AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Whitaker’s Grand Slam Ends Indians’ Streak

Lou Whitaker, who just missed extending the Detroit Tigers’ home-run streak to a major league-record 26 games on Monday night, started a new streak for the Tigers on Tuesday night with one of the most dramatic home runs of his career.

Whitaker hit a grand slam that capped a six-run rally in the ninth inning at Detroit, giving the Tigers a 7-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians that ended the Indians’ 10-game winning streak.

“They are riding high right now, and they thought they had us beat, but they just couldn’t put us away,” Whitaker said.

After Jason Grimsley limited the Tigers to one unearned run on four hits in eight innings, Manager Mike Hargrove replaced him with rookie closer Paul Shuey.

“We had a four-run lead, and our closer needed some work,” Hargrove said. “Jason had pitched really well, but he had been up in the strike zone and a little erratic in the eighth. If I had to do it over, I’d do the same thing.”

Kirk Gibson drew a leadoff walk in the ninth from Shuey, Mickey Tettleton walked with one out and Alan Trammell hit a run-scoring single. Pinch-hitter Juan Samuel greeted Derek Lilliquist (1-3) with a single that loaded the bases and Tony Phillips walked, forcing home a run that cut the Tigers’ deficit to 5-3.

Whitaker followed with a drive into the upper deck in right field for his 10th home run.

Boston 13, Toronto 1--Mo Vaughn doubled twice and drove in three runs during a 10-run first inning at Toronto.

The Red Sox combined seven walks and six hits, including two-run doubles by Scott Cooper and John Valentin and a run-scoring double by Mike Greenwell, in the 41-minute first inning.

Boston sent 16 batters to the plate against Brad Cornett (0-2) and Scott Brow. Cornett gave up six runs on three hits and three walks while getting only one out in his second major league start.

Blue Jay shortstop Dick Schofield was taken off the field on a stretcher, his neck and head immobilized, after being hit just above the left ear with a fastball by Aaron Sele in the fifth inning. Schofield appeared to be knocked unconscious by the pitch.

Kansas City 2, Oakland 0--Four Royal pitchers combined on a one-hitter and Felix Jose hit a two-run homer against Ron Darling in the ninth inning at Oakland.

Only three batters reached base for the A’s, who had a six-game winning streak ended.

Chicago 5, Texas 4--Frank Thomas hit two solo home runs for the White Sox and Ozzie Guillen singled home the winning run in the 10th inning at Chicago.

New York 6, Minnesota 4--Jimmy Key won his 10th consecutive decision, becoming the majors’ first 11-game winner at New York.

Baltimore 6, Milwaukee 1--Mike Mussina improved to 10-4 and Harold Baines homered and had a season-high four runs batted in at Baltimore.