American League Roundup : Davis Performs in Grand Style for Seattle, 9-5

Alvin Davis’ grand slam in the seventh inning and Greg Briley’s two-run homer in the eighth inning led the Seattle Mariners to a 9-5 victory over the Twins at Minnesota Thursday.

Infield singles by Omar Vizquel, Harold Reynolds and Briley loaded the bases before Davis connected for the sixth grand slam of his career and his seventh homer of the season to put Seattle ahead, 7-5.

Briley then hit his second home run of the season with Vizquel aboard. Vizquel reached base on a one-out single to right.

Seattle Manager Jim Lefebvre is happy to have Davis back in the lineup, after Davis recently spent time on the disabled list with a strained left calf muscle.

“We missed him when he was on the disabled list,” Lefebvre said. “He means so much to this team because he is our top threat. He’s a guy we rely on. Hitting that grand slam is another one of those things that makes him great.

“We have guys who can hit well ahead and behind him in our order. Now he is in a perfect batting position.”

Reliever Dennis Powell (2-2), retired the Twins in order in the sixth to get the victory. Mike Jackson pitched the final three innings to gain his third save.

Milwaukee 6, Toronto 4--Gary Sheffield’s seventh-inning sacrifice fly drove in the winning run and Rob Deer hit two home runs at Milwaukee as Brewer reliever Tony Fossas earned his first major league victory.

Jim Gantner and Paul Molitor opened Milwaukee’s winning rally with consecutive singles. Gus Polidor forced Molitor at second before Sheffield drove in Gantner with a flyball to left.

Said Deer, who has 15 home runs this season: “The first time up (a line drive to shortstop), I hit a slider. I hit it hard so I thought I wouldn’t see another slider. I went up looking for fastballs after that and that’s what I got. It was just one of those days when I got good pitches to hit and I hit them.”

Toronto starter Jimmy Key (6-6) took the loss.

Robin Yount’s club record for most consecutive games played ended at 276 when the Brewer center fielder missed the game with a bruised left knee.

Kansas City 5, Cleveland 4--Bill Buckner reached 1,200 career RBIs by driving in three runs, two of them during a three-run eighth inning that gave the Royals a come-from-behind victory at Cleveland.

The Royals trailed, 4-0, after two innings and were behind, 4-2, entering the eighth. But George Brett started the inning with a walk, finishing Cleveland starter John Farrell, and Bo Jackson singled off reliever Doug Jones (2-3), who blew a save for only the third time in 17 opportunities.

After Jim Eisenreich struck out, Buckner doubled just inside the left-field line, scoring both runners. Pinch-runner Bill Pecota went to third on Matt Winters’ single, and pinch-hitter Pat Tabler grounded to second, scoring Pecota with the winning run.

Bret Saberhagen (6-4) gave up four runs, three of them earned, and seven hits in seven innings. Jeff Montgomery and Steve Farr each pitched an inning, with Farr getting his 15th save in 17 opportunities.

Baltimore 3, New York 2--Rene Gonzales singled home the winning run with two out in the 10th inning to give the Orioles a victory at Baltimore.

Gonzales’ hit snapped an 0-for-9 slump and drove in Mickey Tettleton, who led off with a double off Lance McCullers (2-2).

Mark Thurmond (2-1), pitched the 10th inning and earned the victory for Baltimore after starter Jeff Ballard allowed two runs and 10 hits in 7 1/3 innings.

After Tettleton’s double, Joe Orsulak was intentionally walked, Randy Milligan popped out and Larry Sheets flied out before Gonzales got his game-winning hit.

In the first inning, the Orioles completed the first AL triple play of the season and their first in 10 years. After singles by Rickey Henderson, Steve Sax and Don Mattingly gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead, Steve Balboni lined to shortstop Cal Ripken, who threw to second baseman Bill Ripken to double Sax, and the relay to Milligan at first got the third out.