Sparks Ignites Milwaukee, 1-0

American League

Steve Sparks can now be remembered for more than separating his left shoulder while attempting to rip a phone book in half.

Sparks, a rookie righthanded knuckleballer, allowed five hits over 7 1/3 innings for his first major league victory as the Milwaukee Brewers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 1-0 shutout over Texas Friday at the Ballpark at Arlington.

“That (the phone book incident in 1994 spring training) was blown a little out of proportion, but for whatever reason, that’s what’s stuck with me,” said Sparks, the only knuckleball pitcher in the American League. “Hopefully, I can go ahead and prove myself.”

Sparks (1-0), making his first major-league start, avoided potential problems in the second and seventh when his defense backed him with double plays. He struck out three and allowed four walks to snap Texas’ four-game winning streak.

“The more he pitches, the better he’ll be,” Milwaukee manager Phil Garner said. “He was getting ahead in the count and he got in a nice, easy pattern. Steve Sparks was the star of the show tonight.”

Orioles 7, Yankees 5

New York

Brady Anderson hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth, giving Baltimore a come-frombehind win.

New York had a 5-3 lead entering the ninth and was on the verge of ending its three-game losing streak. But Harold Baines singled off Steve Howe, Chris Hoiles drew a walk off John Wetteland (1-1), pinch-hitter Matt Nokes singled to load the bases and Jeff Manto hit an RBI single to make it 5-4.

Athletics 10, Royals 3

Kansas City, Mo.

Terry Steinbach went 4 for 5 to lead an offensive surge by the Nos. 6, 7 and 8 hitters in Oakland’s lineup as it beat Kansas City.

Steinbach, Brent Gates and Scott Brosius were a combined 7 for 14 with three doubles and four RBIs.

Indians 9, Red Sox 5

Boston

Kenny Lofton went 3 for 3 and scored four times, including the go-ahead run on Carlos Baerga’s two-out single in the ninth, as Cleveland rallied.

Boston was one out away from extending its winning streak to six games, but Omar Vizquel hit a single past Mo Vaughn to drive in Wayne Kirby and tie the game at 5.

Angels 6, White Sox 5

Chicago

Tim Salmon hit a two-out, RBI single in the top of the ninth as California beat Chicago.

Salmon entered the game in a 4-for-22 slump, but his third hit of the game was a liner to right. Tony Phillips beat Mike Devereaux’s throw to the plate.

Blue Jays 4, Tigers 2

Detroit

Shawn Green and Ed Sprague homered on the first two pitches of the seventh, helping Toronto snap a three-game losing streak.

David Cone (3-2) scattered four hits, including Cecil Fielder’s eighth homer, walked three and struck out five to win his second straight complete game. Cone did not allow a Detroit hit the final four innings and retired the last seven batters he faced.

Clearing the bases

Milwaukee placed righthander Cal Eldred (inflamed right elbow) on the 15-day disabled list. Right-hander Ron Rightnowar, a replacement player in the spring, was called up from Triple-A New Orleans to replace Eldred … Oakland’s Mark McGwire doubled home a run in the eighth, extending his hitting streak to a careerbest 16 games… . California’s Chili Davis got so angry after striking out in the seventh he broke his bat over his knee… . Don Mattingly missed New York’s game because of treatment for a viral infection of his right eye. … Toronto’s Roberto Alomar was removed in the eighth against Detroit with a strained muscle in the right side of his back.