Indians Wrap Up Title By Drubbing Chisox

American League

The Cleveland Indians, with the best record in the major leagues, clinched their second consecutive A.L. Central title Tuesday night at Chicago, routing the Chicago White Sox 9-4 behind a grand slam by Kevin Seitzer.

Cleveland became the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year, and the victory sends the Indians into postseason play in consecutive seasons for the first time in their 96-year history.

It also touched off a celebration at Comiskey Park, home of the slumping White Sox, whose wild-card hopes continue to wilt after six losses in eight games.

The Indians (91-59) would face Baltimore in the opening round of the A.L. playoffs if the Orioles hold on to their wild-card lead and fail to catch the A.L. East-leading New York Yankees.

The Indians scored three runs in the first off Alex Fernandez (14-10) and then added five more in the second as Seitzer, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 31, hit his fourth career grand slam.

Orioles vs. Yankees, ppd.

New York

The opening game of a three-game A.L. East showdown between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees was rained out in the bottom of the first inning.

A make-up date was not announced. The Yankees, scheduled to play Baltimore again today and Thursday, lead the second-place Orioles by three games.

The rain, which began in New York on Monday night and rarely let up in the next 24 hours, was forecast to continue through today.

Royals 4, Twins 2

Kansas City, Mo.

Paul Molitor did not start for the first time this season, and Chris Haney picked up his career-best 10th win in Kansas City’s victory.

Molitor, who has got his 3,000th hit on Monday night, was not in the starting lineup but led off the ninth inning as a pinch-hitter. He received another standing ovation then singled for his league-leading 213th hit.

Red Sox 4, Tigers 2

Detroit

Boston kept its wild-card hopes alive and handed Detroit its 100th loss of the season and its 10th in a row.

Jose Canseco, playing for the first time in almost two months, broke a 2-2 tie when he drew a bases-loaded walk in the Boston seventh inning.

Brewers 4, Blue Jays 0

Milwaukee

Ben McDonald (12-10) struck out 10 while pitching eight scoreless innings and Fernando Vina had a two-run triple as Milwaukee shut out Toronto.

Athletics 5, Angels 1

Anaheim, Calif.

Ariel Prieto pitched 6-2/3 scoreless innings, and Terry Steinbach and Brian Lesher hit consecutive homers in the second inning as Oakland beat California.

Clearing the bases

Kenny Lofton bunted for a single in the second inning to become Cleveland’s first left-handed hitter to reach 200 hits since Dale Mitchell had 203 in 1949… . The Twins have scheduled a pre-game tribute to Paul Molitor on Sept. 28 in the Metrodome.