NEW YORK, 24 August 2004 — Bengie Molina had four hits, including a three-run homer, as the Anaheim Angels completed a three-game series sweep of the New York Yankees with a 4-3 win on Sunday. The Angels have won five straight games and 13 of their last 17 to close to within a half game of the Oakland Athletics in the American League West. New York has lost six of seven games and their lead in the AL East over the Red Sox has fallen from 10 1/2 games to 5 1/2 in just seven days after Boston beat the Chicago White Sox later in the day.

Kelvim Escobar (8-9) allowed two runs on three hits over seven innings for the win.

In other games, Dewon Brazelton pitched seven strong innings to lead the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to a 2-1 home win over the Oakland Athletics. Brazelton (6-4) allowed one run on five hits while Jesus Colome pitched the final two innings for the save.

In Detroit, Willie Bloomquist hit a three-run homer to lead the Seattle Mariners past the Tigers 5-3. Gil Meche (4-5) allowed three runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings for the win while J.J. Putz pitched the ninth for his third save.

In Baltimore, Eric Hinske and Vernon Wells hit home runs to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to an 8-5 win over the Orioles. Justin Miller (2-2) allowed three runs on eight hits over five innings.

In Minneapolis, Corey Koskie homered and Torii Hunter had three hits and three RBI, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 7-3 win over the reeling Cleveland Indians. The Twins now lead Cleveland, losers of seven straight, by seven games in the AL Central after having a one-game lead a week ago.

In Kansas City, Calvin Pickering homered twice, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs in his first major league game in three years as the Royals pounded the Texas Rangers 10-2.

In Chicago, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz hit back-to-back homers in the eighth inning as the streaking Boston Red Sox edged the White Sox 6-5. Boston has won six straight games to move closer to the New York Yankees in the AL East and leads the wild card by one game.

Ramirez Lifts Cubs Over Astros After Wood Exit

Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer as the Chicago Cubs survived the ejection of starting pitcher Kerry Wood to defeat the Astros 11-6 in National League play in Houston on Sunday.

Wood was just returning to the Cubs after serving a five-game suspension for arguing with an umpire and again found himself in trouble with one out in the fifth inning.

In other games, Edgar Renteria had a three-run homer and drove in five runs as the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-4. Larry Walker hit a grand slam for the Cardinals, his second in five days, as the Cardinals moved 40 games over .500 (82-42) with their 15th win in 19 games.

In Milwaukee, Jason Michaels drove in the go-ahead run in a five-run 10th inning as the Philadelphia Phillies finally subdued the Brewers 9-6. Doug Glanville hit a two-run homer for the Phillies, who completed a series sweep, and David Bell had three hits and drove in a run.

In Los Angeles, Chipper Jones hit a three-run homer to highlight an eight-run second inning, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 10-1 win over the Dodgers. J.D. Drew added a two-run double for Atlanta and had three hits, as did Eli Marrero and Julio Franco.

In Phoenix, D’Angelo Jimenez and Sean Casey both homered, leading the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-1 pounding of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Jimenez hit a three-run homer and Casey and Felipe Lopez both drove in two runs for the Reds.