Rangers Finally Begin To Hit Stride

American League

Johnny Oates could have asked for world peace. Instead, he set his sights on something that seemed more attainable - production from the middle of the Texas Rangers’ batting order.

Oates’ pre-game wish was answered by home runs from Will Clark and Juan Gonzalez in a 9-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night before 27,614 at Comiskey Park. Clark hit a three-run homer to put Texas ahead, and Gonzalez padded the margin with a two-run shot.

“Those were the two biggest swings in the ballgame,” Oates said. “Five runs on two swings is always nice.”

The Rangers improved to 55-50 overall, maintaining their lead in the five-team race for the American League’s wild-card spot.

Clark’s return to the lineup after a four-game absence due to back spasms meant he and Gonzalez were hitting back-to-back for the first time since July 26.

Angels 5, Yankees 3

Anaheim, Calif.,

Left fielder Garret Anderson robbed pinch-hitter Darryl Strawberry of a game-tying home run in the ninth inning, and California held off New York.

Strawberry, batting for Gerald Williams, ran the count to 3-2 against Lee Smith before hitting an opposite-field drive to deep left. Anderson jumped, reached over the 8-foot fence and made the catch.

Indians 4, Brewers 3

Cleveland

Eddie Murray led off the bottom of the ninth inning with his 15th home run, giving Cleveland the victory over Milwaukee.

The Indians became the first team in baseball with 70 wins and increased their lead in the A.L. Central to 18 games. They have won 20 games in their last at-bat.

Murray, batting lefthanded, sent a 2-0 pitch from Bill Wegman (5-5) into the stands in right, making a winner of Eric Plunk (6-2), Cleveland’s fifth pitcher. He struck out three of the five batters he faced.

Murray has 473 career home runs, two away from tying Stan Musial and Willie Stargell for 16th on the all-time list.

Orioles 12, Athletics 6

Oakland, Calif.,

Harold Baines homered twice, including his ninth career grand slam, and Baltimore won consecutive games for the first time since July 25-26 with a 12-6 victory Saturday night over Oakland.

Brady Anderson homered, tripled and scored three runs and Jeff Manto added a solo shot for the Orioles, who also got a two-run double from Bobby Bonilla and an RBI single from Rafael Palmeiro.

Twins 9, Tigers 5

Detroit

Ron Coomer and Chuck Knoblauch homered during a four-run third inning and Brad Radke settled down from a shaky start as Minnesota topped Detroit.

The Tigers took a 3-0 lead with four straight hits in the first, but Radke (9-11) retired the next 15 batters, the longest such streak by a Twins pitcher this year.

Jays 5, Royals 4 (13)

Toronto

Shawn Green’s two-out pinch-single in the 13th inning scored Joe Carter from third base, giving Toronto a victory over Kansas City.

Carter reached on a fielder’s choice, John Olerud singled and Ed Sprague reached on a fielder’s choice that forced Olerud at second. Green, pinch-hitting for Mike Huff, then singled to left off Jeff Montgomery (1-2).

Clearing the bases

Gov. Tommy G. Thompson announced a $250 million financing package for construction of a new ballpark for the Milwaukee Brewers, who indicated they would leave town without one.

The stadium partnership package requires creation of a regional taxing district that will pay $160 million, while the Brewers agreed to contribute $90 million, including a $50 million state loan.

Another $72 million for site preparation, including relocating an expressway, would be provided by the state, city and Milwaukee County.