AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Yankees Keep Winning on Barfield’s Homer

Jesse Barfield has four hits during the New York Yankees’ current home stand--all home runs.

Barfield’s homer against Chuck Crim with two out in the ninth inning Friday night gave the Yankees a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

“This is the most exciting time I’ve had as a Yankee,” Barfield said. “Nothing takes the place of winning.”

Barfield’s 10th homer gave the Yankees their seventh victory in eight games and produced a happy ending on a night that started out on a bad note for New York.

Pascual Perez, making his fourth start of the season, walked Paul Molitor on five pitches, then left the game because of stiffness behind his surgically-repaired right shoulder.

Eric Plunk replaced Perez and gave up up one run and five hits in five innings. Steve Howe (2-0) pitched one inning for the victory.

Chicago 5, Oakland 4--Scott Fletcher gave the White Sox the victory with a bases-loaded, two-out single in the ninth inning at Chicago.

Frank Thomas, who had homered, led off the inning with a single against reliever Steve Chitren (1-1). Dan Pasqua sacrificed Thomas to second and Carlton Fisk was intentionally walked. One out later, pinch-hitter Warren Newson walked, setting the stage for Fletcher’s hit that gave Bobby Thigpen (3-1) the victory.

Dave Stewart gave up four runs and 10 hits in eight innings for the Athletics, who got a grand slam from Mike Gallego in the second inning.

Tim Raines had four hits for the White Sox. He also stole two bases to tie Bert Campaneris for eighth place on the career list with 649.

Kansas City 4, Minnesota 1--Bret Saberhagen earned his fifth consecutive victory and pitched his third complete game as Manager Hal McRae got his first victory at home.

Saberhagen (6-3) gave up four hits and struck out four. He retired the last 11 Twins and 21 of the last 22.

Royal third baseman Kevin Seitzer, playing for the first time since April 29, when he was hit by a pitch on the wrist, drove in a run in the fourth inning.

Kevin Tapani (2-6) suffered his sixth consecutive loss.

Texas 7, Seattle 6--The Rangers got back on the winning track at Arlington, Tex., and moved into first place in the AL West as Gerald Alexander won his first start of the season.

Alexander (3-0) gave up one run on six hits in seven innings as the Rangers ended a three-game losing streak that followed a club-record 14-game winning streak.

Jeff Russell pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for his 12th save.

Boston 7, Baltimore 2--Tom Brunansky drove in three runs at Boston to help Mike Gardiner gain a victory in his Red Sox debut.

Gardiner (1-0), a 25-year-old right-hander, gave up six hits, two walks and struck out five in seven innings.

Jose Mesa (4-5) took the loss.

Cleveland 11, Detroit 9--Brook Jacoby had three hits, including a solo home run, as the Indians got 16 hits at Cleveland.

Sergio Valdez (1-0) got the victory.