AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Rangers Lose Palmer for Rest of Season

Kevin Tapani gave the Minnesota Twins something they desperately needed Saturday night--a well-pitched game.

The Texas Rangers lost something they desperately needed Saturday night--a third baseman.

Tapani pitched a six-hitter and the Twins halted a four-game losing streak with a 4-0 victory over the Rangers at Arlington, Tex.

Compounding the loss for the Rangers was a season-ending elbow injury to third baseman Dean Palmer, who ruptured the biceps tendon in his left elbow on a swinging third strike in the second inning. The swing didn’t appear out of the ordinary, but Palmer immediately fell to the ground in pain.

He was batting .333, and his nine homers and 24 RBIs were team highs.

“I feel sorry for Dean and for what he means to this ballclub,” Ranger Manager Johnny Oates said. “We’re going to miss him. He made great progress at the plate this season.”

The Twins started the night with a team earned-run average of 6.64, worst in the major leagues.

Tapani (3-4) struck out nine and did not allow a runner past second base in his final start before a Tuesday salary arbitration hearing.

Cleveland 3, Toronto 0--Dennis Martinez (5-0) pitched the Indians’ first complete game of the season, scattering nine hits at Cleveland.

Martinez got support from a home run by Carlos Baerga and from a single, double and triple by Kenny Lofton.

Chicago 10, Detroit 6--Dave Martinez hit a grand slam with two out in the bottom of ninth inning as the White Sox rallied from a five-run deficit to win at home.

With two out, Joe Boever (3-2) walked Frank Thomas, and Mike Devereaux followed with a single. With third base open, Ventura was intentionally walked to load the bases and bring up Martinez.

Kansas City 2, Milwaukee 1--Gary Gaetti, who has homered in seven of his last nine games, lined a pitch over the left-field wall with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Royals a victory at Kansas City.

Gaetti hit his 11th homer off Graeme Lloyd (0-3), who relieved starter Steve Sparks in the ninth inning.

Boston 10, Seattle 8--Mike Greenwell drove in three runs with a homer and triple and threw out a runner at the plate in a victory over the Mariners at Boston.

It was the Red Sox’s fifth victory in a row.

Baltimore 9, Oakland 5--Cal Ripken’s fourth grand slam highlighted a six-run fifth inning at Baltimore that carried the Orioles to their fourth victory in a row and sent Oakland to its sixth consecutive loss.