Early Exit Irks Gordon As Bosox Roll

American League

The Red Sox didn’t bicker when they got off to the worst start in franchise history. But now, after a win, there is turmoil in the clubhouse.

Despite a 17-6 victory over the visiting California Angels on Wednesday night - Boston’s biggest offensive output in two years - starting pitcher Tom Gordon was angry because he didn’t get a chance for the win.

“I don’t usually get upset. But I’m upset,” Gordon said after being pulled after four innings with a 10-5 lead. “I was very surprised. Maybe you could shed some light on it.”

Mo Vaughn hit two of Boston’s four homers, joining Mike Stanley with four RBIs apiece, and Tim Naehring made a great play to avoid being nabbed in a fourth-inning rundown and give the Red Sox the lead for good.

But after Boston scored five in the fourth to take a 10-5 lead, Jamie Moyer (4-1) came on in place of Gordon to start the fifth. Gordon had allowed runs in each of the first four innings - five in all, three earned - on six hits and three walks.

“They scored four innings in a row. Our offense keeps countering and he couldn’t hold it,” manager Kevin Kennedy said. “I’ve given guys plenty of opportunities.

“My job’s to win games. Team. That’s the bottom line,” Kennedy said, adding that it did not bother him that Gordon was upset. “He’s a professional. He’s a good guy. He understands it.”

Indians 5, Tigers 2 Cleveland

Dennis Martinez moved past Whitey Ford into a tie for 48th place on the career victory list, pitching Cleveland past Detroit. Martinez (6-2) matched Waite Hoyt and Clark Griffith with his 237th lifetime win.

Twins 2, Blue Jays 1 Minneapolis

Frank Rodriguez pitched a six-hitter for the first complete game of his career, and Minnesota ended a four-game losing streak, beating Toronto.

Royals 3, Rangers 1 Arlington, Texas

Chris Haney pitched 7-2/3 shutout innings and Kansas City ended a four-game losing streak, downing Texas.

Texas lost for the third time in 12 games.

White Sox 20, Brewers 8 Milwaukee

Frank Thomas homered and drove in a career-high six runs as Chicago routed Milwaukee in a game that was delayed by fog for nearly 2 hours.

Umpire crew chief Jim Evans halted the game in the bottom of the first when right fielder Danny Tartabull hardly reacted on Kevin Seitzer’s fly ball in the haze.

The game did not resume until 1 hour, 50 minutes later.

Chicago outfielder Tony Phillips went into the stands to confront a heckling fan.

Phillips, who already had changed out of his uniform into street clothes after being taken out of the game in the sixth inning, went after a fan in the left-field bleachers, said Sheriff’s Dept Sgt. Mark Strachota.

Strachota said the 23-year-old fan and Phillips were being questioned.

Orioles-A’s, ppd., rain Oakland, Calif.

Rain postponed the scheduled Baltimore-Oakland game.

Clearing the bases

Kansas City entered the Texas series as the major league stolen base leader, but didn’t have a steal against the Rangers. … Cleveland’s Eddie Murray played in his 2,856th game, tying Robin Yount for 10th all-time.