INDIANS Crisp helps Tribe end 9-game slump

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Coco Crisp caused more commotion than a runaway squirrel.
Crisp dived headfirst for a go-ahead bunt single in the eighth inning that sent Cleveland over the New York Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday night, ending the Indians' nine-game losing streak.
The Indians rallied for two runs in the eighth, providing an entertaining end to the 30,605 fans who spent much of the evening cheering for a squirrel.
Secret weapon
"It was the Rally Squirrel. He was our secret weapon," Crisp said. "They've got the Rally Monkey in Anaheim and we've got our guy."
The little brown critter ran onto the field in the third inning, later darting between Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.
He spent the rest of the game on the field. Play was held up several times, including in the seventh inning with Jeter at the plate and a runner on second. Several players smiled and grinned at the sight.
"I don't think I've ever seen a squirrel hang out for entire ball game like that," Indians manager Eric Wedge said.
Winning rally
Cleveland trailed 3-2 when Tom Gordon (6-4) walked Ben Broussard and Casey Blake to start the eighth. Jody Gerut sacrificed both runners over and Ronnie Belliard's sacrifice fly tied it.
Crisp then laid down a drag bunt past Gordon, diving headfirst to barely beat second baseman Enrique Wilson's throw. He jumped to his feet after being called safe and pulled off his helmet.
Wedge raved about the play.
"Coco did it on his own," he said. "That's what you need in this situation -- somebody to step up and have the guts to make something happen."
Riske gets win
David Riske (7-2) went 11/3 perfect innings and Rafael Betancourt got three outs for his third save in 10 chances. Gordon won the first two games of the series and was appearing in his fourth straight game.
"We felt comfortable sending him out there," Torre said. "He's our closer in the eighth inning. He's used to being in trouble and pitching out of it."
The Yankees' lead over Boston in the AL East was trimmed to 51/2 games when the Red Sox beat Toronto 11-5. Cleveland, which had been one game behind AL Central-leading Minnesota on Aug. 15, climbed back to .500.
Lofton gets 2000th
Kenny Lofton singled for his 2,000th career hit. The Yankees' DH, who played nine seasons for Cleveland, got a standing ovation from the crowd and tipped his batting helmet while standing on first base.
New York lost for the first time in Orlando Hernandez's nine starts. He changed speeds and confused Cleveland's hitters all night, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks in six innings.
Indians starter Jake Westbrook allowed three runs -- one earned -- in six-plus innings.