AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Clemens Can’t Overcome Rain Delay, Indians

The Cleveland Indians, badly in need of an attitude adjustment, got it from a well-timed thunderstorm Tuesday night.

The Indians gathered their courage during a 27-minute rain delay, then overcame a four-run deficit against Roger Clemens and beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, at Cleveland.

Jeff Treadway drove in the winning run with a two-out, ninth-inning single off Jeff Russell, giving the Indians their third victory in the last 10 games.

“After the rain delay--every time something like that happens, it changes the game,” Carlos Baerga said. “This win means a lot for us.”

Clemens, who has an 18-3 lifetime record against Cleveland, let the Indians back into the game in the sixth, when they tied it with four runs capped by Baerga’s three-run homer. Clemens left after the seventh, still somewhat bothered by a sore groin.

New York 9, Kansas City 4--Pat Kelly, who earlier homered and also doubled twice, singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as the Yankees defeated the Royals at Kansas City.

Kelly had the first four-hit game of his career and drove in three runs. He and Matt Nokes hit consecutive home runs in the fifth inning, and Paul O’Neill also hit a solo home run for the Yankees.

Steve Howe (2-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the victory. Billy Brewer (1-1) began the ninth by walking pinch hitter Spike Owen, and took the loss.

Minnesota 3, Texas 2--Pedro Munoz hit a solo home run with one out in the 10th inning as the Twins beat the Rangers at Texas.

Munoz hit the first pitch from Matt Whiteside (1-1) into the right-field seats for his fifth homer of the season.

Carl Willis (1-0), the third Minnesota pitcher, gave up one hit in 1 2/3 innings.

Baltimore 6, Oakland 4--Chris Hoiles homered and tied his career high with four runs batted in as the Orioles stretched their victory streak to six games.

Hoiles went three for three with a walk. He hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning and hit a two-run double in the seventh that broke a 4-4 tie.

After Oakland rallied to tie the game in the top of the seventh, Baltimore put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the inning. Hoiles doubled into the gap in right-center against Storm Davis (1-5).

Alan Mills (1-3) pitched four innings in relief of Fernando Valenzuela, who left after the rain delay in the middle of the fifth.

Milwaukee 2, Seattle 1--Mike Boddicker and five relievers combined on a five-hitter at Milwaukee and the Brewers dealt the Mariners their fifth consecutive loss.

Boddicker gave up two hits in 4 2/3 innings before the game was delayed because of rain. James Austin (1-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings after the delay.

Tim Leary (3-3) gave up one run on four hits in four innings.

Detroit 6, Chicago 4--Lou Whitaker hit a tie-breaking home run to lead off the eighth inning at Chicago, lifting the Tigers in a game delayed three times by rain.

Whitaker hit his fifth homer, connecting against reliever Jeff Schwarz (0-1).

Mark Leiter (6-1) gained his fifth consecutive victory.