Strawberry Swings As Suspension Ends

American League

Darryl Strawberry, working out on the day his 60-day drug suspension ended, hit about 400 balls in batting practice Sunday at the New York Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa, Fla.

Strawberry is scheduled to hit against Scott Kamieniecki, a Yankees teammate on injury rehabilitation, this morning. He may then play in an afternoon Gulf Coast League game between rookie teams of the Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do,” said Yankees second baseman Pat Kelly, also in Tampa on an injury rehabilitation assignment. “He wants to prove to everybody that he’s back and that he can still perform at this level.”

Strawberry hit several balls over the right-field fence during Sunday’s workout. His session Saturday was rained out, leading to extra rounds of batting practice.

Strawberry signed with the Yankees last Monday, but could not play in any official games until his suspension ended. He may play his first game in the majors for the Yankees later this week in Milwaukee.

“He’s explosive going into the ball. It’s short and quick,” said former major league manager Dick Williams, a Yankees scout on assignment to oversee Strawberry’s progress.

Clearing the bases

Rookie outfielder Bobby Higginson of Detroit has four assists in his last four games… . Baltimore placed third baseman Jeff Manto, a surprise with 12 homers and 30 RBIs, on the 15-day disabled list after he suffered a pulled left hamstring… . Boston’s Lee Tinsley went 2 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games… . During their current losing streak, the Blue Jays have been outscored 48-18.

Yankees 8, Blue Jays 2

New York

Paul O’Neill tripled in two runs and sent New York past Toronto for its first three-game sweep this year.

The Yankees won their season-high fourth in a row. Toronto lost its sixth straight, its longest losing streak in a year.

New York also has won five consecutive games against the Blue Jays for the first time since September 1986.

White Sox 3, Indians 2

Chicago

Robin Ventura singled home the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth inning as Chicago completed a three-game sweep of Cleveland.

The loss extended Cleveland’s longest skid of the season to four games.

The Indians played the game under protest after a disputed pickoff play in the sixth inning.

Chicago, which got only four hits, matched a season-high with its third straight victory.

Orioles 10, Red Sox 1

Baltimore

Cal Ripken hit a three-run homer and Arthur Rhodes pitched eight strong innings as Baltimore routed Boston for a split of the four-game series.

Rhodes (2-2) struck out nine, matching his career high set earlier this season in Minnesota. He gave up six hits and walked two.

Athletics 6, Rangers 2

Arlington, Texas

Steve Ontiveros won for the seventh time in his last eight decisions and Oakland snapped a seven-game Texas home winning streak.

Ontiveros (8-2) allowed seven hits, striking out six with one walk as Oakland beat Texas for only the second time in seven meetings this season.

With the loss, the Rangers fell out of a first-place tie with California.

Tigers 6, Brewers 3

Detroit

Alan Trammell hit the fifth grand slam of his career, capping a five-run rally in the eighth inning that gave Detroit its victory over Milwaukee.

Twins vs. Royals, ppd.

Kansas City, Mo.

The game between Minnesota and Kansas City was postponed because of rain after a delay of 1 hour and 37 minutes and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sept. 18.