American League Roundup : Orioles Lose More Ground in Defeat by Twins

The Baltimore Orioles’ longest losing streak this season reached eight games Thursday night when Kent Hrbek drove in three runs and led the Minnesota Twins to a 10-6 victory at Minneapolis.

The Orioles’ Americsn League East lead was narrowed to four games over Toronto and Cleveland, their smallest margin since June 17. Baltimore has lost the first seven of a 14-game trip.

Baltimore begins a three-game series in Kansas City tonight.

Hrbek, who hit two home runs in the Twins’ 5-4 victory Wednesday night, hit a two-run double in the first inning and had a RBI grounder in the third to make it 4-0.

Roy Smith (6-4) did not give up a run although he faced a bases-loaded, no-out threat in the first inning. He yielded seven hits, including Craig Worthington’s two-run home run in the seventh, in 6 2/3 innings.

The Twins chased Pete Harnish with four runs in the sixth. Kirby Puckett got his third hit of the game, a two-run single, and Brian Harper had an RBI single. Gary Gaetti drew a bases-loaded walk from reliever Mark Thurmond for an 8-0 lead.

Boston 7, Kansas City 2--Kevin Romine had a double and hit his first homer of the season as the Red Sox ended Royal Tom Gordon’s seven-game winning streak at Boston.

Gordon (11-4) gave up five runs on eight hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings. It was his first loss since May 28.

John Dopson (9-5), who allowed three hits and seven walks in five-plus innings, was the winner.

With a 4-0 lead, Dopson walked three consecutive batters at the start of the sixth and was replaced by Rob Murphy.

Murphy struck out two, but Willie Wilson hit a two-run double before Kevin Seitzer grounded out to end the inning.

The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead in the first on two walks and singles by Danny Heep and Nick Esasky.

Romine led off the third with a double and scored when Matt Winters bobbled Mike Greenwell’s single. The hit extended Greenwell’s hitting streak to 11 games.

“Batting third and hitting a home run was the furthest thing from my mind a few weeks ago,” Romine said. “I was just hoping I’d get called up again.”

Milwaukee 11, Detroit 1--Rob Deer’s fourth career grand slam capped a six-run sixth inning as the Brewers won at Milwaukee.

Robin Yount had two singles, extending his hitting streak to 17 games and matching a streak by New York’s Don Mattingly as the longest this season in the AL. Ozzie Guillen of Chicago equaled it Thursday night against the Angels.

Charles Hudson, the second Detroit pitcher, gave up eight hits and eight runs in three innings. Starter Paul Gibson (2-5) went five innings. He last won on May 21.