Greer Giving Rangers Something Extra

Rusty Greer hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning as the Texas Rangers defeated the Indians, 10-8, Wednesday night at Cleveland.

After Ivan Rodriguez hit a one-out double, Greer, who had three hits, drove a 1-1 pitch from Julian Tavarez (4-7) over the right-field fence for the game-winner. It was Greer’s 15th homer.

The Rangers took two of three from the Indians and improved to 6-3 against Cleveland this season.

Kenny Lofton of the Indians tied the score with a two-run single in the ninth against Ed Vosberg (1-0). But Vosberg struck out Lofton to end the game with runners on first and second.

Baltimore 10, Seattle 5--Cal Ripken went four for five with a home run as the surging Orioles overcame two home runs by Alex Rodriguez at Baltimore.

Chris Hoiles and Bobby Bonilla also homered for the Orioles, who won for the 16th time in 22 games.

Rodriguez also doubled and drove in four runs.

Ripken led off the Orioles’ half of the fifth with his 21st homer to put Baltimore ahead, 6-5. Bonilla added a three-run shot against Randy Johnson in the seventh.

Boston 6, Oakland 4--Mike Stanley hit a two-run single to break an eighth-inning tie and Mo Vaughn had three hits and scored three runs, including the game-winner, at Boston.

Doug Johns (6-12), the first of four Oakland pitchers in the eighth inning, took the loss despite facing only one batter--Vaughn--and getting him to hit an easy fly to right-center.

But Vaughn was given a hit when Jose Herrera and Ernie Young watched the ball drop between them. John Valentin, after bunting foul twice, hit his third single and the runners advanced when Buddy Groom threw a wild pitch on a 1-1 count to Wil Cordero.

Cordero was walked intentionally and Stanley lined a single to left against Mark Acre.

Detroit 7, Chicago 4--Brad Ausmus’ three-run homer capped a four-run eighth inning, lifting the Tigers at Detroit.

The Tigers trailed, 4-3, when Travis Fryman walked and Ruben Sierra doubled to start the eighth against Bill Simas (2-8). Melvin Nieves then tied the score with a single against Mike Bertotti.

One out later, Ausmus hit his fourth homer.

Jose Lima (4-6) pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief of starter Felipe Lira.

Toronto 6, Kansas City 2--Juan Guzman pitched a six-hitter at Toronto and won for the first time in more than a month.

Guzman (10-8) gave up two runs, one of them earned, and lowered his league-leading earned-run average from 3.10 to 2.99.

Juan Samuel hit a two-run homer against Chris Haney (9-12), who lost for the sixth time in seven decisions, and Jacob Brumfield drove in two runs.

Milwaukee 10, Minnesota 7--John Jaha’s three-run homer keyed a five-run eighth-inning rally as the Brewers came from behind at Minneapolis.

The Twins had extended their lead to 5-2 on Paul Molitor’s two-run single in the seventh, but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead in the eighth. Twin starter Brad Radke had retired 11 consecutive batters but was replaced by Eddie Guardado to start the eighth.

Jesse Levis reached on Chuck Knoblauch’s error to open the inning. Fernando Vina singled, and Jeff Cirillo’s fielder’s choice grounder put runners at first and third with one out. Dave Nilsson’s single scored Levis to make it 5-3.

Jaha hit reliever Dave Stevens’ first pitch 390 feet to right field for his 26th homer and a 6-5 lead.