AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Vaughn’s Homer Wins It for Red Sox, 6-3

This was not Boston vs. Cleveland. This was Mo Vaughn vs. Albert Belle.

Belle homered twice for the Indians on Friday night in Cleveland, but it was Vaughn’s three-run shot in the eighth inning that made the difference as the Red Sox won, 6-3.

The Boston victory, coupled with the New York Yankees’ loss at Baltimore, reduced the Red Sox’s magic number for clinching the American League East to four.

Vaughn’s home run during a five-run eighth inning temporarily tied him with Belle for the league lead. But Belle pushed ahead again in the ninth inning with his second home run of the game and his 39th of the year.

“That’s good for both of us, because it keeps us both swinging,” Vaughn said. “The thing is, I’m glad we won the ballgame because now our magic number is down to four. We’re close, but we’re not there yet.”

Belle’s 39 homers are the most by a Cleveland hitter since Rocky Colavito had 42 in 1959.

Erik Hanson (14-5) gave up five hits in eight innings as the Red Sox won for only the second time in their last eight games.

Milwaukee 5, Toronto 1--The two-time World Series champion Blue Jays were officially eliminated from playoff contention, falling to the Brewers in 15 innings for their seventh consecutive loss.

Seattle 3, Chicago 2--Vince Coleman had four hits and scored on an overthrow, helping Andy Benes and the Mariners take over the wild-card lead with a victory over the White Sox at Chicago.

Seattle’s bullpen got three strikeouts from three different pitchers to preserve the victory for Benes (5-1) in the eighth after Dave Martinez opened with a triple. The Mariners are 8-1 in his nine starts since he was traded from San Diego on July 31.

Baltimore 8, New York 1--Bobby Bonilla hit his fourth-career grand slam and Rafael Palmeiro had a three-run shot, powering the Orioles past the Yankees at Baltimore.

Scott Erickson (11-10) pitched an eight-hitter for the Orioles, who managed only five hits but took advantage of 12 walks.

Detroit 3, Texas 2--Cecil Fielder hit the 250th home run of his career, the Tigers ended the Rangers’ five-game winning streak, and rookie Clint Sodowsky (2-0) outpitched Kevin Gross (8-15) at Detroit.

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Wild-Card Races

AMERICAN LEAGUE

* Division Leaders

*--*

Team Division W L Cleveland* Central 90 40 Boston East 78 51 Angels West 72 58

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* Wild Card

*--*

Team W L Pct. GB Seattle 68 62 .523 -- New York 67 63 .515 1 Kansas City 65 63 .508 2 Texas 66 64 .508 2 Milwaukee 62 67 .481 5 1/2 Oakland 62 68 .477 6 Baltimore 60 70 .462 8 Chicago 59 69 .461 8

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NATIONAL LEAGUE

* Division Leaders

*--*

Team Division W L Atlanta* East 82 48 Cincinnati Central 78 51 Colorado West 69 59

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* Wild Card

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Team W L Pct. GB Dodgers 69 61 .531 -- Houston 66 63 .512 2 1/2 Philadelphia 65 65 .500 4 Chicago 64 64 .500 4 San Diego 62 67 .481 6 1/2 San Francisco 62 67 .481 6 1/2 Montreal 61 68 .473 7 1/2

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* Clinched division title