Olerud’s Pinch Hit Conquers Royals

American League

Some call pinch-hitting the hardest job in baseball. The Toronto Blue Jays have made it look easy over the weekend.

John Olerud delivered Toronto’s second game-winning pinch-single in two days Sunday, driving in Mike Huff in the bottom of the ninth as the Blue Jays beat the visiting Kansas City Royals 4-3.

“It’s tough being in the pinch-hitter’s role,” said Olerud, whose appearance was his first as a pinch-hitter this year. “It’s definitely a different mindset.”

Shawn Green said much the same thing Saturday night after pinch-hitting in the 13th inning and driving home Joe Carter for a 5-4 win.

Carter homered twice and Candy Maldonado homered once for the Blue Jays. Michael Tucker hit a three-run homer for Kansas City.

Olerud got a chance to be a hero thanks to an error by Royals third-baseman Gary Gaetti. With two outs, Huff singled to third and Gaetti overthrew first to allow Huff to take second.

Gregg Olson (1-1) intentionally walked Alex Gonzalez before serving up a fastball away that Olerud hit to left-center field.

Twins 8, Tigers 7 (10)

Detroit

Chip Hale’s one-out homer in the top of the 10th, the seventh homer of the game, lifted Minnesota to the victory over Detroit.

Kirby Puckett and Rich Hale also hit home runs for the Twins.

Bobby Higginson hit a pair of homers while Cecil Fielder and Lou Whitaker also connected for Detroit.

Rangers 6, White Sox 4

Chicago

Otis Nixon capped a six-run first inning with a two-run double that sent Kenny Rogers and Texas to victory over Chicago.

Rogers (12-5), won his third consecutive decision, giving up seven hits, walking one and striking out five over 7 innings.

Indians 8, Brewers 5

Cleveland

Jose Mesa set a major league record with his 37th save in 37 tries after Cleveland rallied for five runs in the eighth inning to beat Milwaukee.

Angels 10, Yankees 5

Anaheim, Calif.

Jim Edmonds took over the major-league lead in RBIs, going 4-for-5 with a homer and driving in three runs as California beat New York.

Athletics 6, Orioles 3

Oakland

Doug Johns, replacing Ron Darling, who had been released, allowed two hits in 5-2/3 innings in his second major-league start as Oakland defeated Baltimore.

Clearing the bases

Darling fell victim to the youth movement of a struggling team, receiving his release from Oakland hours before a scheduled start… . The California Angels have yet to drop any of their 13 series since the All-Star break, winning 11 while splitting two… . Cleveland closer Jose Mesa hasn’t allowed an earned run since June 8.