NEW YORK - That record defeat hit the Yankees like a punch in the face, stirring up their pride and refocusing their attention.
Gary Sheffield had three RBIs to reach 100 for the seventh time, Jon Lieber pitched seven shutout innings and Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer Thursday night to lead New York to its second straight win, 9-1 over the Cleveland Indians.
With its East lead over second-place Boston cut to 31/2 games from 101/2 on Aug. 16, the Yankees have faced a torrent of questions this week, especially after Tuesday night's 22-0 loss to the Indians. New York rebounded with a 5-3 victory Wednesday, then quickly broke on top Thursday.
"A game like that can wake you up," Sheffield, the former Hillsborough High standout, said. "We looked like we were just trying to get the schedule over with. We got a wakeup call. Now we've got a pennant race going."
Jorge Posada hit a run-scoring single in the first and Rodriguez hit his 33rd homer to cap a five-run second against Cliff Lee.
But even with the two wins, the Yankees failed to increase their margin over the Red Sox.
"The other night was a dark time," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Hopefully, it increases our determination to show ourselves what kind of a team we are."
Sheffield hit a run-scoring single off third baseman Casey Blake in the second, had a run-scoring double in the fourth against Kazuhito Tadano, doubled again in the sixth and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth for his 101st RBI. Sheffield, who has had 100-RBI seasons with five teams, was periodically serenaded by fans with chants of "M-V-P! M-V-P!"
A'S 4, WHITE SOX 2: Mark Redman pitched seven strong innings for his 10th win and Billy McMillon homered to lead visiting Oakland.
Redman became the fourth Athletics pitcher to reach double digits in wins, allowing four hits and two runs. He retired his final 13 batters as the West-leading A's won for the 14th time in 16 games.
The left-hander's solid outing came on the heels of his shortest of the season. He was roughed up for nine hits and six runs in two innings Aug. 27 against the Devil Rays.
TWINS 2, RANGERS 0: Brad Radke had a season-high nine strikeouts in eight shutout innings to give host Minnesota a three-game sweep. Radke, the former Tampa Jesuit standout, had the Rangers off balance all night, striking out the side in the fourth and retiring eight straight during one stretch. He allowed five hits and walked one in the Twins' seventh shutout.
BLUE JAYS 8, MARINERS 6: Ichiro Suzuki got three more hits, but Orlando Hudson and Vernon Wells homered to lead host Toronto. Ichiro, chasing George Sisler's major-league record for hits, went 3-for-5 and has 217. He has 29 games to break Sisler's mark of 257 set in 1920 with the St. Louis Browns.
