COMBINED REPORTS


CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Cincinnati Reds sent center fielder Deion Sanders and four minor-leaguers to the San Francisco Giants for pitchers Mark Portugal and Dave Burba and center fielder Darren Lewis.


The Reds reluctantly gave up their marquee player -- Sanders had become their most high-profile star since arriving in a trade one year ago -- in order to get pitching to keep in playoff contention in Friday's eight-player deal.


Cincinnati, leading the National League's Central Division, has the best record in the league. But starter Jose Rijo left a game this week with an injured elbow, and the Reds are not sure whether he will be able to pitch again this year.


General manager Jim Bowden's lip quivered when he talked about having to include Sanders in the deal.


"It was difficult to trade Deion," Bowden said. "He was one of my favorite people. But it's a business."


Sanders has been bothered with an ankle sprain this season, and is hitting .240 with 16 stolen bases in 33 games.


In addition to the two-sport star, the Reds gave up pitchers John Roper, Ricky Pickett and Scott Service and infielder Dave McCarty. Roper currently is sidelined by a sore shoulder.


The San Francisco 49ers believe that having Sanders in the city could give them an edge in their attempts to re-sign the National Football League free agent.


Sanders, who last year helped the 49ers to their fifth Super Bowl title, is expected to resume playing football once he completes his baseball duties.


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Oakland Athletics pitcher Dave Stewart retired Sunday after a 16-year career.


"This is not easy," said Stewart, a four-time 20-game winner who has struggled this season with a 3-7 record and a 6.89 ERA.


Earlier this week, the 38-year-old starter volunteered for the bullpen, but said he realized he would never be happy as a reliever.


"He is exactly what all of us want major leaguers to be," A's manager Tony La Russa said. Stewart, with a career mark of 168-129, was named the AL playoffs MVP in 1990 and 1993. He was 8-0 with a 2.03 ERA with the A's in AL playoff games since 1988. He also was named MVP in the 1989 World Series when the A's swept the San Francisco Giants.


Stewart never won a Cy Young Award, but that doesn't bother him. He points to his three World Series rings, his 20-win seasons from 1987-1990, his post-season record. "I'll take that and have some other guys wish they were in my shoes," he said.


Twins 8, Red Sox 3. A difficult season for Boston Red Sox right-hander Roger Clemens took yet another turn for the worse Sunday when he injured his pitching elbow in a poor performance against the Minnesota Twins.


Clemens had the worst outing of the his career in the loss, allowing eight runs and nine hits with two walks in 1 1/3 innings. He was examined by team doctor Arthur Pappas, who did not like what he saw.


"When he came out, there was significant swelling on the inner side of his [right] elbow," Pappas said. "He felt pain on the inner side of his elbow as well as pain running down his arm into his hand.


"The pain and swelling indicates that the muscle and nerve in that area are suspect," Pappas said. "We are going to pursue this with an MRI [magnetic resonance imaging exam]."


The 32-year-old Clemens, a three-time Cy Young award winner, is 3-3 with a 5.66 earned run average this year.


Yankees 11, Rangers 4. Jack McDowell was treated tolerably by the crowd of 32,765 in his first appearance since twirling his middle finger in an obscene gesture at fans last Tuesday after a poor outing.


McDowell (8-6) heard a brief chorus of boos when his name was announced before the game, but that was the only negative reaction he received. He went six innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs with two walks and six strikeouts.


In other AL action Sunday, it was White Sox 11, Brewers 6; Mariners 6, Blue Jays 4; Indians 2, Athletics 0; and Angels 13, Tigers 2.


In NL action, it was Reds 7, Cubs 5, 10 innings; Rockies 8, Mets 5; Braves 2, Padres 1; Phillies 10, Cardinals 6; Expos 8, Pirates 2; Astros 3, Giants 2, 10 innings; and Dodgers 4, Marlins 2.


(For other results, see scorecard.)


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