Rodriguez Hits for Cycle

Alex Rodriguez became the first Seattle player to hit for the cycle in a nine-inning game as the Mariners routed the Tigers, 14-6, Thursday at Detroit.

Rodriguez, who drove in two runs and scored three, homered in the first inning, singled in the fourth, tripled in the eighth and doubled in the ninth.

The double was a flare behind first base and Rodriguez, aware he needed a double for the cycle, never hesitated.

“It was in and out of my mind,” he said. “Usually when you try to do something, it doesn’t happen. I was fortunate to hit a jam shot down the line.”

The only other Seattle player to hit for the cycle was Jay Buhner, who did it in a 14-inning game on June 23, 1993.

Buhner hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs Thursday, and Dan Wilson and Russ Davis had solo homers.

Winning pitcher Jeff Fassero (5-2) gave up three runs and five hits in seven innings.

Texas 6, Kansas City 3--Dean Palmer singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning for the Rangers at Kansas City.

Rusty Greer and Juan Gonzalez led off the 11th with singles off Hipolito Pichardo (1-2). After Will Clark popped up, Palmer drove in the go-ahead run. Warren Newsome walked to load the bases, Damon Buford hit a run-scoring single and Benji Gil had a sacrifice fly.

John Wetteland (3-0) pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings in his longest appearance since June 1, 1990. He has not given up a run in his last 10 1/3 innings.

Cleveland 5, Chicago 4--Casey Candaele lined a game-winning single off Carlos Castillo in the the 11th as the Indians avoided a three-game sweep with a victory at Cleveland.

Castillo (0-1) walked Manny Ramirez with one out, and Sandy Alomar doubled sharply down the left-field line. Candaele fouled off several pitches before his game-winning hit.

Oakland 4, Toronto 3--Jose Canseco hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning at Toronto as the Athletics handed the Blue Jays their fourth consecutive loss.

Pat Hentgen (5-3) had retired 12 batters in a row before Geronimo Berroa and Mark McGwire had consecutive singles with Oakland trailing, 3-1, in the eighth.

Canseco then hit his 12th home run to put the Athletics ahead. It was his 32nd homer against the Blue Jays, matching his highest total against any team. Carlos Reyes (1-0) faced only one batter for the victory.

Boston 2, Milwaukee 1--The Red Sox got a disputed home run by Mo Vaughn at Milwaukee and ended a losing streak at five games.

In the fourth inning, Vaughn lofted Ben McDonald’s low outside fastball down the left-field line and barely over the fence for his 16th home run. Third-base umpire Terry Craft ruled it fair. Left fielder Gerald Williams and third baseman Jeff Cirillo argued it was foul and on TV replays, the ball appeared to be about three feet foul.

Tim Wakefield (2-4) struck out 10 in 8 2/3 innings. Kerry Lacy earned his first major league save, retiring Dave Nilsson on a pop-up with runners on first and second to end the game.

Notes

The Milwaukee Brewers, surprising contenders in the AL Central, might be losing their only two power hitters for the rest of the season. First baseman John Jaha and left fielder Marc Newfield are scheduled to get second opinions on shoulder injuries within the week. . . . Kevin Mitchell, released by the Indians on Monday, cleared waivers Thursday and became a free agent.