All's well that ends well, and this time David Wells made it to the last act.
The Toronto pitcher, who survived the sixth inning just once this August, tossed an eight-hitter Thursday night to pick up his second complete game of the season, leading the Blue Jays over the New York Yankees, 6-2.Wells, 13-9, snapped a five-game losing streak. He last won July 24 and hadn't pitched a complete game since he five-hit the California Angels May 31.
"David Wells threw strikes, kept the ball down, had good location and stayed ahead in the count," said Blue Jays acting manager Gene Tenace. "He needed something like this."
The Blue Jays, who have a 21/2-game lead over the second-place Detroit Tigers in the AL East, needed an effective Wells to help them stay there.
After a seven-game slide from August 8-14, Toronto has won 10 of its last 15, including five in a row.
"Overall, the team is more relaxed," Tenace said. "We are getting solid pitching, timely hitting and good defense. We may be ready to have some fun."
The Blue Jays' Devon White and Manny Lee both had a blast - White's made it over the fence.
White slammed a one-out solo shot - his 14th home run of the season - to put Toronto up 2-0 in the third, but Lee's three-run double in the sixth had the biggest impact.
"That is the furthest I have seen Lee hit the ball," Yankees Manager Stump Merrill said. "He usually hits about 170 points lower left-handed. He killed that ball. It almost went out."
Kelly Gruber was hit by a pitch, Pat Tabler singled and Pat Borders was walked intentionally to load the bases and chase Jeff Johnson, 5-8.
Lee followed with a two-out, three-run double off Rich Monteleone for a 6-1 Blue Jays lead.
White Sox 7, Indians 2
At Chicago, Carlton Fisk belted a pair of two-run homers and Robin Ventura added a two-run shot to help the White Sox snap a nine-game losing streak. Jack McDowell, 15-8, scattered seven hits in recording his major-league leading 13th complete game. Willie Blair dropped to 1-2.
National League
Cubs 5, Giants 4
At San Fransico, Dwight Smith singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and George Bell added a homer and three RBI. Greg Maddux, 11-8, gave up eight hits while walking four and striking out six for his fourth complete game of the season.
Astros 5, Phillies 1
At Philadelphia, Ken Caminiti knocked in four runs and Craig Biggio scored twice, snapping Philadelphia's 16-game home winning streak. Mark Portugal, 10-6, gave up six hits, walked none and struck out six in his first complete game of the season.
Reds 5, Expos 4
At Cincinnati, Barry Larkin and Chris Sabo belted back-to-back home runs in a five-run five-run fifth inning. Jose Rijo, 11-4, survived a three-run first inning to get the win. He gave up three runs and four hits over six innings. Rob Dibble earned his 27th save. Brian Barnes, 3-5, was the loser.
Padres 1, Cardinals 0
At St. Louis, Andy Benes pitched a two-hit shutout for his sixth win in seven starts and Oscar Azocar drove in the game's only run. Benes, 10-10, struck out 10 and walked one in his first shutout and third complete game of the season. Omar Olivares, 7-5, allowed one run on four hits over eight innings. Neither pitcher allowed an extra-base hit.
Braves 2, Mets 0
At Atlanta, Dave Justice and Rafael Belliard each singled in a run and John Smoltz and Mike Stanton combined on a six-hit shutout to keep Atlanta in sole possession of first place in the NL West. Smoltz, 10-13, yielded six hits over seven-plus innings, striking out out five and walking one.
Pirates 4, Dodgers 1
At Los Angeles, rookie Orlando Merced rapped three hits and drove in two runs to pace Pittsburgh, dropping Los Angeles two games behind Atlanta in the NL West. Roger Mason, 2-0, worked 22/3 innings for the victory. Bill Landrum earned his 17th save. Mike Morgan, 10-9, took the loss.