Palmer’s Homers Pay Gross Dividends In Strange Win

American League

Kevin Gross knew he was lucky. It’s seldom that you give up three homers in an inning and win.

“I really struggled with my control,” Gross said Wednesday after the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 12-7 at Arlington, Texas, to complete a threegame sweep. “After we got the lead, I just tried to throw strikes. They hit the ball hard in the second but with our offense, we’re able to come back.”

After falling behind 5-0 in the second, Texas scored six runs in the bottom half and three more in the third off Danny Darwin.

Dean Palmer homered in the second and third innings, enabling Gross (1-3) to get his first A.L. win.

Texas swept a three-game home series for the first time since Sept. 6-8, 1993.

Toronto’s John Olerud had a solo homer.

Orioles 7, Tigers 4

Baltimore

Jeff Manto’s first homer since 1991 highlighted a five-run sixth, and Baltimore overcame a four-run deficit and two homers by Cecil Fielder to beat Detroit.

Twins 7, Angels 3

Minneapolis

Rookie Marty Cordova hit a two-run homer and Minnesota took advantage of three errors to score five unearned runs in a win over California.

Red Sox 8, Brewers 2

Milwaukee

Aaron Sele (3-1) scattered five hits in 6 innings and Mo Vaughn drove in three runs as Boston stopped Milwaukee, which had been shut out in 20 consecutive innings before scoring in the ninth.

White Sox 6, Athletics 4

Chicago

Mike LaValliere, with just one hit this season entering the game, doubled in two runs in the seventh and Chicago rallied to beat Oakland.

Indians at Yankees, ppd., rain

New York

Cleveland road game was postponed and will be made up as part of a twi-night doubleheader on Aug. 10.

Canseco placed on D.L.

Boston placed Jose Canseco on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin. The move is retroactive to May 15.

The Red Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Tim VanEgmond from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Canseco’s spot on the roster.

Canseco, acquired in an off-season trade with Texas for outfielder Otis Nixon and infielder Luis Ortiz, has been plagued by injuries this year and is hitting 231 with one homer and eight RBIs in 12 games.

All-Star plan in works

Baseball players and owners are working toward an agreement that would ensure this summer’s All-Star game is played, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

The source, speaking on the condition he not be identified, said the parties are attempting to resolve the unfair labor practice complaint issued against owners for failing to make a $7.8 million payment to the union’s benefits plan last Aug. 1.

Clearing the bases

B.J. Surhoff, who pinch-hit in the seventh, appeared in his 1,000th game for Milwaukee… . Cal Ripken of Baltimore played his 2000th consecutive game at shortstop since July 1, 1982. Detroit has used 17 different starting shortstops since then… . Chuck Finley of California is 0-4, but the Angels have scored just five runs while he is on the mound… . Chicago reliever Ron Dibble made his first major league appearance since September 1993, when he was with Cincinnati.