American League Roundup : Twins Get 3 Little Indians at Once in 7-2 Win

The Minnesota Twins turned their second triple play of the season in the top of the fourth inning and scored three runs in the bottom of the inning as they beat the Cleveland Indians, 7-2, Monday night at Minneapolis.

The triple play came when the Indians’ Joe Carter lined a shot to deep left field with Willie Upshaw on first base and Ron Washington at second. Both runners broke on contact, only to have the Twins’ Dan Gladden make a leaping catch.

Gladden threw to second baseman Steve Lombardozzi to catch Washington off base. Lombardozzi threw to first baseman Gene Larkin to get Upshaw for the third out.

Minnesota turned a triple play on opening day against the New York Yankees. Monday’s triple play was the Twins’ eighth in their 28-year history and the first time they turned two in one season.

Kirby Puckett opened the bottom of the fourth with a double off Chris Codiroli (0-3) and Gary Gaetti followed with a triple. Larkin connected for his fifth home run of the year to give the Twins a 3-0 lead.

Minnesota pitcher Allan Anderson (10-7) allowed six hits in 6 innings for his fourth straight win.

Detroit 3, Texas 2--Jim Walewander scored the game-winning run on a balk by reliever Ed Vande Berg, and the Tigers overcame a 2-0 deficit at Arlington, Tex., to increase their lead in the East to 3 1/2 games over the Yankees and Boston.

The Rangers took a 2-0 lead in the fifth when Bob Brower singled and Ruben Sierra snapped a 3-for-28 slump with his 16th home run.

But the Tigers’ Darrell Evans had a two-run double in the seventh, and Walewander, running for Evans, advanced to third on a groundout before the balk.

Frank Tanana (13-7) allowed five hits, walked three and struck out four in six innings for his fourth straight win against Texas. Mike Henneman relieved Tanana and earned his 19th save, retiring Steve Buechele on a fly ball to center with the bases loaded and two out in the ninth.

Toronto 5, Kansas City 1--Jeff Musselman, activated less than a month ago after undergoing rotator cuff surgery in the off-season, allowed three hits over seven innings to defeat the Royals at Toronto.

Musselman (4-1) struck out five, walked four, and lowered his earned-run average to 1.80. The only run off Musselman came in the sixth inning when Willie Wilson doubled, stole third and scored on George Brett’s sacrifice fly.

Tom Henke relieved Musselman and pitched two hitless innings for his 21st save.

Tony Fernandez drove in three runs and Kelly Gruber had three hits for the Blue Jays, who took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and routed Bret Saberhagen (12-11). Saberhagen is 0-3 with a 7.10 ERA against Toronto this season.

Oakland 9 Chicago 5--Dave Henderson had four hits, and Luis Polonia scored three times to lead the Athletics to victory at Oakland.

Bob Welch (13-6) allowed three earned runs in 6 innings for his third straight victory. Greg Cadaret worked two innings, and Dennis Eckersley got one out for his major league-leading 33rd save.

White Sox starter Bill Long (4-7) yielded six runs and eight hits in three-plus innings for the loss. The White Sox have lost 9 of their last 12 games.