AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Road Is Unkind to Red Sox, Too

Back on the road again . . .

That’s where the Boston Red Sox sought to snap out of a slump and increase their lead in the American League East. But instead, the Red Sox ended a seven-game road winning streak, losing to the White Sox Thursday night in Chicago, 9-6.

The Red Sox lost for the fourth time in six games but maintained their four-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays, who lost to the Baltimore Orioles.

With Oakland losing to Minnesota Twins, Chicago trails the Athletics in the American League West by 10 games.

The White Sox and Red Sox were tied, 1-1, when Ivan Calderon, batting leadoff for the first time in his career, doubled to start a tiebreaking three-run third inning. He then broke the game open with a three-run homer in the fourth.

“He suggested (leading off) in Cleveland (on Wednesday),” Chicago Manager Jeff Torborg said. “I said OK, and we tried it. We decided to shake up the lineup, and it worked out.”

Matt Stark hit a two-run double for his first major league RBIs and fellow rookie Alex Fernandez struggled through the first five innings but won for the first time in three weeks. He pitched seven innings, giving up three runs and nine hits.

Tom Bolton lasted 3 1/3 innings and lost for only the second time in his last eight decisions. Bolton gave up seven runs and nine hits.

Baltimore 5, Toronto 3--David Segui and Steve Finley drove in two runs apiece in a five-run sixth inning and Jose Mesa scattered six hits over 6 2/3 innings for his first victory of the year as the Orioles won at Toronto.

Baltimore’s Cal Ripken started the sixth with a double and Sam Horn walked. Mickey Tettleton singled and the throw from right fielder Junior Felix was on target, but catcher Pat Borders caught the ball in front of the plate, giving Ripken room to slide in safely.

Craig Worthington walked to load the bases, and Segui doubled to score Horn and Tettleton. Dave Stieb struck out Billy Ripken but Finley delivered a two-run single that knocked out Stieb.

Minnesota 3, Oakland 1--Paul Sorrento hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning as the Twins won at Oakland.

The A’s managed only three hits off Scott Erickson and Juan Berenguer.

Brian Harper walked with one out in the 10th against Oakland reliever Gene Nelson and Sorrento hit the 2-and-0 pitch into the right-field bleachers for his fifth home run of the season.

The A’s lead over Chicago in the American League West was reduced to 10 games.

New York 7, Detroit 3--Rookie Kevin Maas hit a two-run home run in the first inning, his 18th in 200 at-bats, and Mike Witt pitched a five-hitter as the Yankees won at Detroit.

Witt pitched his second complete game despite a home run in the ninth by Cecil Fielder, his 46th.

Loser Walt Terrell gave up four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings. He also hit three batters and walked one.