Yankees Get Weaver in Three-Team Trade

After the Yankees dispatched the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-3, Friday at Yankee Stadium, New York added even more pitching for the second half by acquiring Jeff Weaver from Detroit in a three-team trade that also included Oakland.

As part of the deal, the Athletics sent first baseman Carlos Pena to the Tigers and the Yankees dealt pitcher Ted Lilly to Oakland.

To get Weaver, the Yankees also sent the A’s two top prospects: outfielder John-Ford Griffin and right-handed pitcher Jason Arnold. Both are 22 and were with New York’s double-A team, Norwich.

Orlando Hernandez pitched six shutout innings and Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada homered to lead New York to its fifth consecutive win, but the Yankees made more noise with their front office.

“We had to seize the moment and acquire one of the best young starters in baseball,� Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman said. “We’re a pitching-oriented organization. Pitching is what’s going to make or break us.�

Weaver, a 25-year-old right-hander, is 6-8 with a 3.18 earned-run average on a Tiger team that is 30-53. He had been linked to several teams in trade speculation.

Weaver joins a New York rotation that already includes Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens, David Wells and Hernandez--one that is so strong that it had reduced now-injured Sterling Hitchcock to a reliever and spot starter.

Clemens, Hernandez and Wells are all over 35 and have missed starts this year. Earlier Friday, the Yankees scratched Clemens from his scheduled start against Toronto on Sunday and said Lilly would take his place.

Lilly, a 26-year-old left-hander, is 3-6 with a 3.40 ERA in 11 starts and two relief appearances.

Detroit also acquired minor league right-hander Franklin German, and a player to be named from Oakland.

Minnesota 8, Seattle 4--Torii Hunter hit a tiebreaking grand slam to cap an eight-run seventh inning as the Twins rallied at Seattle.

The American League Central-leading Twins ended a nine-game losing streak against the AL West-leading Mariners and they ended a six-game losing streak in Seattle. Eric Milton (10-6) retired the final 10 batters for his first career victory over Seattle.

Detroit 9, Boston 5--On the night they mourned the death of Ted Williams with black armbands and a moment of silence, the Red Sox lost at Fenway Park. Williams’ retired No. 9 was etched by a lawn mower in the left-field grass, where the Hall of Famer played, and the center-field flag hung at half-staff. Rookie shortstop Ramon Santiago had a career-high three RBIs to lead the Tigers.

Texas 7, Baltimore 6--Pinch-hitter Frank Catalanotto had an RBI single with two out in the bottom of the ninth to complete the Rangers’ rally at Arlington, Texas. Alex Rodriguez, who had a two-run homer in the eighth inning, tied the score with an RBI groundout earlier in the ninth. It was the first time the Rangers won when trailing after eight innings. They were 0-35 before Friday night.

Oakland 4, Kansas City 3--John Mabry hit a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth for the Athletics at Oakland. With the A’s trailing, 3-1, in the ninth, Jermaine Dye’s RBI single scored Miguel Tejada before Mabry’s winning hit.

Cleveland 4, Chicago 2--Ellis Burks homered and Danys Baez pitched six strong innings as the Indians ended a five-game losing streak and won at Chicago.