Kelly Goes ‘Dome’ To Thrash Gooden
Roberto Kelly got an inside-the-park homer when his fly ball was lost in the Metrodome roof, highlighting a six-run first inning against Dwight Gooden that sent the Minnesota Twins over the New York Yankees 9-1 Friday night.
Gooden (5-4) retired just two batters, matching the shortest start of his career. He allowed seven hits, including a routine fly by Kelly that center fielder Bernie Williams did not catch.
The Twins already led 2-0 on Greg Myers’ two-run double when Kelly lofted a fly ball. Williams held out his arms in medium center field and the ball landed 40 feet behind him near the warning track, allowing Kelly to score standing up.
Orioles 6, Angels 2 Anaheim, Calif.
Mike Mussina allowed three hits in 7-1/3 innings and Cal Ripken Jr. went 3 for 3.
The Orioles won for the 13th time in 16 games and improved their major-league-leading record to 71-40, the first time they have been 31 games over .500 since 1983. The Angels’ loss dropped them a half-game behind the Mariners.
Rangers 6, Indians 5 Cleveland
Jim Leyritz’s two-run single in the ninth inning lifted Texas to a comeback victory over Cleveland and gave pitcher Scott Bailes his first victory since 1992.
Bailes (1-0), who retired from the majors in 1993 and opened three children’s apparel stores, made a comeback this year with Texas’ Class AAA affiliate in Oklahoma City after playing semipro and winter league ball. The 34-year-old left-hander pitched 1-2/3 innings before John Wetteland worked the ninth for his 22nd save.
Blue Jays 6, Tigers 3 Toronto
Carlos Delgado hit a pair of two-run homers for Toronto.
Delgado connected to cap a four-run third inning, and hit his 24th home run in the eighth. Loser Willie Blair (11-5) had won seven straight starts.
Red Sox 8, Royals 2 Boston
Reggie Jefferson hit a three-run homer to extend his hitting streak to 22 games as Boston won a season-high fifth straight.
Rookie Scott Hatteberg had a career-high four hits, including three doubles, and the Red Sox climbed within two games of .500 for the first time since May 8.
Clearing the bases
Wade Boggs’ seventh-inning single gave him 2,774 hits, tying him with Andre Dawson for 37th on the career list. … Jose Cruz Jr. is 10 for 34 with three homers since coming to Toronto. He has hits in seven of eight games. … Former pitcher Luis Tiant was selected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame. … Eddie Murray tied Nap Lajoie for 10th on the all-time hit list with 3,252.