AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Cone Helps Royals Run Winning Streak to 11

David Cone had poor control and average velocity and gave up two runs in the first inning.

But it didn’t matter as baseball’s hottest team, the Kansas City Royals, still defeated the Oakland A’s, 6-4, on Tuesday night at Kansas City, extending the major leagues’ longest winning streak of the season to 11 games.

“The guys could tell I didn’t have my best stuff tonight,” said Cone (16-4), who walked one and struck out five through eight innings and tied Jimmy Key for the league victory lead. “They knew they had to pick me up, and they did. That’s what happens when a team’s on a streak.”

The only longer streak in Royal history was a 16-game run in 1977.

Chicago 6, Texas 2--Ranger pitcher Kenny Rogers lasted only 5 1/3 innings at Arlington, Tex.

Rogers, who last Thursday threw the 12th perfect game in modern major league history and the first by an American League left-hander, kept up a tradition of struggling in the next outing. Only three of the group--Cy Young in 1904, Catfish Hunter in 1968 and Tom Browning in 1988--won their next appearance.

Rogers left with one out in the sixth after Lance Johnson’s line driveup the middle grazed off the index finger of his throwing hand. Trainers said he was unhurt.

Rogers retired nine in a row before walking Julio Franco with one out in the fourth. Robin Ventura then hit a 2-and-2 fastball for his 17th homer, putting the White Sox ahead, 3-1.

Toronto 8, Boston 7--Ed Sprague had three hits and drove in three runs, and John Olerud hit a tie-breaking homer in the seventh inning at Boston.

Wes Chamberlain’s grand slam highlighted a six-run Red Sox fourth that also included a two-run double by Scott Cooper.

Detroit 12, Cleveland 9--Mickey Tettleton’s two-run home run capped a five-run ninth inning for the Tigers at Cleveland.

The Indians’ sloppy defense and poor pitching gave away a 9-7 lead in the ninth. Tony Phillips led off with a single against Jeff Russell (0-6), and Lou Whitaker then hit a potential double-play grounder that second baseman Carlos Baerga threw into left field, letting one run score.

A single by Travis Fryman put runners at first and third before Cecil Fielder’s RBI single tied the score. Kirk Gibson’s sacrifice fly against Derek Lilliquist put Detroit ahead, 10-9, and Tettleton followed with his 16th home run.

New York 7, Milwaukee 1--Don Mattingly singled to start a six-run ninth-inning outburst at Milwaukee, and capped it with a two-run double.

Jamie Navarro (4-8) surrendered three consecutive singles to open the ninth, including Matt Nokes’ run-scoring hit to right that scored Mattingly from second.

Graeme Lloyd relieved Navarro with one out and intentionally walked Pat Kelly to load the bases. He then walked Luis Polonia and Wade Boggs, forcing home two more runs for a 4-1 lead. Kelly scored on Paul O’Neill’s groundout and Lloyd walked Danny Tartabull to load the bases again. Mattingly followed with a two-run double.

Baltimore 10, Minnesota 0--The Orioles shut out the Twins for the second consecutive game at Minneapolis.

Mike Mussina (15-5) retired the first 12 before Kent Hrbek opened the fifth with a clean single to center. Mussina then gave up an infield single to Shane Mack, but got out of the inning and finished with a four-hitter over seven innings.