sheffield hit two homers and drove in six runs, but Baltimore ended a nine-game losing streak in an ugly affair that lasted 4 hours, 16 minutes.
“Sometimes these things get away from you, and you can’t do a whole lot about it,” Yankees manager Joe Torre said.
The Yankees trailed 5-1 before Sheffield hit a two-run homer in the third inning. He put New York ahead with his 11th career grand slam, a shot to left in the fourth that made it 7-5, but an RBI single by Miguel Tejada and Jay Gibbons’ two-run homer off Al Leiter (4-5) in the fourth put Baltimore back in front, and the Orioles scored five runs off three relievers in the fifth to make it 13-7.
Tigers 3, White Sox 2
Detroit – Chicago left 12 runners on base and its lead in the Central remained at two games.
Nate Robertson (7-15) ended a five-start losing streak, allowing one run on five hits and five walks in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out five in his first win since Aug. 23.
Chris Spurling pitched 1 2/3 innings, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, before the White Sox got a run in the ninth off Fernando Rodney.
Juan Uribe led off with a walk, took second on Tadahito Iguchi’s one-out walk and moved to third when Aaron Rowand grounded into a force at second. Paul Konerko followed with an RBI single to make it 3-2 before Rodney got Jermaine Dye to fly to center for his ninth save.
Devil Rays 5, Indians 4
Cleveland – Scott Kazmir (10-9) allowed one run in six innings, and Julio Lugo hit a three-run homer as Tampa Bay prevented Cleveland from gaining ground on Chicago in the Central.
Former Indians pitcher Danys Baez got Ronnie Belliard to hit into a game-ending double play with the tying run on third.
Twins 3, Royals 1
Minneapolis – Johan Santana (15-7) allowed six hits over seven innings, and Minnesota snapped its four-game skid.
Rangers 3, Mariners 2, (11)
Seattle – Estaban German, in his first at-bat of the season, doubled home Mark Teixeira from first base with one out in the 11th inning to give Texas a victory.
