Gordon Gets Boston Out of Doldrums

The Boston Red Sox needed something, anything to pull them out of their losing ways, and Tom Gordon gave it to them.

Gordon pitched a four-hitter for Boston’s first complete game this season, helping the Red Sox end a seven-game losing streak with a 4-0 victory against the Twins at Minneapolis.

Gordon (2-5) struck out a season-high 10, walked four and recorded his first complete game since Aug. 28.

“I’ve been going to Mass a lot,” said Boston Manager Jimy Williams, whose team won for only the second time in 13 games. “We really needed that win.”

Troy O’Leary homered and Mo Vaughn had two runs batted in for the Red Sox.

Minnesota hit only seven balls out of the infield against Gordon. Terry Steinbach had two singles for the Twins.

“My fastball was in the zone and my curveball was down,” said Gordon, who recorded his first shutout since Aug. 7. “I knew I had good stuff. I didn’t try to change anything. I stuck with those pitches.”

O’Leary’s two-out homer off Brad Radke (3-3) gave Boston a 1-0 lead in the second. Vaughn blooped a two-run double into center in the third as the Red Sox opened a 3-0 lead.

Tom Naehring hit a run-scoring single in the eighth to chase Radke, who gave up eight hits and four runs in 7 2/3 innings.

New York 11, Texas 5--Tino Martinez and Paul O’Neill homered during the Yankees’ six-run first inning at Arlington, Texas.

Martinez’s 17th homer, a three-run shot, gave him 50 RBIs in 42 games. O’Neill added a two-run homer, his eighth home run of the season, as New York rocked Texas starter John Burkett (2-3) with five consecutive hits in the first.

Bernie Williams had four hits with four RBIs and Cecil Fielder added four hits for New York, which beat Texas for the seventh time in the last eight games between the clubs.

New York, which had a season-high 20 hits, has won six of its last seven.

Detroit 9, Kansas City 2--Tim Pugh beat the team that gave up on him and Tony Clark hit two of the Tigers’ four home runs at Kansas City.

Pugh (1-0), making his first appearance since being called up Tuesday from triple-A Toledo, gave up one run and three hits in eight innings.

Pugh was 0-1 with a 5.45 earned-run average in one start and 18 relief appearances last season for the Royals, who released him Aug. 14. His previous victory in the majors came April 10, 1996, with Cincinnati.

Brian Hunter and Bobby Higginson each had solo home runs and two RBIs for the Tigers.

Cleveland 8, Toronto 1--Jim Thome hit his second career grand slam to lead the Indians over the Blue Jays at Toronto.

Albie Lopez (1-2), who has flip-flopped from the bullpen to the starting rotation this season, worked five innings, giving up three hits.

The Indians won for only the second time in seven games. The Blue Jays lost for only the fourth time in 14 games.

Chicago 7, Oakland 6--Frank Thomas drove in three runs with two doubles and Dave Martinez capped a six-run fifth with a three-run homer at Oakland.

Harold Baines had two doubles for Chicago for the second consecutive game and Ray Durham also had two doubles among his three hits. Albert Belle extended his hitting streak to 14 games.

Danny Darwin (1-2) pitched Chicago to its third consecutive victory.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Tony Clark Detroit 2 for 4, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 2 runs Win Bernie Williams New York 4 for 4, 4 RBIs, 2 runs Win Cecil Fielder New York 4 for 6, RBI, run, double Win Frank Thomas Chicago 3 for 3, 3 RBIs, run, 2 doubles Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Tom Gordon Boston 9 innings, 4 hits, 10 strikeouts Win Tim Pugh Detroit 8 innings, 3 hits, 4 strikeouts Win

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