New York Lights Up Seattle, Torre, 10-4

Joe Torre took a long puff from his postgame cigar. It had been a while since one tasted this good.

The New York Yankees salvaged the final game of a four-game series with Seattle on Monday night as Andy Pettitte pitched a three-hitter and Tino Martinez drove in five runs in a 10-4 victory over the Mariners at Yankee Stadium.

To celebrate, the Yankees’ manager lit up an expensive stogie.

“I’ve been smoking them before the game,” Torre said.

Pettitte (18-7) came to New York’s rescue again, shaking off a rough start to become the American League’s first 18-game winner. He gave up two hits in the first inning, including Jay Buhner’s three-run homer, but settled down to limit the Mariners to one hit--an Alex Rodriguez homer in the sixth--the rest of the way.

Pettitte improved to 11-2 following a Yankee loss and prevented not only the team’s first four-game losing streak this season, but also Seattle’s first ever sweep of New York.

Martinez homered and Cecil Fielder had four hits, including a homer. Darryl Strawberry added three hits and Bernie Williams homered.

Chicago 12, Detroit 7--Ozzie Guillen and Danny Tartabull hit three-run homers in the ninth inning for the White Sox at Detroit.

Pinch-hitter Curtis Pride put Detroit ahead, 7-5, with a three-run homer in the sixth, but Jose Lima (3-6) couldn’t hold the lead and the Tigers stretched a losing streak to eight for the third time this season.

Texas 10, Cleveland 3--Roger Pavlik pitched a four-hitter and Juan Gonzalez drove in four runs at Cleveland as the Rangers broke an American League record with their 15th consecutive errorless game.

Pavlik (14-6) gave up four walks with two strikeouts in his seventh complete game of the year.

Dean Palmer hit his 29th homer for the Rangers, who scored eight runs off Jack McDowell (10-8). McDowell has given up 13 earned runs on 16 hits in 5 1/3 innings over his last two starts.

Milwaukee 6, Minnesota 1--Marc Newfield hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and the Brewers turned two errors into four unearned runs at Minneapolis.

Jeff D’Amico (4-5) won for the first time in five starts since July 21. D’Amico gave up one run and four hits in seven innings.

Frank Rodriguez (11-10) lost his third consecutive start despite giving up only one earned run and five hits in six innings.

Toronto 2, Kansas City 1--Joe Carter tripled in the ninth inning and scored on Charlie O’Brien’s sacrifice fly, giving the Blue Jays a victory at Kansas City.

Carter tripled into the gap in right-center with one out. Ed Sprague was intentionally walked, and O’Brien hit a drive to the warning track in left.

Rookie Jose Rosado (4-3), who won four of his previous five starts, struck out three and walked one, lowering his earned-run average to 1.75 over his last six starts.

Paul Spoljaric (2-0) pitched the eighth and Mike Timlin finished for his 22nd save.