American League Roundup : A’s Lose Doubleheader at Cleveland, 3-0, 4-2

Scott Bailes pitched a five-hitter for his second career shutout, and Rick Rodriguez earned his first victory of the year Tuesday as the Cleveland Indians swept a doubleheader from the Oakland Athletics, 3-0 and 4-2, at Cleveland.

Cory Snyder hit a two-run home run in the first game and had a pair of run-scoring singles in the nightcap as the Indians, who had lost 8 of 9 and 18 of 24, cut the Athletics’ lead over Minnesota in the West to 4 1/2 games.

In the opener, Bailes (7-7) walked 1 and struck out 3 in his fifth complete game of the year and his first victory in five starts since June 7. The left-hander retired 16 straight during one stretch.

Rodriguez (1-1), held the A’s to 1 run and 6 hits in 6 innings in the nightcap.

Dave Stewart (11-7) was the loser in the first game. He is 3-7 since May 8 after winning his first eight decisions.

Oakland had won five straight.

Minnesota 6, Boston 4--Gary Gaetti’s three-run home run off Lee Smith in the eighth inning at Minneapolis lifted the Twins past the Red Sox for their 21st victory in 30 games.

With one out in the eighth, Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek singled, and, Gaetti, who also had a pair of singles, hit his 18th home run to give the Twins a 6-4 lead.

Reliever Juan Berenguer (8-3) allowed one run on two hits in two innings to get the victory, and Jeff Reardon earned his 23rd save.

Smith (2-4) took the loss, and has lost 5 of 16 save opportunities this year, including 2 straight.

The Red Sox took a 3-0 lead in the fourth when Dwight Evans singled, advanced to third on Ellis Burks’ double, and after Jim Rice walked, both scored on Todd Benzinger’s single. Rice scored later on starter Fred Toliver’s wild pitch.

New York 5, Texas 3--Ranger starter Ray Hayward allowed five runs without retiring a batter and the Yankees held on for the victory at Arlington, Tex., to move within 1 1/2 games of Detroit in the East.

Hayward (4-6) allowed three walks, three hits and a sacrifice fly. Craig McMurtry relieved Hayward and pitched 7 shutout innings.

Tommy John (7-2) allowed 2 runs and 6 hits in 6 innings in earning the 284th victory of his career. Tim Stoddard got the final out with the bases loaded for his second save.

Seattle 5, Detroit 4--Dave Valle’s two-run double highlighted a three-run fourth inning to lead the Mariners at Detroit.

Steve Trout (4-4), the victim of shutouts in his last two starts, gave up a first-inning home run to Luis Salazar, then held the Tigers scoreless until the sixth when they scored twice.

Mike Schooler allowed a run in the ninth, but with runners on first and second and one out, got Salazar to hit into a game-ending double play.

Milwaukee 3, Kansas City 1--Mike Birkbeck, just recalled from the minor leagues, had a shutout for 8 innings in leading the Brewers at Kansas City.

Birkbeck, who was 2-5 with Milwaukee earlier this year and 4-1 with Milwaukee’s triple-A affiliate at Denver, retired the first 13 batters before Pat Tabler singled with one out in the fifth.

Kansas City scored in the ninth when Kurt Stillwell led off with a double and Kevin Seitzer singled him in one out later. Dan Plesac replaced Birkbeck and retired the final two batters for his 18th save.

Baltimore 5, Chicago 1--Jose Bautista pitched a five-hitter, and Cal Ripken homered and drove in three runs to lead the Orioles past the White Sox at Chicago.

Bautista (4-6) struck out six and walked none in his first major league complete game.

Ripken’s home run, a two-run shot, was his 13th of the season and the 22nd of his career against the White Sox, the most he has hit against one club.

Chicago averted a shutout in the sixth when Fred Manrique tripled and scored on Gary Redus’ sacrifice fly.