NEW YORK, 24 September 2004 — Vernon Wells cracked a two-run triple in the seventh inning to earn the Toronto Blue Jays a 5-4 win over the New York Yankees in the American League Wednesday. The host Yankees, who needed a victory to guarantee a wild card berth, were beaten by the Blue Jays for the second time in the three-game series.

Orlando Hernandez (8-1) allowed the game-winning blow by Wells and lost for the first time this season. The Yankees, also chasing their seventh consecutive East Division title, blew a 3-0 lead as Ted Lilly survived a shaky start to pick up the win.

In Anaheim, Raul Ibanez pounded out six hits and drove in five runs as the Seattle Mariners mauled the Angels 16-6. Ichiro Suzuki added four hits for the Mariners and now has 247 on the season, 10 away from George Sisler’s 1920 major league record. Seattle totaled 24 hits in the game.

In St. Petersburg, Ruben Gotay’s RBI groundout in the 10th inning led the Kansas City Royals to a 7-6 triumph over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. David DeJesus homered and drove in three runs for the Royals. Mike MacDougal (1-1) worked a scoreless ninth and Jeremy Affeldt pitched the 10th for his 13th save of the season.

In Detroit, Jake Westbrook pitched seven strong innings as the Cleveland Indians edged the Tigers 7-6. Westbrook (13-9) gave up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Josh Phelps homered for Cleveland and Jhonny Peralta had two hits and drove in two runs.

In Boston, Orlando Cabrera homered in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Red Sox a 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles. David Ortiz added his 40th home run of the season for the Red Sox, who moved within 3 1/2 games of the first place New York Yankees in the East Division. Curtis Leskanic (3-5) pitched a scoreless inning for the victory.

In Chicago, Paul Konerko drove in the winning run with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning as the White Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins 7-6. K

In Arlington, Eric Young’s three-run blast, his first homer for more than a year, helped the Texas Rangers overcome the Oakland Athletics 5-3. Kenny Rogers (17-8) gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings.

Rallying Reds Make Braves Wait for East Title

Javier Valentin smacked a three-run homer in a five-run ninth inning off John Smoltz to carry the rallying Cincinnati Reds to an 11-8 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wednesday.

The host Braves needed a win to clinch at least a tie for the East Division title but Smoltz was driven from the mound after getting only one out in the ninth. Sean Casey had an RBI single and D’Angelo Jimenez added a run-scoring double off Smoltz (0-1), who lost for the first time this season.

In Miami, Pat Burrell’s three-run homer led the Philadelphia Phillies to a 12-4 rout of the Florida Marlins. Mike Lieberthal, Jason Michaels and Placido Polanco added two-run homers for the Phillies. Eric Milton (14-4) allowed one run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings for his first victory in more than a month.

In Montreal, Mike Piazza’s RBI single in the eighth inning drove in the winning run as the New York Mets beat the Expos 3-2. Bartolome Fortunato (1-0) pitched two scoreless frames for the victory and Braden Looper delivered a perfect ninth for his 26th save of the season.

In Pittsburgh, Carlos Zambrano tossed 7 1/3 shutout innings as the Chicago Cubs edged the Pirates 1-0. Zambrano (15-8), who also drove in the only run with a bases-loaded walk in the fifth, allowed six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

In Milwaukee, Larry Walker thumped a two-run homer to guide the St. Louis Cardinals past the Brewers 3-2. Woody Williams (11-7) allowed one run on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings for the win and Jason Isringhausen gave up a run in the ninth before finishing up for his 44th save of the season as the Cards landed their 99th victory.

In Denver, Jeromy Burnitz homered as the Colorado Rockies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2. Shawn Estes (15-7) yielded two runs on six hits over seven innings and Shawn Chacon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 35th save of the season.

In San Francisco, Noah Lowry tossed a complete game five-hitter to steer the Giants to a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros. Lowry (6-0) allowed one run with seven strikeouts and one walk.

In San Diego, Jake Peavy pitched eight shutout innings as the Padres blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0. Peavy (13-6) gave up three hits, striking out 11 batters and walking two. Phil Nevin belted a two-run homer for the Padres.

Japan Players, Owners, Reach Deal

Meanwhile, Japanese baseball players and club representatives reached a deal yesterday to end the first strike in the 70-year history of the sport in Japan, with owners agreeing to let newcomers into the leagues as early as next season.

The players, backed by the majority of fans, went on strike last weekend to protest a planned merger and to press owners to ease requirements for new teams. Weekday games have continued.