AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Tigers Beat Blue Jays in 14 Innings

The Detroit Tigers beat the Toronto Blue Jays in typical fashion Thursday night at Toronto.

The Tigers struck out 21 times, tying a team record. But the team that leads the majors in home runs also got 14th-inning homers from Mark Salas and Mickey Tettleton to defeat the Blue Jays, 4-0.

Salas’ hit a three-run pinch homer off Tom Henke and Tettleton added a solo shot to win a game that lasted 5 hours 12 minutes. The second-place Tigers pulled to within 5 1/2 games of AL East-leading Toronto.

Cecil Fielder and Rob Deer each struck out four times as Blue Jay pitchers also set a team record for strikeouts. Toronto starter Tom Candiotti tied a team record by striking out 12. He did it in only seven innings while giving up four hits and walking three.

In the 14th, Milt Cuyler doubled with one out off Henke (0-1) and Lou Whitaker was walked intentionally. Salas, batting for Skeeter Barnes, hit a full-count pitch to deep right for his first home run.

One out later, Tettleton connected off Henke for his 21st home run. Henke, however, is still perfect is 25 save chances, a major league record.

Paul Gibson (5-5) pitched two innings for the victory.

Detroit starter Bill Gullickson pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and one walk with four strikeouts.

Toronto threatened in the eighth, putting runners on first and second with one out against Gullickson. Mike Henneman relieved and struck out Joe Carter and retired John Olerud on a grounder.

Chicago 4, New York 1--The White Sox stole a season-high five bases, four of which led to runs, to complete a three-game sweep at Chicago.

Mike Huff and Joey Cora each stole two bases and Lance Johnson stole one as the White Sox pulled to within two games of the first-place Minnesota Twins in the AL West.

Frank Thomas drove in two runs with a double and a single. Alex Fernandez (6-8) pitched eight strong innings and Scott Radinsky got his fourth save for the White Sox, who have won four consecutive games and 12 of their last 14. Chicago has won 19 of 27 since the All-Star break.

Jeff Johnson (4-5) took the loss.

Milwaukee 6, Baltimore 4--Greg Vaughn, Paul Molitor and Darryl Hamilton hit solo home runs at Baltimore and Bill Wegman (7-6) improved to 6-1 against the Orioles.

Cal Ripken hit his 23rd home run for the Orioles.