Bere, Indians beat out Devil Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Jason Bere pitched another strong game for Cleveland, giving up four hits in eight innings as the Indians beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5-1 Thursday night.
Bere (2-0) has won both his starts since being acquired in a seven-player deal with the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday.
Bere struck out eight and walked two. He benefited from strong defensive support, including two double plays started by first baseman Jim Thome.
Bob Wickman, acquired from the Brewers with Bere, got the final three outs for the Indians.
Russ Johnson homered in the sixth for Tampa Bay. Sandy Alomar homered for the Indians.
Albie Lopez (8-8) took the loss.
Blue Jays 3, Rangers 1
TORONTO -- Frank Castillo won his seventh straight decision as the Toronto Blue Jays ended their six-game losing streak, beating the Texas Rangers.
Castillo (8-5) hasn't lost since June 1. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter.
Mark Guthrie, acquired by Toronto on Monday from Tampa Bay, struck out Chad Curtis -- the only batter he faced -- to end the eighth inning. Billy Koch pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 29 chances.
Kenny Rogers (10-9) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings.
Yankees 3, Royals 2
NEW YORK -- Paul O'Neill ended a long night with an RBI single in the ninth inning, giving New York a victory over Kansas City in a game that didn't end until 1:55 a.m. Friday.
The game began after a 3-hour, 3-minute rain delay.
New York tied it in the eighth and won it an inning later against Jerry Spradlin (4-4).
Luis Polonia, returning to the Yankees after a five-year absence, scored on O'Neill's soft single to left in the ninth.
Mariano Rivera (5-3) pitched a hitless ninth for the win.