AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Mussina Wins 12th in Orioles’ Victory

Mike Mussina gave up two runs and six hits over seven innings to become the first 12-game winner in the major leagues as the Orioles defeated the Chicago White Sox, 4-3, at Baltimore to move past New York into sole possession of second place in the AL East, 4 1/2 games behind Boston.

“I think everybody seems to be surprised about it,” Mussina said about his 12-5 record, which includes a 7-0 mark in eight starts since June 18. “My ERA is pretty high, and when I’ve lost games and gotten no decisions, I’ve gotten hit around pretty well.”

Mussina was assisted by home runs by Rafael Palmeiro and Gregg Zaun. Chicago, 0-5 against Baltimore this season, got homers from Lance Johnson and Frank Thomas. The White Sox cut a 3-0 deficit to 4-3 before Baltimore’s Doug Jones got the final three outs for his 19th save.

Wilson Alvarez (4-6) gave up five hits and three earned runs in seven innings, but he was again stung by the long ball, giving up his 14th and 15th home runs of the season.

Minnesota 5, New York 3--Dan Masteller hit his first major league home run, a two-run shot with one out in the ninth inning, to lead the Twins at Minneapolis.

Masteller, who also had a two-run single in the fourth inning, hit the first pitch from Jack McDowell (8-7) after Matt Walbeck led off the ninth with a walk. The loss was only the second in the last 10 games for the Yankees, but their third in five games to Minnesota since the All-Star break.

Masteller’s homer just inside the right-field foul pole gave Kevin Tapani (6-11) his second consecutive victory and his second complete game of the season.

Kansas City 4, Detroit 3--Gary Gaetti scored on David Howard’s squeeze bunt with one out in the eighth inning and Jeff Montgomery (1-1) pitched the ninth for the victory at Kansas City.

Gaetti singled, stole second and went to third on catcher John Flaherty’s second throwing error of the game. It was Gaetti’s first stolen base with the Royals and his first since 1993.

Howard, with the count 2-2, bunted the ball off the plate as Gaetti raced home. Tigers reliever John Doherty (5-5) took the loss.

Cleveland 6, Seattle 5--Ruben Amaro’s RBI single in the eighth inning scored Jim Thome and gave Cleveland the victory at Seattle.

Eric Plunk (5-1) won the game in relief after the Indians had squandered a 5-2 lead in the seventh.

Jose Mesa allowed the Mariners to load the bases in the ninth but struck out Luis Sojo for his 28th save in 28 opportunities.

Toronto 3, Oakland 0--Al Leiter pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings before leaving with a blister and Ed Sprague hit a two-run homer as the Blue Jays defeated the Athletics at Toronto.

Leiter (7-6) struck out a season-high eight and walked only one. Tony Castillo gave up one hit in 2 2/3 innings for his seventh save. Castillo has given up only one run in 14 2/3 innings covering nine appearances.

Boston 6, Texas 2--Mike Maddux, starting in place of injured Roger Clemens, gave up only two hits in 5 2/3 innings, and Luis Alicea homered from both sides of the plate at Arlington, Tex.

Maddux (2-1) started after Clemens was scratched because of problems with his right elbow as the Red Sox sent the Rangers to their 11th loss in 12 games. Scott Taylor, making his major league debut for injured Bob Tewksbury, gave up homers to Alicea and Jose Canseco. He gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings.