Albert Belle decked Milwaukee second baseman Fernando Vina with a vicious forearm to the chest in the eighth inning, and Cleveland reliever Julian Tavarez slammed umpire Joe Brinkman to the ground during a bench-clearing brawl in the ninth Friday night in the Indians' 10-4 win.
The trouble started in the eighth when Belle, on base after being hit by a pitch, flattened Vina as he was about to be tagged out on a grounder. The 5-foot-9 Vina got up and jawed at the 6-2 Belle, but did not retaliate.The crowd booed the Indians controversial outfielder as he walked off, and several sheriff's deputies converged behind the Cleveland dugout where fans were hollering.
In the ninth, Brewers reliever Terry Burrows threw three inside pitches to Belle before hitting him in the left shoulder. At the end of the inning, Belle talked to Tavarez before taking his position in left field.
Tavarez's first pitch sailed behind the back of Mike Matheny, who charged the mound. In the ensuing melee, Tavarez picked up Brinkman, the first base umpire, and threw him down.
Belle, joining the fracas, ran over Brewers pitcher Steve Sparks. Tavarez and Matheny were ejected.
At the end of the game, sheriff's deputies and security personnel came on the field, and there were no incidents.
Manny Ramirez homered, doubled and drove in three runs as the Indians routed the error-plagued Brewers.
White Sox 9, Tigers 0
At Chicago, Kevin Tapani blanked Detroit for eight innings and Danny Tartabull and Dave Martinez each hit two-run homers.
Blue Jays 4, Royals 2
At Toronto, Pat Hentgen came within one out of his third complete game of the season and slumping Sandy Martinez drove in two runs.
Hentgen (5-4) improved to 8-1 lifetime against the Royals.
Rangers 7, Twins 2
At Arlington, Texas, Rusty Greer, starting for the first time in 10 games, hit a two-run single during a six-run third inning as the Rangers won their sixth straight.
The Rangers tagged Twins starter Frank Rodriguez (3-6) for six runs and seven hits over 21/3 innings.
Yankees 4, Athletics 1
At Oakland, Calif., Jimmy Key came off the disabled list to pitch six innings of three-hit ball and rookie Ruben Rivera snapped a tie with his first career home run.
Paul O'Neill added a leadoff homer in the eighth off reliever Buddy Groom.
Mariners 9, Red Sox 6
At Seattle, Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez hit three-run homers and the Seattle Mariners rallied from a four-run deficit.
Angels 10, Orioles 3
At Anaheim, Calif., Rex Hudler welcomed teammate Mark Langston back from the disabled list with a home run and a career-high five RBIs.