AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Bell Is Cleaning Up as White Sox Charge

It has been an unusual first half for the Chicago White Sox.

After six weeks they were leading the American League West. Then came a monthlong skid, and they fell 9 1/2 games out of first place after winning only nine of 30 games.

The slump ended about the time Manager Gene Lamont restored George Bell to the cleanup slot. Since then, Bell has been hitting and the White Sox are cleaning up again.

Bell hit his ninth grand slam to lead the White Sox to a 4-2 victory over Boston Red Sox on Sunday at Chicago. It was the White Sox’s 12th victory in the last 15 games.

Bell, who batted as low as eighth before being restored to No. 4, where he has hit most of his career, has been sizzling.

The home run, his 12th, was his seventh in his last 13 games, all as the cleanup batter. In the streak, he has driven in 26 runs.

“I’ve been hitting fourth all my life, and it’s a position where I feel most comfortable,” Bell said. “Naturally, I want to help the team win. That’s what’s important.

“I got into a little rut when I was coming up to the plate and swinging at everything, especially outside pitches. You naturally start to worry. After you’re in a slump for six weeks and not seeing the ball early on, it’s a good feeling to be coming through. I’m doing what I’m paid to do--drive in runs.”

The White Sox are 6 1/2 games behind Minnesota.

Chicago’s Greg Hibbard (7-4), who had a string of four consecutive no-decisions, had given up only three singles, but he trailed Mike Gardiner (3-9), 2-0, going into the bottom of the fifth.

Esteban Beltre singled, Joey Cora doubled and Frank Thomas walked before Bell hit his second grand slam this season and the White Sox were in front to stay.

It was the Red Sox’s 10th loss in their last 11 games on the road.

Minnesota 2, Baltimore 1--Gregg Olson blew a save for the second consecutive game at Minnesota.

Saturday night, protecting a 2-1 lead, Olson struck out the first two Twins in the ninth, then blew it, giving up a two-run single to Chili Davis with the bases loaded.

This time the Orioles didn’t call on Olson until the Twins, trailing, 1-0, loaded the bases against Rick Sutcliffe (10-7) with one out in the ninth.

It appeared the Olson had done his job when he induced Chuck Knoblauch to ground to second, but Knoblauch beat the throw to first to avoid the double play and the game was tied. Kent Hrbek bounced a single up the middle, and Olson--who has 21 saves--had blown saves in three of his last five appearances.

Kevin Tapani (9-5) gave up six hits and pitched his third consecutive complete game. The only Baltimore run was unearned as a result of third baseman Scott Leius’ error in the third inning.

Detroit 8, Seattle 5--Rich DeLucia faced six batters and didn’t retire one. He gave up four singles and two walks. Cecil Fielder’s two-run single highlighted the five-run Tiger first inning at Detroit.

Bobby Groom, seeking his first victory after two defeats, didn’t fare much better. He lasted only three innings, giving up six hits and four runs.

Walt Terrell, giving up only an unearned run in 3 1/3 innings of relief, won for the second time in three games.

Oakland 5, Cleveland 2--Harold Baines hit a two-run home run and drove in four runs at Cleveland, and the Athletics ended their six-game losing streak against the troublesome Indians. In addition to his homer, Baines drove in runs with a double and a single.

Bob Welch won his third in a row, and Dennis Eckersley, finally getting a chance to face the Indians, extended his save string to 29 in a row this season and 33 overall.

Eckersley got the last four outs to keep the A’s one game behind Minnesota in the West.

Welch (6-4) gave up 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings, but was tough in the clutch. The runs came on home runs by Kenny Lofton (on Welch’s first pitch) and Carlos Baerga.

Milwaukee 2-9, Kansas City 1-7--After winning the rain-delayed opener on an infield out in the 12th inning at Kansas City, the Brewers used their power to sweep a doubleheader for the first time in six years.

Greg Vaughn, batting .196, hit a three-run home run as the Brewers scored seven runs in the first two innings of the nightcap and held on for the victory.

George Brett had five hits for the Royals, including his 50th four-hit game in the opener.

New York 5, Texas 4--Danny Tartabull homered in his third game in a row and Mel Hall drove in two runs, but the Yankees needed a wild throw by Rafael Palmeiro to win at Arlington, Tex.

Scott Sanderson (8-5) lasted only 5 1/3 innings, giving up 10 hits, but he won his fourth in a row.

Texas overcame 3-0 and 4-1 deficits before losing.