BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Rangers’ Palmeiro, Sierra Near 200 Hits, Too

After the late season injury to the San Diego Padres’ Tony Gwynn, it became a certainty that no National Leaguer would get 200 hits this season.

The American League already has three players who have achieved the goal. The Texas Rangers have one, and by the time the regular schedule ends Sunday, they might have three.

Rafael Palmeiro reached 200 early in the week, and now Julio Franco, about to wrap up the batting title, and Ruben Sierra are closing in on the figure.

Franco, who went two for four Friday night at Arlington, Tex., as the Rangers moved into third place in the West with a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Franco increased his average to .341, best in the majors.

Franco has 198 hits and Sierra has 199.

Mike Stanley’s single off right fielder Jose Canseco’s glove in the ninth inning drove in Kevin Reimer from second and beat Dave Stewart (11-11).

Toronto 4, Minnesota 1--While both teams rested some regulars, the Blue Jays gave ailing relief star Tom Henke a chance and were encouraged by the performance. Henke went an inning, threw 10 pitches and said his shoulder felt fine.

“I can’t say I’m 100%,” said Henke, who a week ago thought he had no chance to pitch in the playoffs. “There’s still some soreness, but I don’t have the sharp pain. If it doesn’t hurt tomorrow, I’ll be able to pitch.”

Todd Stottlemyre (15-8) pitched a strong five innings for the Blue Jays.

Detroit 4, Baltimore 2--Mickey Tettleton hit his 31st home run with two out in the 14th inning at Baltimore to give the Tigers the victory. Tony Phillips walked before the home run.

The Tigers scored a run in the 13th, but the Orioles came back to tie again.

Milwaukee 3, Boston 2--Dante Bichette hit a winning home run at Boston and the Brewers won for the eighth time in 11 games.

Cleveland 3, New York 2--Jim Thome’s first home run is one he won’t soon forget. He hit it with one on and two out in the ninth inning at New York to give the Indians the victory.

Seattle 6, Chicago 4--Dave Valle had the decisive hit and two RBIs as the Mariners clinched the first winning season in their 15-year history.

Reliever Calvin Jones (2-2) got the victory at Seattle. Mike Schooler allowed an RBI single by Frank Thomas, but got the final two outs for his seventh save.

The Mariners were 78-84 in their previous best showing in 1987.

Montreal 3, Pittsburgh 1--Doug Drabek, in his final tuneup before pitching the first game of the playoffs, pitched five shutout innings at Pittsburgh.

But Spike Owen hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to give the Expos the victory.

Philadelphia 5, New York 4--Dale Murphy’s infield roller with the bases loaded in the 10th inning at New York gave the Phillies the victory.

Dickie Thon struck out on a wild pitch against John Franco (5-9), but reached first base before the throw. Thon scored when the throw from third baseman Jeff Gardner on Murphy’s roller was too late.

San Diego 3, Cincinnati 2--Tom Browning hit his first home run of his career, but he fell to 14-14 when Craig Shipley singled to drive in the winning run in the seventh inning at San Diego.

The Reds’ Hal Morris was hitless in four at-bats and his average slipped to .316. Terry Pendleton of Atlanta leads with .318 and Gwynn is at .3178.