Late Homer Helps A’S Leave Vegas With Win

American League

Geronimo Berroa hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and Oakland finished its stay in Las Vegas with a flourish, rallying past Detroit for a 7-6 victory.

The A’s went 2-4 while playing at Cashman Field. They were forced to move for the first week of the season because of construction at the Oakland Coliseum.

Chad Curtis hit a solo home run in the ninth, giving the Tigers a 6-5 lead against winning pitcher Jim Corsi (1-0).

But Brent Gates singled to open the Oakland half of the ninth and, after Jason Giambi flied out, Berroa homered off Brian Williams (0-1). Berroa’s shot was the 23rd home run hit in the six games at the minor-league park, home of the Triple-A Las Vegas Stars.

Rangers 7-4, Yanks 2-1

Arlington, Texas

Dwight Gooden showed good stuff in his first major-league game since June 1994, but two Texas homers made him a loser in his American League debut for New York in the first game of a doubleheader.

The Rangers won the nightcap to match the best start in team history and remain the only unbeaten team in the majors.

Former Spokane Indians outfielder Warren Newson homered and later contributed an RBI single to a three-run eighth inning that helped the Rangers improve to 6-0.

The twin victories allowed Texas to tie the start of their 1979 club. The Rangers also kept alive an impressive streak in which all six victories have gone to their starters.

Red Sox 3, Royals 1

Kansas CIty, Mo.

Boston avoided its worst start in 69 years, becoming the last major league team to win a game by defeating Kansas City.

Jose Canseco homered for the second time in three games, and Jamie Moyer pitched well into the eighth inning. Boston, which started the season 0-5, hadn’t lost its first six games since 1927.

Heathcliff Slocumb recorded the last three outs for his first save for the Red Sox since being traded to Boston by Philadelphia during the offseason.

Moyer struck out six and walked one. Mike Stanton relieved Moyer, and Slocumb took over after a leadoff walk in the ninth.

Orioles 4, Twins 2

Minneapolis

Mike Mussina pitched eight strong innings and Bobby Bonilla homered as their Baltimore beat Minnesota for its fifth win in six games this season.

Mussina (2-0), who led the A.L. with 19 wins last year, allowed seven hits, including Paul Molitor’s leadoff homer in the seventh inning. He struck out eight and walked one.

Randy Myers pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Rafael Palmeiro ended an 0-for-14 slump with an RBI double in the Baltimore ninth.

Angels 6, White Sox 5

Anaheim, Calif.

N.L. transplants Don Slaught and Tim Wallach hit two of California’s four home runs as the Angels beat Chicago.

Rex Hudler hit a leadoff homer in the first and Tim Salmon hit a two-run drive in the third, his third in three games.

Indians 8, Blue Jays 3

Cleveland

Albert Belle hit two of Cleveland’s four home runs as the Indians’ offense finally started up in a victory over Toronto.

Manny Ramirez had three hits, including a home run and a triple, and Carlos Baerga also homered for Cleveland, which won its second straight after an 0-3 start.

Clearing the bases

The Oakland Athletics completed their first triple play in 13 years… . Baltimore relievers have not allowed an earned run in all three save situations… . Kevin Tapani, who had to leave his start at Seattle after three innings on Wednesday, when he strained a groin muscle, is expected to take his turn Tuesday in the White Sox’s home opener. Tapani has made 161 straight starts since last missing one due to injury, in August 1990.