Yankees' late rally sinks Mariners
Derek Jeter hit a tying two-run homer in the seventh inning and Hideki Matsui had a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth, giving the New York Yankees a 7-6 victory over the Mariners yesterday in Seattle, their second comeback from a six-run deficit this week. The Mariners led, 6-0, after knocking out Donovan Osborne, making his first start since May 6, 1999, in the second.
Jeter, who was hitting only .181 at game time, drove his home run off Julio Mateo 412 feet, over the center-field fence. He finished 2 for 5.
Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi also homered for the Yankees, who have 12 come-from-behind wins. They also rallied from six down in a 10-8 win at Oakland Tuesday and now trail the Red Sox by one game in the AL East.
In the eighth, Rafael Soriano (0-3) walked Rodriguez on full count and gave up a single to Giambi, putting runners on first and second. Rodriguez went to third when Gary Sheffield hit into a fielder's choice, and scored on Matsui's sacrifice fly to left off Shigetoshi Hasegawa.
New York's bullpen went 7 2/3 scoreless innings, with Paul Quantrill (4-1) getting the victory by pitching the seventh. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his 12th save.
The Mariners handed starter Jamie Moyer a 6-0 lead with a six-run second, their biggest inning of the season. But he gave up a solo homer to Rodriguez -- his seventh -- in the fourth, and a three-run homer to Giambi -- his eighth -- in the sixth. Osborne surrendered six runs on six hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. Dan Wilson capped the big inning with a three-run homer.
Orioles 12, Indians 11 -- Miguel Tejada's second homer of the game highlighted a four-run sixth, and host Baltimore held on to complete a sweep of Cleveland, which has dropped five in a row. Melvin Mora also homered for the Orioles, who beat up Cleveland's dreadful bullpen in a second straight game. Baltimore's last three-game sweep of the Indians was in August 1993.
A's 8, Twins 4 -- At Oakland, Calif., Mark Mulder earned the first victory by a member of Oakland's "Big Three" starters in 16 days, supported by Bobby Kielty's three RBIs. Mulder (3-2) went a season-high nine innings, pitching a six-hitter for his 18th career complete game and first since Aug. 8 at Chicago.
Blue Jays 5, White Sox 2 -- Justin Miller (1-0) tied a career high by pitching seven strong innings and host Toronto won its season-high fifth straight. Frank Catalanotto hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, who swept the White Sox in a three-game series for the first time since April 17-19, 1998.
Angels 8, Devil Rays 4 -- Jeff DaVanon homered and drove in four runs, Jarrod Washburn (6-1) won his fifth straight start, and host Anaheim won its ninth straight game.
Tigers 5, Rangers 3 -- At Arlington, Texas, Alex Sanchez hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth and Nate Robertson (2-2) allowed three hits in 7 2/3 innings, pacing Detroit.
