Milton Pitches In Against Royals

The first 20 Kansas City batters failed to reach base Sunday against Eric Milton of the Minnesota Twins.

Milton didn’t allow a runner until Carlos Beltran’s two-out double in the seventh inning, and the Twins hit six homers in defeating the Royals, 13-7, at Kansas City.

Milton, a 24-year-old left-hander, took no-hit bids into the sixth three times last season. On Sept. 11, he pitched a no-hitter against the Angels.

Former Dodger Ron Coomer hit two homers and drove in four runs. Matt Lawton homered and also had four runs batted in. Coomer, Jacque Jones and Matt LeCroy homered off Brad Rigby during a four-pitch span in the sixth inning.

Oakland 14, Chicago 2--Jason Giambi hit a grand slam and also scored on his younger brother’s sacrifice fly as the Athletics routed the White Sox at Oakland.

Making his first start for the A’s, Jeremy Giambi also had a run-scoring triple to start a five-run sixth inning. Jason’s slam highlighted a six-run seventh.

Seattle 9, New York 3--Jamie Moyer yielded three hits in eight innings to defeat the Yankees at Seattle. He retired 15 of the last 16 batters he faced.

Before the game, Yankee pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre announced he has a form of blood cancer that he said was diagnosed about a year ago. He will begin treatment in New York immediately but expects to remain with the club.

Cleveland 17, Tampa Bay 4--Kenny Lofton and Omar Vizquel, the first two hitters in the lineup, drove in nine runs--five by Vizquel--as the Indians completed a three-game sweep at St. Petersburg, Fla. Roberto Alomar, David Justice and Manny Ramirez hit two-run homers for the Indians.

Baltimore 11, Detroit 6--The Orioles sent 11 men to the plate in the second inning, scoring six runs to take an 8-3 lead as they completed a three-game sweep at Baltimore.

Texas 7, Toronto 5--Rick Helling pitched six solid innings to help the Rangers win at Arlington, Texas. He gave up three runs--two earned--and four hits and struck out seven.