AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : New York Put a Quick End to Cone’s Streak

David Cone’s 28-inning scoreless streak ended really fast Friday night.

Daryl Boston hit a three-run homer in a five-run first inning, as Jimmy Key won his sixth consecutive decision to lead the New York Yankees past the Kansas City Royals, 5-2, at Kansas City.

Cone (8-2) was coming off three consecutive shutouts and was trying to become the first nine-game winner in the majors. But left fielder Vince Coleman had a double error in the first and Boston hit a three-run homer.

“I did have a little bit of an emotional letdown,” Cone said. “Boston’s three-run homer was really the killer. You can’t spot Jimmy Key five runs in the first inning and expect to win.”

Cone pitched his fourth straight complete game, allowing eight hits, striking out two and walking two.

Milwaukee 5, Seattle 2--The Brewers ended their club record 14-game losing streak, beating the Mariners at Milwaukee on the strength of B.J. Surhoff’s three-run homer in the eighth inning.

Milwaukee hadn’t won since May 10, when the Brewers were tied for first place. The previous club record of 12 losses was set in 1987.

Cleveland 3, Oakland 2--Paul Sorrento led off the ninth inning with his fifth home run of the season as the Indians beat the Athletics at Cleveland.

Cleveland, returning from a 2-4 trip, won its seventh consecutive home game since May 1.

Minnesota 5, Detroit 2--Kevin Tapani won his fourth straight start and Scott Leius drove in three runs as the Twins won at Minneapolis.

Tapani (5-2) allowed four hits in 7 1/3 innings, struck out five and walked none. Rick Aguilera pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances.

Chicago 3, Baltimore 0--Wilson Alvarez tied a White Sox record by winning his 15th consecutive decision, pitching a six-hitter as the White Sox won at Chicago.

Alvarez (8-0) struck out six and walked none in his first shutout this season.

Texas 4, Boston 3--Hector Fajardo, making his first start in three seasons, got his first big league victory as the Rangers rallied to beat the Red Sox at Arlington, Tex. Fajardo (1-0), who missed most of the last two seasons with arm trouble, gave up four hits in seven innings.