AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Yankees Are Happy That Cone in a Zone

David Cone, who has made a career of getting teams into the playoffs, has put the New York Yankees on the brink of their first postseason berth since 1981.

Working on three days’ rest for the first time in four years, Cone pitched eight strong innings Wednesday and the Yankees defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-3.

The Angels’ 2-0 victory over the Mariners left the Yankees 1 1/2 games ahead in the wild-card race.

Cone (18-8) improved to 9-2 in 13 starts since the Yankees acquired him from Toronto on July 28. He gave up one run and six hits, walked three and struck out five.

Cone, who led the New York Mets to the playoffs in 1988 and the Blue Jays in 1992, will start Sunday only if the Yankees haven’t wrapped up the wild card.

Cleveland 9, Minnesota 6--Albert Belle and Eddie Murray each homered twice at Minneapolis.

Belle, who hit his 48th and 49th homers, became the eighth player in major league history to get 100 extra-base hits in a season.

Murray’s second-inning homer gave him his 75th RBI of the season, tying Hank Aaron’s major league record of 19 consecutive seasons with at least 75 RBIs.

Texas 11, Oakland 2--Rusty Greer’s three-run homer highlighted a five-run first inning at Arlington, Tex., and Kenny Rogers matched a career high with his 16th victory.

The Rangers kept alive their slim hopes for the franchise’s first playoff appearance in 23 years. Another loss by Texas or a victory by the Yankees will eliminate the Rangers.

Detroit 7, Boston 5--Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield had his third consecutive poor start as the Tigers outslugged the playoff-bound Red Sox at Boston.

Wakefield (16-7), who earlier this year was a contender for the Cy Young Award, is 2-6 with a 6.02 ERA in nine outings since starting the year 14-1.

Chicago 6, Kansas City 0--Barry Lyons drove in a career-high five runs at Kansas City and Mike Sirotka got his first major league victory.

Sirotka (1-2), who spent the season in the minors before he was brought up Sept. 5, gave up three hits in eight innings, struck out eight and walked two.

Baltimore 7, Toronto 0--Scott Erickson pitched a three-hitter at Toronto as the Orioles blanked the Blue Jays for the second game in a row.