Lofton, Thome Spark Indians

Kenny Lofton and Jim Thome hit first-inning home runs and Dave Burba pitched five innings before a nearly two-hour rain delay as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Oakland A’s, 9-5, Thursday to avoid being swept at Cleveland.

Oakland pitcher Tim Hudson left the game in the third inning after being struck in the upper chest by a line drive hit by Roberto Alomar. The Athletics said Hudson had a chest contusion and that X-rays were not planned.

Oakland’s John Jaha tied a major league record by striking out five times in a nine-inning game.

Baltimore 8, Tampa Bay 4--Harold Baines ended his RBI drought with a run-scoring double and a solo home run as the Orioles defeated the Devil Rays at Baltimore for their fourth consecutive victory. Baines, the majors’ active RBI leader with 1,583 entering the season, had only one in his first 11 games.

Minnesota 9, Kansas City 7--Sean Bergman, backed by four home runs, won his first game for the Twins, who swept their three-game series against the Royals at Minneapolis. Denny Hocking, Jason Maxwell, Matt Lawton and Butch Huskey homered for the Twins, who have hit 14 of their 16 home runs off the Royals.

Boston at Detroit, ppd., rain--The game between the Red Sox and the Tigers at Comerica Park was postponed because of rain, and no make-up date was announced. The game was the end of a homestand for the Tigers, who avoid facing Pedro Martinez, Thursday’s scheduled starter for the Red Sox.