Odd triple play highlights Hargrove's return to Cleveland

Mike Hargrove returned to Jacobs Field and Cal Ripken came back to the Baltimore lineup. But it was a disputed triple play that had everyone in Cleveland confused -- and talking.

"To tell you the truth," Orioles manager Hargrove said after Baltimore's 5-2 loss Friday night, "I thought they called it the right way."

The Indians didn't.

Cleveland had runners at first and second with none out when Sandy Alomar hit a pop fly into short left, about 15 feet off the infield dirt.

Shortstop Melvin Mora went back for the ball, but purposely let it drop. Cleveland's runners -- Travis Fryman at second and Wil Cordero at first -- never left their bases, thinking the infield-fly rule would be called.

But none of the umpires made a ruling, and Mora alertly threw to second baseman Jerry Hairston, who tagged Fryman for the first out. Meanwhile, Alomar, apparently thinking he was out automatically on the infield fly, went back to the Indians' dugout.

"I figured it was the infield-fly rule," he said.

"If it was the infield-fly rule I would have called it," umpire John Shulock said.

Hairston threw to first, but umpire Ian Lamplugh ruled Cordero safe. However, with Hargrove -- who led Cleveland to five straight division titles before being fired after last season -- and Manuel both on the field, and players running all over the place, Cordero was called out on a force at second.

"That was ridiculous," Alomar said.

In other AL games, it was Chicago 9, Anaheim 8; Boston 6, Seattle 2; New York 4, Minnesota 2; Toronto 4, Oakland 3; Detroit 7, Texas 5; and Kansas City 9, Tampa Bay 5.

Chuck Finley (11-10) gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings for his second win since July 25. Bob Wickman pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save.

Wil Cordero had three hits off Sidney Ponson (7-10) and drove in a run as the Indians, who opened a 13-game homestand, remained atop the AL wild card race.

Brook Fordyce homered for the Orioles, who made their first trip to Cleveland this season. Hargrove received a warm ovation when he took out the lineup card before the game.

"I haven't done it all year and I don't like doing it," he said. "But some people thought I should and told me that. It was nice."

Ripken returned to Baltimore's lineup for the first time since June 28 and went 1-for-3.

White Sox 9, Angels 8

Pinch-hitter Jose Valentin's two-run single capped a six-run eighth inning as host Chicago roughed up Anaheim relief ace Shigetoshi Hasegawa (8-4).

The White Sox trailed 8-3 entering the eighth before Frank Thomas hit his 39th homer and Magglio Ordonez followed with his 26th homer off Al Levine.

Chicago added four more runs off Hasegawa to remain 7 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland in the AL Central.

Red Sox 6, Mariners 2

Lou Merloni doubled to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning off John Halama (11-7) and Jose Offerman followed with a two-run single to lead Boston at Fenway Park.

The AL West-leading Mariners lost for the 15th time in 18 games.

Carl Everett had three hits, including his 33rd homer, to back Rolando Arrojo (4-1).

Blue Jays 4, Athletics 3

Tony Batista singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning against Doug Jones (3-2) and host Toronto defeated Oakland.

John Frascatore (2-3) got two outs in the eighth for the win in the matchup of wild card contenders.

Tigers 7, Rangers 5

Steve Sparks (6-2) won his sixth straight start and host Detroit moved over .500 for the first time since opening day.

Royals 9, Devil Rays 5

Brian Meadows (3-2) did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and Jermaine Dye hit a grand slam and knocked in five runs for Kansas City.

John Flaherty, who broke Pedro Martinez's no-hit bid for Boston leading off the bottom of the ninth Tuesday, ended Meadows' attempt with a line single to left with one out in the sixth.