AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Suddenly, Thomas (31) Only One Behind Griffey

Frank Thomas hit a two-run home run--his 31st--and Tim Raines hit a two-run double in a five-run ninth inning Wednesday night at Detroit, rallying the Chicago White Sox to a 6-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Thomas, who hit his 30th homer Tuesday night, reached the plateau in his 81st game to set a new team record. Carlton Fisk hit his 30th homer in Chicago’s 108th game in 1985.

Thomas is one home run behind major league leader Ken Griffey.

Mike Henneman (1-3) struck out Darren Jackson to open the ninth but walked pinch-hitter Warren Newson. Mike LaValliere singled to move Newson to third, and Ozzie Guillen tied it 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to center.

After an infield single by Lance Johnson, Raines hit a ball just over right fielder Junior Felix’s glove, scoring pinch runner Norberto Martin and Johnson.

Thomas, who went two for four, followed by lining a 2-and-2 pitch into the lower deck in left field.

Cleveland 13, Texas 4--Paul Sorrento’s three-run homer highlighted a six-run first inning at Arlington and Jack Morris registered his 252nd career victory. The Indians have won six of their last seven.

Morris (8-5) moved past Bob Gibson into 36th place on the career wins list, giving up three runs and five hits in six innings.

Morris was backed by an offense that set a season-high for runs and pounded out 15 hits. The Indians, who led, 10-1, after two innings, got at least one hit from every starter and put 14 of their first 20 hitters on base.

Oakland 4, New York 2--Scott Brosius hit a two-run homer and Troy Neel added a solo shot at Yankee Stadium, leading the Athletics to a victory and a three-game sweep of the Yankees.

Oakland was 13 games back in the AL West on June 13, but the A’s have won 12 of 13 and trail first-place Texas by three games. New York has lost six of its last seven.

Ron Darling (7-9) gave up two runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six. Dennis Eckersley pitched the ninth for his 13th save.

Minnesota 5, Toronto 4--Scott Erickson gave up seven hits in 7 2/3 innings at Minneapolis and Kirby Puckett hit a two-run homer to help the Twins snap a five-game losing streak.

Dave Winfield’s second-inning triple was hit No. 3,081, tying him with Cap Anson for 14th on the all-time list.

Milwaukee 4, Kansas City 3--Dave Nilsson’s tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning at Kansas City helped Bob Scanlan get his first win as a starter since 1991.

Scanlan (1-5) gave up four hits in eight innings, the longest outing of his career.

He walked two and struck out two for his first victory since Sept. 10, 1993.

Baltimore 5, Seattle 4--Brady Anderson hit a three-run homer and substitute starter Mike Oquist pitched six strong innings at Baltimore as the Orioles completed a three-game sweep of the Mariners.

Griffey went one for three with a sacrifice fly. He has gone 11 games and 44 official at-bats since hitting his 32nd homer on June 24.