AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Twins Rookie Aces Rangers on 3 Hits

Brad Radke might not be the Minnesota Twins’ ace, but the rookie is as close as they’ve got.

Radke (10-12) retired the last 14 hitters in a row en route to his first complete shutout and complete game, a three-hit, 2-0 victory over the Texas Rangers Tuesday night at Minneapolis.

The loss was the sixth in eight games for the Rangers who maintained a half-game lead over Milwaukee and Seattle in the American League wild-card race.

“They call me the ace because I’ve got the most innings,” Radke, 22, said of his teammates. “But nobody’s really the ace on a staff like this. I know I still feel like a rookie. I’m still not used to the atmosphere and the size of the crowds.

“You can’t pitch like that all the time. But I think I am getting used to big league hitters. I’m already looking forward to next time. I’d like to finish the year with 12 wins and match last year. Anything more would be a bonus.”

Chuck Knoblauch, the American League’s second-leading hitter at .341, homered and doubled twice to figure in the game’s only runs.

Cleveland 4, Toronto 1--Mark Clark, struggling for a spot on the Indians’ playoff roster, pitched a career-best three-hitter as the Indians beat the Blue Jays at Cleveland for their sixth consecutive victory.

Eddie Murray singled home the game’s first run in the fourth inning, becoming the 14th player with 1,800 career RBIs.

The Indians have won 10 of 11 games to improve baseball’s best record to 78-35.

Clark (8-5) walked two and struck out two in his first complete game of the year. He and Chad Ogea, who gave up one run in 5 2/3 innings Monday night, appear to be contending for one spot on Cleveland’s postseason roster.

Seattle 6, Boston 4--Andy Benes rebounded from two shaky starts and Ken Griffey Jr. hit a tie-breaking sacrifice fly as the Mariners beat the Red Sox at Boston.

Benes (3-1), a trading-deadline acquisition from San Diego, allowed four runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out five and walking one.

Griffey’s sacrifice fly scored Felix Fermin and sent Boston to its third loss in four games since winning 20 of 22 games to take a commanding lead in the AL East.

Kansas City 7, Milwaukee 1--Johnny Damon’s triple keyed a three-run sixth inning and Jason Jacome recorded his fourth consecutive victory as the Royals beat the Brewers at Kansas City.

Jacome (4-2), a left-hander obtained from the New York Mets in a four-player deal on July 21, struck out four and walked none. He has walked only one in his last 23 2/3 innings.

Oakland 3, Baltimore 1--Craig Paquette singled in the tie-breaking runs in the ninth inning as the Athletics defeated the Orioles at Baltimore.

Mike Bordick homered for the Athletics, who have won seven of nine to draw within 3 1/2 games of Texas in the AL wild-card race.

Mark McGwire opened the ninth with a walk off Terry Clark (2-4). Pinch-runner Jose Herrera took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a fly ball by Geronimo Berroa. After Terry Steinbach grounded out, Stan Javier was given an intentional walk.

Detroit 7, Chicago 5--Sean Bergman allowed five hits over 6 2/3 innings and Franklin Stubbs had a homer, two doubles and a single as the Tigers beat the White Sox at Chicago.

Bergman (6-8) had given up eight earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in his two previous starts against Chicago.

This time he allowed only two hits over the first five innings, losing his shutout in the sixth as Lance Johnson singled, stole second, went to third on catcher John Flaherty’s high throw and scored on Tim Raines’ grounder.