AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Belle Returns, Lets His Bat Do the Talking

Outfielder Albert Belle returned to Cleveland Stadium Wednesday night for the first time since his June 6 demotion to triple-A Colorado Springs for not hustling to first base.

Belle contributed a two-run double and a run-scoring single in a nine-run first inning as the Cleveland Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles, 10-4.

Afterward, however, Belle refused to speak with reporters.

“Why don’t you leave me alone?” said Belle, who leads the Indians with eight home runs and has 30 runs batted in, one shy of the team lead.

The victory ended the Indians’ five-game losing streak and Manager John McNamara said he hopes Belle is back to stay.

“If he continues to play like he did in Colorado, he’ll be a big plus for us,” said McNamara, whose team was 2-15 without Belle. “He’s very important to this club.”

In 16 games at Colorado Springs, Belle batted .328 with two homers and 16 RBIs.

Greg Swindell (4-6), plagued by a lack of support throughout the season, gave up four runs on 10 hits, struck out four and walked two in six innings before being replaced by Jeff Shaw.

New York 5, Boston 1--Scott Sanderson, who has not lost consecutive starts in more than two years, extended that streak to 60 games with help from Steve Howe at Boston.

Sanderson (8-3) gave up one run and six hits--including Ellis Burks’ ninth homer--in six innings before the Yankees went to the bullpen for the 65th time in 67 games.

Howe struck out the side with two on in the seventh, then retired the Red Sox in order in the eighth and ninth for his second save in 19 appearances.

Toronto 5, Minnesota 2--Joe Carter had four hits and two RBIs at Minneapolis as the Blue Jays handed the Twins only their third loss in 24 games this month.

Wells (9-5) gave up seven hits, one walk and struck out two against the top hitting team in the majors. Chili Davis spoiled Wells’ bid for his first career shutout with his 18th homer, a two-run shot with two outs in the eighth.

Tom Henke pitched the ninth for his 13th save in as many opportunities.

The Blue Jays had six extra-base hits against Mark Guthrie (5-4) in the first four innings and ended the Twins’ 11-game winning streak at the Metrodome.

Seattle 5, Chicago 4--Mike Jackson earned his 12th save by striking out Carlton Fisk with the bases loaded in the ninth at Chicago.

Randy Johnson (6-6) allowed three hits and struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings for his third consecutive victory and Edgar Martinez hit a home run as the Mariners ended the White Sox’ five-game winning streak.

Fisk hit a two-run homer in the third and Cory Snyder hit his second homer in 106 bats for the White Sox.

Texas 8, Oakland 1--With a 1-0 lead and one out in the seventh inning, Athletic reliever Gene Nelson intentionally walked Juan Gonzalez with runners on second and third to face Steve Buechele.

He tripled to left-center field to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead and spark a six-run inning.

The A’s, 3-9 since June 12, lost their second consecutive home game to Texas and fell into third place in the AL West behind Minnesota and the Angels. The A’s are 3-9 since June 12.

The Rangers were held to one hit through six innings by A’s starter Mike Moore and two relievers.