Orioles Maintain Winning Road Ways

Rafael Palmeiro drove in two runs in the first inning and scored the eventual winning run on Cal Ripken’s single in the eighth as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Royals, 4-3, Thursday at Kansas City.

Baltimore improved the best road record in baseball to 44-22. The Orioles have won six of their last seven and 19 of 25. Palmeiro has driven in six of Baltimore’s last eight runs.

Rich Krivda (2-0), the first of six Baltimore pitchers, worked 5 1/3 innings and gave up one run and four hits. He struck out a season-high six and walked one, lowering his earned-run average from 9.49 to 7.27.

Randy Myers pitched the ninth to convert his 27th consecutive save opportunity for his team record 38th save of the season.

The save was the 312th of Myers’ career, moving him past Tom Henke into sixth place on the list.

“It’s big because as a bullpen, we’ve been efficient day in and day out,” Myers said. “We’re playing well as a team. It means the bullpen as a whole is working together to get the job done.”

Kevin Appier (7-11) suffered the loss. He gave up four runs and nine hits, striking out six and walking three in 7 2/3 innings.

Seattle 7, Cleveland 6--Edgar Martinez doubled in two runs to break a fifth-inning tie and Jamie Moyer matched a career high with his 13th victory for the Mariners at Seattle.

Roberto Kelly, acquired in a trade Wednesday from Minnesota, started in left field and replaced Alex Rodriguez as the No. 2 hitter in the Mariners’ lineup. He had two hits and scored a run.

Moyer (13-4) went five innings and gave up two runs and five hits and four walks while striking out six. He went a combined 13-3 for Boston and the Mariners last season.

Heathcliff Slocumb worked the ninth inning and earned his 21st save--his fourth for Seattle--despite giving up two runs in the ninth before Sandy Alomar grounded to second with a runner on second base to end the game.

Chicago 6, Toronto 3--Frank Thomas hit a two-run homer at Chicago to lead the White Sox to their third consecutive win.

Thomas homered in the first inning off Pat Hentgen (13-8) for his 29th homer. Thomas’ one-out drive scored Dave Martinez and was his 61st first-inning homer and 11th this season.

In 40 games since the All-Star break, Thomas has 38 runs batted in.

Martinez added a two-run double and Ozzie Guillen had a two-run single for Chicago, which has won five of six.

Doug Drabek (10-8) gave up one run and four hits in five innings for his fourth win in five starts.

Detroit 2, Milwaukee 1--Tony Clark’s grounder drove in the go-ahead run in the 12th inning as the Tigers defeated the Brewers at Milwaukee.

Bobby Higginson singled with one out and took third when Travis Fryman singled off Bob Wickman (6-6). Clark hit a high hopper to second baseman Fernando Vina, who got the out at first while Higginson scored.

Dan Miceli (3-2) pitched three innings for the victory. Todd Jones pitched the 12th for his 24th save.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Mark Bellhorn Oakland 4 for 4, 2 RBIs, home run Win R. Palmeiro Baltimore 2 for 4, 2 RBIs, 2 doubles Win Frank Thomas Chicago 1 for 3, 2 RBIs, home run Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Randy Myers Baltimore 1 inning, 1 hit, Save 0 runs, 38th save J. Thompson Detroit 7 innings, 4 hits, Win 1 run, 1 walk Cal Eldred Milwaukee 6 1/3 innings, 4 hits, Loss 1 run, 6 strikeouts

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