Liefer’s Return Is Seattle’s Downfall

It didn’t take long for Jeff Liefer to shake off any rust against the Seattle Mariners.

Liefer, in the starting lineup for the first time in six days, hit a three-run homer and doubled to help the Chicago White Sox defeat Seattle, 6-5, Sunday at Chicago.

The left-handed-hitting Liefer was the designated hitter against Mariner right-hander James Baldwin. Liefer replaced Frank Thomas, who is in an 0-for-11 slump.

“I definitely felt a little stale,” Liefer said. “The first two strikes pretty much blew right by me. I was just trying to make contact and [Baldwin] left it out over the plate.”

The homer was Liefer’s third. He hit 18 last season.

“This year has been tough,” Liefer said. “I definitely came into this year hoping to play a lot more than I have.”

Joe Crede and Jose Valentin hit solo homers for the White Sox, who have won five of seven. Crede’s home run was his first in the majors.

White Sox starter Dan Wright (8-10) gave up four runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

John Olerud hit his 20th home run for the Mariners, who also got run-scoring singles from Bret Boone and Edgar Martinez.

Boston 3, Minnesota 1--Tim Wakefield (6-4) gave up four hits and struck out seven in eight innings at Boston for his 100th career victory.

The Red Sox, who took two of three from the American League Central-leading Twins, scored twice in the sixth on Johnny Damon’s double and Shea Hillenbrand’s sacrifice fly.

Texas 11, Cleveland 5--Alex Rodriguez hit his AL-leading 38th homer, and rookie Travis Hafner nearly hit for the cycle at Cleveland.

Rodriguez had three hits, Rafael Palmeiro drove in three runs and Frank Catalanotto singled, doubled, tripled and scored three times.

Hafner, who made his major league debut Tuesday, went four for five with three runs batted in. Needing a triple for the cycle, he was thrown out at third trying to stretch a double in the seventh.

Detroit 2, Baltimore 1--Steve Sparks gave up four hits in seven-plus innings at Detroit, and Damian Jackson and George Lombard had run-scoring singles.

Sparks (7-11) earned his second consecutive victory and third in four starts with a 65-mph knuckleball that kept the Orioles off-balance.

Kansas City 10, Tampa Bay 0--Rookie Runelvys Hernandez (3-1) and three relievers combined on a two-hitter, and Joe Randa hit a three-run homer at Kansas City, Mo.