Cone Silences Doubts and the Indians

David Cone didn’t allow any hits.

Think he’s ready for the playoffs?

Facing the opponent that awaits him in Game 1 of the AL division series next week, Cone no-hit Cleveland for five innings as the New York Yankees beat the Indians, 5-4, in 10 innings Thursday night at Cleveland.

Cone, making his second start after sitting out a month because of shoulder tendinitis, left with a 2-1 lead after throwing 75 pitches. Cleveland sent the game to extra innings with a run off Willie Banks in the seventh, and Ivan Cruz hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the 10th to win it for New York.

“I wish David had never gotten hurt, and we could get more length out of him,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “But when you’re dealing with David Cone, the trust factor is a big part of it. And you trust him in a big game.”

Orel Hershiser, who will face Cone on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, gave up two runs and six hits in six innings and threw 95 pitches.

“I felt good. I threw all of my pitches,” Hershiser said. “There are no aches and pains, and there’s no reason to feel that on Tuesday I won’t be ready to go.”

The defending World Series champions won the season series from Cleveland, 6-5. Cone came out of a game with a no-hitter for the second time in two years. In a dramatic comeback from surgery to remove an aneurysm from his right arm last year, Cone no-hit Oakland for seven innings on Sept. 2 and left after 85 pitches.

Cone walked five, struck out two and gave up one earned run.

Torre said he felt Cone could throw 100 pitches if he had to. Cone is just taking it one pitch at a time.

“I really have no blueprint,” Cone said. “I’m just kind of flying by the seat of my pants right now, doing the best I can.”

Cruz, called up from triple-A on Sept. 15, drove in Andy Fox and Wade Boggs with a single to right off Paul Shuey (4-2) to break a 2-2 tie in the 10th.

Cecil Fielder, who hit his 12th homer in the second, followed Cruz’s single with a sacrifice fly.

“I like what I’m seeing from Cecil,” Torre said.

Toronto 4, Baltimore 3--Wearing No. 43 in honor of fired Blue Jay Manager Cito Gaston, Joe Carter became the Blue Jays’ career leader with his 203rd homer at Toronto.

Carter, who had been tied with George Bell, connected off Mike Mussina (15-8) in the sixth inning. It was his 21st of the season, his first since Aug. 29.

Carter usually wears No. 29 but switched for the night to support Gaston, who was fired Wednesday.

Mussina, scheduled to open Game 1 of the playoffs against Seattle’s Randy Johnson next Wednesday, gave up four runs, three earned, and 10 hits in seven innings, struck out seven and walked one.

Boston 3, Detroit 1--Mo Vaughn hit his 35th homer and Steve Avery made his first start since Aug. 31, triggering a $3.9-million option, as the Red Sox won at Detroit.

Avery gave up two hits in five shutout innings, struck out three and walked two. By reaching 18 starts, Avery triggered a clause in his contract granting a $3.9-million player option for 1998. He is 6-7 with a 6.42 ERA this season and hasn’t won more than eight games in a season since 1993.

Robinson Checo (1-1), the second of four Boston pitchers, pitched a perfect sixth inning. Tom Gordon pitched the ninth for his 11th save, giving up an RBI single to Travis Fryman.

Vaughn, who homered off the top of the right-field roof Wednesday night, started a three-run seventh by driving a 3-and-2 pitch deep into the second deck in right.

Kansas City 2, Milwaukee 1--Jeff King and Rod Myers drove in runs and rookie Glendon Rusch got his sixth victory as the Royals won at Milwaukee.

Rusch (6-9), who had five straight no-decisions and had not won since beating Detroit on Aug. 15, gave up one run and four hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Chicago 10, Minnesota 5--Frank Thomas went three for four with his 35th homer and Magglio Ordonez hit a two-run homer as the White Sox won at Chicago.

Albert Belle and Ray Durham each hit two-run doubles as the White Sox ended a three-game losing streak and stopped the Twins’ winning streak at five games.

Thomas, the AL’s leading hitter, homered in the eighth to raise his average to .354.

Ron Coomer homered twice for the Twins.

Doug Drabek (12-11) gave up five hits in 6 1/3 innings, walked two and struck out three.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Joe Carter Toronto Becomes Blue Jays’ all-time home run leader Win Mo Vaughn Boston 35th home run Win Frank Thomas Chicago 3 for 4, home run, 2 runs Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result David Cone New York 5 innings, 0 hits Win Glendon Rusch Kansas City 7 1/3 innings, 1 run, 4 hits Win Doug Drabek Chicago 6 1/3 innings, 5 hits, 3 strikeouts Win

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