By The Associated Press
Cleveland – Rookie Tadahito Iguchi hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Chicago White Sox held on for a 4-3 victory over Cleveland on Saturday, sending the Indians into the regular season’s final scheduled day without control of their October fate.
“I’m kind of stunned at what has happened,” Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner said.
Iguchi’s shot to center, his 15th, snapped a 1-1 tie and helped set up a scenario today in which the Indians, who didn’t deliver with the bases loaded in the eighth and haven’t hit in the clutch for a week, will have to win or have their inspirational season end in disappointment.
Following a year jammed with stirring comebacks and gut-wrenching losses, Cleveland (93-68) will have to beat the AL Central champions and hope the Yankees (95-66) beat the Red Sox (94-67) at Fenway Park today.
If that occurs, the Indians would face the Red Sox on Monday in a one-game playoff at Boston to decide the wild card.
The Indians lost by one run for the fifth time in six games, jeopardizing a postseason that seemed guaranteed a few days ago when it concluded a 17-2 stretch.
Jon Garland (18-10) allowed just four hits in 6 2/3 innings, and Chicago’s bullpen was able to hold off the Indians, who have lost a club record 36 one-run games, including all nine to the White Sox.
Bobby Jenks pitched a perfect ninth for his sixth save as the White Sox improved to 13-5 against the Indians this season.
Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen has made good on his promise that his team, which clinched the Central before arriving, would play hard in the series. Not only have they done that, but the White Sox have a chance to end the Indians’ season.
“They are the type of team you don’t want in the playoff because they can get hot and kill you,” Guillen said. “I don’t want to say it’s a great feeling because I respect the manager and the players over there, but I have been worried about them all summer.”
Athletics 4, Mariners 3
Seattle – Jason Kendall hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning to back Joe Blanton (12-12).
Trailing 2-1, Oakland came back in the seventh after Julio Mateo (3-6) relieved George Sherrill with two out and none on.
Rich Harden, who hasn’t started since Aug. 19 because of a strained muscle below his throwing shoulder, struck out five in two innings, and Huston Street finished for his 23rd save in 27 chances, allowing Yuniesky Betancourt’s sacrifice fly.
Orioles 4, Devil Rays 3
St. Petersburg, Fla. – Tampa Bay left fielder Damon Hollins lost track of the outs in the seventh inning and threw a live ball into the stands, helping Baltimore beat the Devil Rays.
Hollins made a nice running catch, partially falling over the wall down the left-field line, on Eric Byrnes’ foul ball with one out and David Newhan on second. Newhan tagged up and advanced to third after the catch, then was awarded home to make it 4-2 after Hollins started running toward the dugout and threw the ball into the seats.
Twins 3, Tigers 0
Minneapolis – Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau each had two hits and an RBI to support rookie Scott Baker.
Baker (3-3) scattered seven hits in six innings and did not walk a batter for the Twins (82-79), assured of finishing above .500 for the fifth straight season.
Royals 7, Blue Jays 6
Toronto – Andres Blanco hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and Kansas City recovered after allowing six unearned runs in the seventh.
