American League Roundup : Indians Hit 2 Grand Slams in Win

In the hitter’s paradise known as the Metrodome, pitching takes a beating.

But the Cleveland Indians, who have been leading the American League East on the strength of their excellent pitching, have some power, too.

Cory Snyder and Joe Carter each hit grand slams, and Greg Swindell, despite being hit harder than in any other start, gained his fourth win in a row Friday night, an 11-6 drubbing of the World Series champion Minnesota Twins.

Snyder’s slam, his fifth home run of the season, ended a 1-for-15 slump and was the highlight of a six-run first inning that made a loser out of Bert Blyleven.

While the Twins are off to a poor start (4-10), the Indians have reversed last season’s slow beginning and are 13-3.

After the Twins pulled within 7-6 in the seventh and sent Swindell to the showers, Carter put the game on ice with his bases-loaded home run in the eighth. Last season, Carter was only 5 for 32 against the Twins.

With the Yankees losing to Toronto, the Indians, who were 1-10 at the start last season, took over sole possession of first place.

Toronto 6, New York 4--The Blue Jays are beginning to play winning baseball.

They had to battle from behind in the late innings at New York and finally scored three runs in the 12th inning to win their fourth in a row.

The Yankees appeared to breezing when Rick Rhoden left after six innings with a 3-1 lead. But Cecilio Guante gave up a run in the eighth, and Dave Righetti, after shutting down a rally in the eighth, gave up a run-scoring single to Lloyd Moseby in the ninth as the Blue Jays tied it.

Moseby opened the 12th with a single and scored the go-ahead run on pinch-hitter Nelson Liriano’s single. Two more hits, a walk and an infield out produced two more runs.

Henke pitched the 12th for the Blue Jays. He gave up Don Slaught’s third home run but gained his fourth save.

Detroit 5, Texas 3--Tom Brookens scored the go-ahead run in the third inning at Arlington, Tex., then hit a two-run homer to help Doyle Alexander win another game.

Alexander (2-1) gave up 7 hits in 8 innings, striking out 6 and not walking a batter. Although Alexander retired the last 12 batters he faced, Manager Sparky Anderson brought Mike Henneman in to get the last two outs and pick up his sixth save.

One of the hits off Alexander was Pete Incaviglia’s first home run of the season.

Chicago 7, Oakland 5--Carlton Fisk hit a two-run home run with two out in the 10th inning at Chicago to end the Athletics’ four-game winning streak.

It was the fifth home run of the season for Fisk, the 40-year-old catcher.

Greg Walker singled with two out, and Fisk followed with the 309th home run of his career.