BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Yankees Rally for Four in 8th to Bring Down Blue Jays, 7-6

The New York Yankees scored four runs in the eighth inning, three on Matt Nokes’ home run, and defeated the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays, 7-6, Thursday night at Toronto.

It was New York’s third consecutive victory, equaling its longest win streak this year. The last time was May 3-5 against the Angels.

The Yankees’ eighth-inning runs came on rookie Jim Leyritz’s tiebreaking single and Nokes’ pinch homer.

The rally broke a 3-3 tie and gave rookie Alan Mills (1-2) his first major league victory.

Mills was replaced in the eighth inning by Dave Righetti, who earned his 14th save despite a two-run homer by George Bell with two out in the ninth. Kansas City 14, Minnesota 4--The Royals collected a season-high 20 hits, including eight doubles and two home runs, to beat the Twins in Minneapolis.

Kevin Seitzer went five for six with a home run and two doubles, Steve Jeltz had four RBIs and Bo Jackson hit a three-run homer to lead Kansas City.

It was Minnesota’s fourth consecutive loss and seventh in a row at home, equaling its longest home losing streak since May 1982.

The Twins have lost 13 of their last 14 games and are 3-16 in June after going 21-7 in May.

Tom Gordon (4-4) yielded four runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Cleveland 4, Baltimore 3--Tom Brookens’ infield hit with the bases loaded and two out in the 10th inning gave the Indians a victory over Baltimore at Cleveland.

Mitch Webster led off the 10th with a bunt single and took second on Jerry Browne’s sacrifice. Carlos Baerga was intentionally walked and, one out later, Candy Maldonado walked to load the bases.

Brookens followed with a sharp ground ball off the glove of third baseman Tim Hulett.

Baerga, a rookie, is eight for 19--.421--as a pinch-hitter, the most pinch-hits by a Cleveland player since Gomer Hodge had 16 in 1971.

Atlanta 4, Cincinnati 3--Pinch-hitter Tommy Gregg’s two-run double off Rob Dibble with two out in the ninth inning lifted the Braves over the Reds at Atlanta.

Dibble (4-2) walked Dave Justice and Gregg Olson before Gregg, batting .100, lined a double to the center-field fence, scoring Justice and pinch-runner Alexis Infante.