American League Roundup : Royals’ Slim Hopes a Bit Fatter After Win Over Twins

Danny Tartabull hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning at Minneapolis to give Kansas City a 7-4 victory over the Twins and keep the Royals’ slim hopes alive in the American League West.

Tartabull’s 31st homer gave him his 20th game-winning run batted in, tops in the major leagues. It cut the Twins’ lead in the division to five games and left their magic number at four.

Tartabull had one of the Royals’ five homers Friday night as they won the series opener, 6-4. The Royals believe they have a chance to win the title if they can beat the Twins again today.

If the Royals sweep, they will be four behind, and the Twins must play their last six games on the road, where they are only 28-47. Minnesota’s last three games are at Kansas City.

“If they haven’t clinched by the time they get to Kansas City next weekend, we can win it, “ Manager John Wathan said. “I liked the way we came back in this one.”

The Twins showed no sign of panic. “It’s getting down to the wire, but we’ve still got plenty of time,” Gary Gaetti said.

The Royals will start Charlie Leibrandt (15-10) against Joe Niekro (7-12) today. With one home game left, the Twins are 55-25 at the Metrodome.

The Twins will play three games at Texas before winding up at Kansas City. The Royals finish at home, playing Seattle three times before the Twins arrive.

Chicago 3, Oakland 2--The Athletics’ title hopes just about ended in the ninth inning at Oakland when an error by third baseman Carney Lansford helped the White Sox come from behind to score twice.

Greg Walker’s two-out single scored Daryl Boston from second base with the winning run.

The Athletics are six games behind Minnesota with seven to play.

Milwaukee 3, Boston 2--Paul Molitor lost ground in his bid for the batting title at Milwaukee as Mike Felder’s two-run homer paced the Brewers.

Molitor, who has enough plate appearances to qualify for the title, went 0 for 3. He dropped to .356. Wade Boggs, nursing a bruised knee that may keep him out the rest of the season, is at .363.

New York 2, Baltimore 0--Pete Filson gave up five hits in seven innings to win his first game since 1985 and hand the Orioles their 51st loss at home.

Seattle 2, Texas 1--Mickey Brantley hit a two-run homer to lift the Mariners to victory at Seattle.