Friday, October 1, 2004
AL: AL West boils down to three-game series
The Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. - Ichiro Suzuki got his 256th hit to move within one of George Sisler's record, but Bobby Crosby homered in the ninth inning to give the Oakland Athletics a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.
The A's (90-69) moved back into a tie with the Anaheim Angels atop the AL West, and there won't be a one-game playoff, either. The division champion will be determined in a season-ending three-game series at the Coliseum starting today.
Suzuki had a run-scoring single in the third inning, pulling him within one hit of tying Sisler's 84-year-old record of 257. Suzuki went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Octavio Dotel (6-2) pitched the ninth for the victory, striking out Suzuki with a 3-2 fastball.
With one out in the ninth, Crosby pounded a pitch from Scott Atchison (2-3) over the high fence in left for his 22nd homer, raising his fist as he rounded the bases. Jermaine Dye also homered for the A's, who fell out of first place Wednesday night for the first time since Aug. 5.
Yankees 6, Twins 4
NEW YORK - Bernie Williams hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees clinched their seventh straight AL East title, beating Minnesota for their 100th victory of the season.
Williams' homer was the Yankees' major-league-leading 241st of the season, and they broke the franchise record set in 1961.
New York became just the fourth team to post three straight 100-win seasons, joining Atlanta (1997-99), Baltimore (1969-71) and the Philadelphia Athletics (1929-31).
Rangers 6, Angels 3
ARLINGTON, Texas - Adrian Gonzalez drove in three runs with a pair of singles, and the Texas Rangers won in their home finale, a day after being eliminated from playoff contention.
Gonzalez, a rookie first baseman getting his first start since April, hit a two-run single that chased erratic John Lackey (14-13) in a four-run outburst in the fifth that gave Texas a 5-1 lead. Vladimir Guerrero went 4-for-4 with two more homers for the Angels (90-69).
Tigers 8, Devil Rays 0, 1st game
Devil Rays 6, Tigers 4, 2nd game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Toby Hall hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning to lead Tampa Bay to a split of its doubleheader against Detroit. With the Tigers leading 4-3 in the eighth, Jose Cruz Jr. hit a one-out double off Craig Dingman (2-2) and went to third on Jorge Cantu's base hit. Geoff Blum followed with a single to right to tie it. Jamie Walker came in and got Carl Crawford to fly out, but Hall doubled into the left-field corner to make it 6-4.
Jeremy Bonderman (11-13) threw a four-hitter and Ivan Rodriguez hit his 250th career homer to lead the Tigers past the Devil Rays in the opener.
Orioles 9, Blue Jays 3
BALTIMORE - Miguel Tejada homered and drove in three runs to boost his major-league-leading RBI total to 146, and the Baltimore Orioles cruised. Tejada's RBI total is second-most in major-league history by a shortstop behind Vern Stephens' 159 for Boston in 1949.
BENGALS
Bengals prepare to meet LeBeau
Injuries hurting safety position
NFL
Parcells dodged players' fists
REDS
It's a hot time in the Windy City
Strikeout record doesn't faze Dunn
DAUGHERTY COLUMN
Daugherty: Angels earn respect after suspension
MORE BASEBALL
His boots made for more than walking
AL: AL West boils down to three-game series
NL: Burrell guides Phillies in rally
OHIO PREP SPORTS
Panthers boast of raucous home crowd
WEEKEND PREVIEW: OHIO TOP GAMES AT A GLANCE
Ohio Player of the Year award
Taylor dominates cross country polls
Lions learning how to win
Firebirds' goals hard to come by
KY. PREP SPORTS
'Breds want Tigers to receive message
WEEKEND PREVIEW TOP KY. GAMES AT A GLANCE
Ky. Player of the Year award
St. Henry's plan in place
Highlands kicks offense into high gear
UC BEARCATS
Jackson growing up quickly for UC
QB depth chart fuzzy at UC
DIGEST
Sports digest
TV
Sports today on TV, radio
Return to Reds front page...
|