Yanks’ Bats Help Struggling Irabu

American League

The Cleveland Indians and a devilish mix of heat and humidity conspired to strip Hideki Irabu of his mystique Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

By the third inning, with an oppressive sun bearing down on him, Irabu wavered as Cleveland’s Tony Fernandez smacked a solo home run deep into the right-field seats. After the fifth, following two more homers - by Marquis Grissom and Matt Williams - Irabu’s second major league start was over.

But the Yankees, limping along with a suspect offense lately, made sure Irabu could leave with a smile. They buried Indians starter Charles Nagy, pounding him for nine hits and eight runs in 2-1/3 innings to give Irabu plenty of support as the Yankees rolled to a 12-6 victory.

Irabu (2-0) allowed nine hits and five runs in five innings and struck out four with one walk.

Angels 6, Rangers 2 Anaheim, Calif.

Jason Dickson, halfway to becoming the American League’s first rookie 20-game winner in 43 years, scattered eight hits in seven innings as Anaheim defeated Texas for its eighth consecutive victory.

The win tied the third-longest streak in the Angels’ 37-year history. They had an 11-game run in June 1964, and won 10 in a row in April 1979 en route to the first of their three A.L. West titles.

Under new manager Terry Collins, the Angels also have come out of the All-Star break with a 6-0 mark for the first time. They were 5-0 in 1995, when they tied for first with Seattle and lost a one-game playoff.

Twins 8, White Sox 4 Minneapolis

Brad Radke (12-5) took a no-hit bid into the sixth and won his eighth consecutive start, and Roberto Kelly hit a two-run homer in a five-run fourth inning for Minnesota.

Radke allowed three runs - one earned - and five hits in seven-plus innings. He didn’t allow a hit until Mike Cameron’s leadoff bloop single in the sixth.

Brewers 5, Royals 2 Kansas City, Mo.

Dave Nilsson homered twice and Scott Karl (3-10) won for the first time since May 23 as Milwaukee sent Kansas City to its 13th loss in 14 games.

Nilsson had his first multi-homer game this season, connecting off Kevin Appier (6-8) in the sixth and eighth innings.

Tigers 7, Red Sox 5 (12) Boston

Melvin Nieves’ two-run homer in the 12th inning, the 13th allowed by John Wasdin in 80 innings, gave the Tigers their victory.

Orioles 8, Blue Jays 4 Baltimore

Supported by a barrage of early home runs, Shawn Boskie gave Baltimore 5-2/3 strong innings in the course of a victory over Toronto that allowed the Orioles to maintain their division lead.

Knowing that New York had won earlier in the day, the Orioles muscled up on Toronto, hitting four home runs in 3-1/3 innings to chase starter Juan Guzman (3-6).

Clearing the bases

Injured Anaheim DH Eddie Murray could be ready to play as soon as next week… . Bobby Higginson, Detroit’s left fielder, took the league lead with 15 outfield assists… .

Chicago’s Robin Ventura, on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Nashville, went 3 for 6 with two homers in a doubleheader vs. Omaha.

… Baltimore designated Pete Incaviglia for assignment, giving the Orioles 10 days to trade or release the 10-year veteran. The team also has the option of asking Incaviglia to accept an assignment to the minors.