Griffey Steals Spotlight With Powerful Legs

The Baltimore Orioles weren’t going to let Ken Griffey Jr. hit the ball out of the park, so he found a different way to get around the bases.

Griffey stole a career-high three bases in three attempts and scored three runs Sunday as the Seattle Mariners handed the Orioles their second consecutive loss, 10-4, at Baltimore. It’s the first time the Orioles have lost consecutive games since the All-Star break.

Griffey went one for two with three walks. He did not hit a home run for the third consecutive game and remained at 40. He had 10 steals in 12 attempts before enjoying his perfect day.

“I just ran, I guess. I always have the green light,” Griffey said. “With Edgar [Martinez] hitting behind me, he hits the ball to all fields. He’s capable of hitting in the hole. So sometimes you just end up running.”

Minnesota 11, Texas 3--Todd Walker continued his tear with four hits, including a three-run homer, and the Twins won at Minneapolis for their first three-game sweep of the season.

Walker, who has reached base in each of his last 10 plate appearances, raised his average to .352.

Juan Gonzalez hit his 31st homer for the Rangers, a two-run shot in the sixth. His only hit of the series increased his major league-leading RBI total to 116.

Tampa Bay 3, Oakland 1--Wilson Alvarez won for the first time in more than two months and Fred McGriff had four hits, including a two-run homer as the Devil Rays equaled a season-best four-game winning streak with a victory at St. Petersburg, Fla.

McGriff’s third-inning shot against Tom Candiotti (5-13) broke a 1-1 tie. Alvarez (5-8) gave up one run and three hits in seven innings.

Detroit 8, Cleveland 1--Tony Clark hit home runs from both sides of the plate to help Brian Moehler earn a rare road victory for the Tigers at Cleveland.

Moehler (11-7) gave up one run, eight hits, struck out five and walked two in 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander, 9-0 at home, improved to 2-7 on the road.

Boston 6, Toronto 3--Nomar Garciaparra hit a three-run inside-the-park homer, and Pedro Martinez pitched seven scoreless innings for the Red Sox at Boston.

Martinez (14-3) gave up six hits and one walk, struck out six and allowed only two batters as far as third base before leaving with a 5-0 lead.