Indians Can’t Steal Win From Red Sox

American League

The Boston Red Sox scored nine runs in the fourth, their most productive inning in nearly three years, and overcame visiting Cleveland’s base-stealing flurry for a 12-6 win Sunday over the Indians.

Cleveland built a 5-0 lead after three innings with the help of six stolen bases, including three by Matt Williams. The slugger had a total of five the past four years before running wild against the Red Sox.

But Boston ripped Chad Ogea (5-5) and took the lead in the fourth on seven hits, two walks and an error.

It was their most productive inning since they scored 10 against Toronto on June 21, 1994.

Joe Hudson (1-0), called up from the minors earlier in the day, pitched three shutout innings in relief of Jeff Suppan for the victory.

Cleveland’s Jim Thome homered for the sixth time in six games.

Cleveland had taken advantage of the inability of Boston’s starting battery to keep players from stealing.

Twelve of 13 would-be base stealers had succeeded against Suppan in his career before Sunday. And Mike Stanley, making his first start at catcher since last Aug. 31, threw out just 10 of 104 attempted stealers last year.

Athletics 7, Blue Jays 5 Toronto

Mark McGwire hit his 24th home run and Geronimo Berroa had a three-run shot as Oakland held on for a win.

McGwire hit a two-run homer in the third off Luis Andujar (0-2) that caromed off the third-level windows in SkyDome, an estimated 436 feet. It was McGwire’s 20th career homer against the Blue Jays, his fewest against any club.

Winning pitcher Don Wengert (3-3) didn’t allow the Blue Jays a hit until the sixth inning.

Orioles 2, White Sox 1 Chicago

Jimmy Key won his 10th game with seven strong innings and Roberto Alomar homered.

Key (10-1) gave up six hits and struck out a season-high nine, including Albert Belle twice looking. The lefthander lowered his ERA to 2.56 and is second in the A.L. in wins to Toronto’s Roger Clemens, who has 11.

Armando Benitez was perfect in 1-1/2 innings of relief, and Randy Myers got the last two outs for his 19th save in 20 opportunities.

Angels 8, Twins 6 Minneapolis

Tim Salmon homered in the sixth inning then doubled during a five-run rally in the seventh for Anaheim.

Salmon’s solo homer brought the Angels within 6-3. Anaheim loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh and Salmon blooped a two-run double off Mike Trombley.

Garret Anderson followed with a two-run single, giving the Angels a 7-6 lead, and Eddie Murray hit an RBI double.

Yankees 3, Brewers 1 New York

Paul O’Neill hit a two-run homer and Tino Martinez added his 21st homer of the season, as New York finished a three-game sweep of Milwaukee.

The Yankees have won six of their last eight games. The Brewers have lost four straight overall and seven in a row at Yankees Stadium.

David Cone (7-3) struck out nine in seven innings and allowed seven hits. He fanned eight in the first four innings.

Royals 4, Rangers 2 Kansas City, Mo.

Jose Offerman had his eighth multi-hit game in nine starts for Kansas City and doubled during a four-run second inning.

The Rangers’ third straight loss matched their longest skid of the season. The Royals won their third in a row, tying their best streak of the year.

Tim Belcher (7-6) got his second straight victory, going six innings and allowing six hits and two runs.

Clearing the bases

Oakland’s Jason Giambi extended his batting streak to 21 games…. Jose Offerman is batting .403 in his last nine starts, raising his average from .255 to .320…. Texas’ Will Clark went 1 for 16 in the fourgame series with the Royals, and his batting average dropped from .392 to .361…. Chuck Knoblauch of the Twins has stolen 20 consecutive bases without being caught and leads the league with 28… . The White Sox and Cubs will wear pre-1920 replica uniforms for their interleague debut June 16.