Baseball Roundup : Madlock Hits Homer, 2 Singles in Tigers’ Loss

Former Dodger Bill Madlock, playing in his first American League game in 14 years, hit a two-run homer and two singles Thursday night, but it was not enough to prevent the Detroit Tigers from being beaten, 8-5, by the Red Sox at Boston.

Madlock, a four-time National League batting champion released by the Dodgers last week and signed by the Tigers Thursday, singled and scored in the second inning on Larry Herndon’s third homer. Madlock’s home run put the Tigers ahead, 4-3, in the sixth.

The Red Sox bounced back against Walt Terrell (4-6) and relievers Willie Hernandez and Mike Henneman to go in front to stay in their half of the sixth.

Wade Boggs had three of the Red Sox’s 14 hits, including an RBI triple in a five-run sixth inning. In 27 games since being moved from leadoff to third in the batting order on May 5, Boggs is hitting .417, with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs.

“I just feel very comfortable hitting in the No. 3 spot in the order,” Boggs said after raising his American League-leading average to .354.

“I’m getting a chance to drive in more runs, and that’s helping the club more than my hitting in the leadoff spot.”

The win went to Bruce Hurst (6-4), who struck out six, including Kirk Gibson with the bases loaded to end the game, and walked only one.

Kansas City 6, Seattle 1--Bret Saberhagen threw a seven-hitter in Seattle for his major league-leading 10th victory, helping the Royals snap a five-game losing streak and handing the Mariners their third straight loss.

Saberhagen (10-1) struck out five and walked four in his sixth complete game. Seattle right-hander Mike Morgan (5-6) was the loser.

Former Mariner Danny Tartabull had three hits, including a two-run homer in the sixth to snap a 1-1 tie. Kevin Seitzer had three hits, and Steve Balboni drove in two runs with a homer and a double.

Milwaukee 9, New York 3--Rob Deer hit two solo homers, and the Brewers scored seven runs in the fifth inning as they overcame the Yankees at Milwaukee for their sixth straight victory.

Teddy Higuera (5-5) ended his five-game losing streak with his first victory since April 24. He gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 8 innings. The Brewers backed him with nine hits and four double plays.

Deer hit his 13th and 14th homers to left field in the second and fourth innings for a 2-0 lead off Joe Niekro (3-4). It was Deer’s third two-homer game of the season.

St. Louis 3, Chicago 1--Jack Clark, who earlier this week was robbed of two home runs on outstanding catches by Eric Davis in Cincinnati, hit a two-run homer deep into the left-center-field bleachers in the first inning to spark the Cardinals at Chicago.

Clark’s homer, on a 3-and-2 pitch with two out, helped make a loser of Greg Maddux (4-5) and a winner of Danny Cox (6-2). Cox needed eighth-inning help from Todd Worrell, who picked up his 12th save.

Atlanta 8, Pittsburgh 3--Dale Murphy and Andres Thomas each hit home runs in a four-run first inning, helping the Braves subdue the Pirates at Atlanta.

The Braves sent nine batters to the plate in the first against Brian Fisher (2-2).

The victory went to Zane Smith (6-3), who allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings. He walked 4 and struck out 5. Jeff Dedmon pitched the final two innings for his third save.