Belcher Hands Pettitte First Loss, 2-1

Tim Belcher pitched an eight-hitter for his second consecutive complete game as the Kansas City Royals handed Andy Pettitte his first loss this season Saturday night in a 2-1 win over the New York Yankees at Kansas City.

“I had the good sinker and threw the two-seam fastball away from their left-handed hitters,” Belcher said.

The Royals scored the tie-breaking run in the sixth inning, set up by shortstop Derek Jeter’s fielding error, on Joe Vitiello’s run-scoring double.

“This was one of those classic pitching duels,” New York Manager Joe Torre said. “Unfortunately, they scored one more than we did.”

Belcher (3-3) walked two and struck out three in his 38th career complete game. The 35-year-old retired 16 hitters on ground balls.

Pettitte (5-1) gave up six hits and one earned run. The left-hander had won six consecutive regular-season decisions, last losing to Toronto on Sept. 8 last season.

Cleveland 7, Detroit 6--Sandy Alomar’s run-scoring single with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Indians to a muddy win over the Tigers, who have lost 15 consecutive games at Cleveland’s Jacobs Field.

The Tigers haven’t won in Cleveland since Aug. 2, 1994, and are now 1-19 at the ballpark.

Detroit looked like it might end the slide in the ninth when the Tigers took a 6-5 lead on Brian Hunter’s RBI single.

But aided by a wild pitch from Doug Brocail (0-3) and a passed ball, the Indians tied the score on David Justice’s sacrifice fly.

Manny Ramirez then singled and was replaced by pinch-runner Chad Curtis. After a walk and a groundout, Alomar delivered his game-winning hit.

Toronto 6, Minnesota 5--Gregg Olson walked Carlos Delgado on four pitches with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning to give the Blue Jays a victory at Toronto.

After the Twins had rallied to tie the score with two runs in the ninth off winner Paul Quantrill (4-2), the Blue Jays took advantage of four walks--one intentional--off three Minnesota relievers in their half.

Texas 7, Boston 6--Dean Palmer hit a two-run single with one out in the ninth inning, giving the Rangers a victory at Arlington, Texas.

The Rangers loaded the bases with one out in the ninth on a walk to Rusty Greer, a double by Juan Gonzalez and an intentional walk to Will Clark. Palmer then singled up the middle off Heathcliff Slocumb (0-1) to score Greer and Gonzalez. Center fielder Darren Bragg’s throw hit the mound and never got to the plate.

Ed Vosberg (1-1) got the final out in the top of the ninth for the victory. It was the first ninth-inning comeback victory for the Rangers since June 28, 1995. Texas had lost 106 consecutive games when trailing in the ninth.

Milwaukee 17, Seattle 4--John Jaha and Matt Mieske hit consecutive homers during an eight-run second inning, and Tim Unroe hit a grand slam in the ninth as the Brewers routed the Mariners at Seattle.

The Brewers tied a franchise record with 11 extra-base hits, including seven doubles and four homers. The other homer was a two-run blast by Marc Newfield in the fourth.

Milwaukee’s Jose Mercedes made his first major-league start, gave up nine hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Bryce Florie (1-0) pitched 2 1/3 innings for the victory.

Mercedes, normally a reliever, filled in for Ben McDonald, who was scratched from his scheduled start because of a shoulder injury.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Juan Gonzalez Texas 2 for 5, 2 runs, double Win C. Knoblauch Minnesota 2 for 4, 2 RBIs, 2 doubles, 2 stolen bases Loss Omar Vizquel Cleveland 2 for 4, 2 RBIs, double, stolen base Win Orlando Merced Toronto 3 for 5, 1 RBI, double Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Tim Belcher Kansas City 9 innings, 1 run, 8 hits, 3 strikeouts Win Mike Mussina Baltimore 6 1/3 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 7 strikeouts ND

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