AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Yankees Win Third Game in a Row, 10-2

Not a word was spoken about Darryl Strawberry on Saturday.

The New York Yankees didn’t have to talk about or think about Friday’s expected arrival of their newest left-handed slugger, not after getting 11 hits, including four run-scoring doubles, in a 10-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at New York.

Wade Boggs scored three runs with a bases-loaded double, Paul O’Neill hit a two-run double, and Mike Stanley and Dion James added RBI doubles for the Yankees, who matched their longest winning streak of the season (three) and handed the Blue Jays their season-high fifth loss in a row.

“They were just hitting the ball where the fielders weren’t,” Toronto Manager Cito Gaston said. “That’s how you get base hits. I wish we did some of it.”

Melido Perez (5-4) improved to 4-0 in afternoon starts despite not striking out a batter. He gave up three hits in six innings, yielding a solo homer to Joe Carter and two doubles to Roberto Alomar, who returned from a one-game suspension.

Minnesota 6, Kansas City 5--Pinch-hitter Chip Hale singled home two runs in the eighth inning and lifted the Twins over the Royals at Kansas City.

Hale, four for eight with six runs batted in as a pinch-hitter since being recalled from Salt Lake on June 8, put the Twins ahead, 6-4, by hitting the first pitch from reliever Rusty Meacham.

Rick Aguilera got his 11th save.

Chicago 8, Cleveland 3--The White Sox had 11 hits and Alex Fernandez pitched a five-hitter at Chicago, as the Indians lost their third consecutive game for the first time this season.

Chicago’s victory came before an announced crowd of 35,028--the largest of the season at new Comiskey Park--and featured four Cleveland errors, including two by left fielder Albert Belle that led to four unearned runs.

Detroit 7, Milwaukee 2--Juan Samuel hit a three-run homer after an intentional walk to Cecil Fielder at Detroit, as the Tigers won their third consecutive game.

Mike Moore (5-5) gave up a homer to Fernando Vina to start the game, but pitched 6 1/3 innings for the victory.

Brian Givins, who spent more than 10 seasons in the minor leagues, lost in his major league debut. The 29-year-old rookie struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings, but gave up six hits and three runs. He walked two and also balked.

Boston 6, Baltimore 5--Jose Canseco reached second base on a botched rundown and scored the go-ahead run on a single by Troy O’Leary in the ninth inning to lead the Red Sox at Baltimore.

Canseco ended his four-game hitting slump with two doubles and scored three runs. He also drove in a run.

Texas 6, Oakland 5--Mickey Tettleton had a three-run double in the third inning, then led off the eighth with a home run to lift the Rangers at Arlington, Tex.

Jeff Russell retired Brent Gates on a fly ball with the bases loaded to end the game for his 12th save. Gates had tied the game with a home run in the eighth before Tettleton hit his 10th homer of the season.