AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Athletics Win, but Weiss Injured

Rickey Henderson’s game-winning hit was the last thing on Oakland Manager Tony La Russa’s mind.

La Russa’s difficult week continued Thursday when starting shortstop Walt Weiss injured ligaments in his left ankle during Oakland’s 9-8 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Oakland.

La Russa was in no mood to enjoy his team’s three-game sweep of the Brewers.

“We’re paying too big a price right now,” La Russa said. “I’m good at showing emotion, but not very good about talking about it. I’d rather lose for two weeks than not have him around.”

Ever since catcher Terry Steinbach was hit in the head with a pitch by Chicago’s Bobby Thigpen last Saturday--followed by La Russa’s postgame shouting match with a reporter--the Oakland manager has been dealing with one team accident after another.

Weiss, who injured his ankle while tripping headfirst over first base on a groundout, was carried away on a stretcher. He was to have surgery Thursday night.

Weiss also will become the fourth A’s player in eight days and 13th this season to go on the disabled list.

The A’s took an 8-4 lead in the seventh on Harold Baines’ grand slam, but Dante Bichette responded with a grand slam to tie it in the eighth. Bichette, who also had a solo home run in the second inning, has 10 home runs.

Chicago 2, Cleveland 1--Tim Raines, who had four hits, scored the winning run on a suicide squeeze bunt by Robin Ventura in the 10th inning at Cleveland.

The Indians, meanwhile, sent outfielder Albert Belle to the triple-A Colorado Springs after he failed to run hard on a double-play grounder.

“I have gone to the wall with that man,” Manager John McNamara said. “We have talked to him and talked to him. It doesn’t take any talent to hustle. All we asked of him was to hustle and run balls out. This was the last straw. I’m not a psychiatrist. All I ask is that you give 100%.”

Baltimore 6, Toronto 4--Leo Gomez celebrated his return to the major leagues with a triple and a two-run single as the Orioles won at Baltimore to end a three-game losing streak. Gomez was recalled from triple-A Rochester earlier in the day.

Detroit 5, Seattle 4--The Tigers’ bullpen has spent much of the season bailing out the starters, but in this game at Detroit, the relief corps almost undid a rare solid starting effort.

Bill Gullickson allowed seven hits in eight-plus innings and left with a 5-1 lead, then watched as Paul Gibson and Mike Henneman struggled to preserve the victory over the Mariners.