American LeagueRandy Johnson's encouraging outing ended abruptly when he was ejected for throwing inside, and the New York Yankees beat the slumping Cleveland Indians 6-1 in a testy game on Wednesday.
Johnny Damon and Andy Phillips homered for New York. Bernie Williams added a key RBI double and Robinson Cano had three hits, sending Cleveland to its 14th loss in 16 games at Yankee Stadium since the start of 2002.
Jorge Posada and Jason Johnson (3-7) exchanged words after the New York catcher was hit by a pitch in the sixth, and both benches were warned.
PHOTO: AP
With Randy Johnson (8-5) nursing a 6-1 lead the following inning, longtime nemesis Eduardo Perez came to the plate with one out and nobody on. The Big Unit threw his first pitch way inside, and Perez pointed his bat at the mound and took a few steps toward the pitcher.
Posada stepped in front of Perez as both benches emptied -- but no punches were thrown. Randy Johnson and Yankees manager Joe Torre were ejected as the crowd of 53,448 chanted "Randy! Randy!" with delight.
Blue Jays 6, Orioles 3
At Toronto, Alex Rios, Frank Catalanotto and Vernon Wells homered to lead Toronto over Baltimore. Rios and Catalanotto hit back-to-back homers in the first off Rodrigo Lopez (4-8) -- the first two batters the right-hander faced. It was the seventh time this season Toronto has hit consecutive home runs.
In other AL games it was:
* Rangers 8, White Sox 0
* Devil Rays 5, Tigers 1, 12 innings
* Twins 8, Red Sox 1
* Royals 4, Angels 3
* Athletics 7, Mariners 2
National League
Jose Castillo homered and drove in four runs and Zach Duke was more effective at the plate than on the mound with three RBIs, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates past the St. Louis Cardinals 9-7 on Wednesday.
The last-place Pirates got a rare victory against National Leader Central division leader St. Louis, which lost for the 10th time in 17 games. The Pirates were 1-6 against the Cardinals this season and 5-18 the last two seasons, and had dropped 33 of 44 to them at home since PNC Park opened in 2001.
Duke (5-6) has seen the Pirates lose seven of his 14 starts by one run, only to get the decision after making one of his worst starts this season. The left-hander gave up 10 hits and five runs in five innings, but left with a 6-5 lead after twice delivering run-scoring singles against opposing starter Sidney Ponson (4-2).
Reds 3, Brewers 0, 11 innings
At Cincinnati, Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the 11th inning and Cincinnati got an outstanding start from Elizardo Ramirez to beat Milwaukee.
In other NL games it was:
* Reds 3, Brewers 0, 11 innings
* Astros 5, Cubs 4
* Rockies 14, Nationals 8
* Marlins 6, Braves 5, 10 innings
* Mets 9, Phillies 3
* Giants 11, Diamondbacks 4
* Padres 5, Dodgers 3
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