The California Angels, who have had their share of misfortune and heartache this season, finally ran into some luck Tuesday night.
Rob Ducey's bases-loaded walk in the 10th inning forced home the game's only run and Chuck Finley and Joe Grahe combined on a six-hit shutout, lifting the Angels to a 1-0 whitewash of the Milwaukee Brewers.The Angels, who have won just three of their last eight, made pitching coach Marcel Lachemann's debut as interim manager a success.
Lachemann is substituting for yet another interim manager, John Wathan, whose father died Tuesday of a brain hemorrhage. Wathan, who was filling in for injured manager Buck Rodgers, will resume managerial duties Saturday.
California starter Finley pitched nine scoreless innings, striking out five and walking three. Grahe pitched the 10th to improve to 4-3.
Angels catcher Ron Tingley threw out five of eight Milwaukee runners.
With one out in the 10th, Lee Stevens hit a slow roller down the third base line by Kevin Seitzer for a double. Loser Jaime Navarro then intentionally walked Von Hayes before being replaced by Mike Fetters. Ken Oberkfell greeted Fetters with a pinch-hit single to left, loading the bases.
Fetters then walked Ducey on four pitches, bringing in Stevens with the winning run.
For Ducey, who was acquired from Toronto July 30, it was his first RBI of the season.
Milwaukee Manager Phil Garner praised Navarro but made no apologies for replacing him with Fetters.
Navarro, 12-8, gave up seven hits over 91/3 innings, the longest outing of his major-league career. The righthander, who struck out five and walked a batter, has dropped just two of his last seven decisions.
Orioles 3, Blue Jays 0
At Toronto, Joe Orsulak went 4 for 4 and Alan Miles combined with two relievers on an eight-hit shutout to move Baltimore within two games of the American League East division-leading Blue Jays. Mills, 8-2, gave up four hits over five innings before giving way to Todd Frohwirth. Gregg Olson recorded his 27th save.
Indians 3, Red Sox 1
At Cleveland, Glenallen Hill and Albert Belle each drove in runs in the first inning and Dave Otto scattered six hits over five innings to earn his first win since June 2, lifting the surging Indians over the Boston. The Indians have won five of their last six games and are 15-10 since the All-Star break.
Tigers 5, Yankees 1
At Detroit, Rico Brogna and Lou Whitaker each hit two-run homers in a five-run second inning and Frank Tanana pitched a five-hitter through 72/3 innings to lead the Tigers over New York. The win was the fifth straight for Detroit. Tanana, 39, earned career victory No. 230. Melido Perez fell to 9-12.
Twins 3, Rangers 2
At Minneapolis, Chuck Knoblauch's two-out drive in the ninth inning brought home the winning run and John Smiley tossed a four-hitter to lift Minnesota over Texas. Kent Hrbek drilled a 433-foot homer in the second inning, his first since July 16, ending a drought that spanned 85 at-bats. Kenny Rogers fell to 1-4. Smiley, 12-6, earned his 18th career complete game.
White Sox 10, Athletics 6
At Oakland, George Bell homered and Tim Raines ripped a two-run triple, his fourth hit, to key a six-run eighth inning for Chicago against Oakland. The A's, who had previously won eight of their last nine, now lead the Minnesota Twins by two games in the AL West.
Royals 9, Mariners 6
At Seattle, Wally Joyner drove in five runs with a three-run homer and two singles to lead Kansas City. Joyner's single tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning and his three-run blast capped a six-run fourth inning. Jeff Montgomery earned his 29th save.