Fernandez’s Gem Polishes Off Texas

American League

Alex Fernandez pitched a three-hitter for his first shutout since last September and Harold Baines went 4 for 5 with four runs batted in Friday to lead the Chicago White Sox over the Texas Rangers 9-0 at Arlington, Texas.

Texas missed a chance to extend its 1-game lead over Seattle in the A.L. West.

Fernandez (11-7) was staked to a 4-0 lead before he threw a pitch and was in command from the start. He struck out eight and walked one in his ninth career shutout and third complete game this season. Fernandez retired the final 10 batters.

After allowing a one-out single in the first to Mark McLemore, Fernandez retired 12 straight before Mickey Tettleton’s one-out single in the fifth. The Rangers had runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth, but Fernandez struck out Dave Valle to end the threat.

Baines had run-scoring singles in the first and second and a two-run single in the four-run sixth.

Royals 4, Yankees 3 (10) Kansas City, Mo.

Jose Offerman barely reached around catcher Joe Girardi’s sweeping tag to score on Keith Lockhart’s two-out double, capping a wild 10th as Kansas City rallied after New York scored three in the top of the inning, including Cecil Fielder’s solo shot.

Brewers 4, A’s 3 (10) Oakland, Calif.

David Hulse hit a two-out, run-scoring single in the 10th, lifting Milwaukee over Oakland and spoiling the return of Mark McGwire, who missed five games with back problems.

Red Sox 11, Twins 10 Boston

Troy O’Leary hit a two-out, two-run triple off center fielder Rich Becker’s glove, capping a four-run rally in the ninth that gave Boston a win over Minnesota.

Indians 11, Orioles 1 Cleveland

Kenny Lofton had four hits, including a two-run homer, and Albert Belle hit his 37th homer to support Orel Hershiser (11-7) as Cleveland beat Baltimore.

Blue Jays 9, Angels 2 Toronto

Pat Hentgen (13-6) won his sixth straight start, and Juan Samuel homered, doubled and drove in four runs as Toronto handed California its fifth consecutive loss.

Murray honored

Eddie Murray returned to Jacobs Field to a standing ovation.

Murray, traded to Baltimore earlier this month for pitcher Kent Mercker, was applauded for more than a minute when he led off the top of the third against Cleveland. Pitcher Orel Hershiser stepped off the mound while Murray waved to the fans.

Murray was signed by Cleveland as a free agent in 1994 and helped the Indians to their first World Series in 41 years in 1995.

Clearing the bases

Harold Baines of Chicago increased his career RBI total to 1,333, moving past Carlton Fisk and Ron Santo into a tie with Duke Snider for 58th place. … Kevin Appier notched his 1,094th strikeout, moving past Bret Saberhagen into third place on Kansas City’s career list, behind Mark Gubicza (1,366) and Dennis Leonard (1,323). … New York pitchers lead the majors with 22 pickoffs.

Minnesota’s Paul Molitor has 28 RBIs in his last 23 games. … A cat sprinted behind home plate during Manny Ramirez’s atbat in the bottom of the second for Cleveland. … Ed Sprague of Toronto has a career-high 75 RBIs.