American League Roundup : Boyd Keeps His Mouth Shut After Defeating Indians, 5-2

The usually talkative Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd chose to be silent after quieting the bats of the Cleveland Indians.

“I ain’t doing no talking. I ain’t doing no rapping,” Boyd said after pitching 6 1/3 innings as the Boston Red Sox handed Cleveland its sixth consecutive defeat, 5-2, Thursday.

Two-run home runs by Nick Esasky and Jim Rice and a solo shot by Dwight Evans accounted for all the runs by the Red Sox, who have won three straight games and seven of nine since beginning the season with four losses.

Rich Yett (1-2) took the loss.

Baltimore 2, Kansas City 0--Jeff Ballard became the first Oriole starter to win his first three starts in 16 years as the Orioles blanked the Royals at Baltimore.

Ballard matched Dave McNally’s 1973 start even though the Royals put runners on base in five of the first seven innings. The left-hander allowed seven hits in 8 1/3 innings, and Mark Williamson got the last two outs for his third save.

Minnesota 7, Detroit 2--Carmen Castillo’s RBI double snapped a 2-2 tie and ignited a five-run eighth inning at Minneapolis as the Twins beat the struggling Tigers.

With the score tied, 2-2, Kent Hrbek led off the eighth with a double off Detroit starter Frank Tanana (0-3). Gene Larkin singled pinch-runner Dan Gladden to third, and Castillo lined Tanana’s next pitch into right-center field.

Seattle 5, Chicago 2--Ken Griffey Jr. singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning at Chicago, and the Mariners sent the White Sox to their fourth straight loss.

Chicago has lost eight of its last 10 games, five of six at home.

Scott Bankhead (1-1) allowed five hits en route to his first complete game since Aug. 16, 1988. Barry Jones (1-1) took the loss.