Owning the American League's worst record didn't stop the Oakland Athletics from partying.
The A's ended their second-longest losing streak since moving to the West Coast in 1968 with an 8-1 home victory Sunday over the New York Yankees."This is the first time we've had music in a long time," Troy Neel said above the pounding beat of rock music in the A's clubhouse. "When I came in, I asked where the champagne was. I was waiting for somebody to pop one."
The A's had been waiting since April 17 for their eighth win of 1994. And to think it was just two years ago the A's were spraying champagne for something much more significant, their fourth division flag in five years.
But even with Sunday's win that halted their longest losing streak since a 14-game slide from July 29-Aug. 12, 1977, the A's are still bringing up the rear in the AL West - baseball's weakest division.
"We're just glad it clicked today," said Neel, who drove in four runs.
Bobby Witt allowed one run over 72/3 innings in his best outing of the year and Geronimo Berroa had three RBIs for Oakland.
"The longer we went without a win the heavier the anvil was on everybody's back, so I can't say how pleased we all are to get this streak over with," Oakland manager Tony La Russa said. "Now you can look at it that we're 1-0 for May, so we'll take a day off and come back out Tuesday (against Baltimore)."
Witt (2-2), who pitched out of trouble in the sixth inning by striking out the side after giving up consecutive singles, took a shutout into the eighth before Paul O'Neill hit a run-scoring double with two outs.
Melido Perez (2-2) allowed five runs and eight hits in 52/3 innings. Perez walked three and struck out three as the Yankees were denied their first series sweep in Oakland since 1979.
Tigers 8, White Sox 5
At Detroit, Kirk Gibson hit a three-run homer out of Tiger Stadium off Jack McDowell (1-4) in the third inning. Gibson's towering shot hit the right-field roof and bounced over to give Detroit a 6-1 lead.
It was the 26th time a ball has been hit out of Tiger Stadium and the third time Gibson has done it.
McDowell, the American League Cy Young Award winner last season, allowed six runs and seven hits in three innings.
Rangers 5, Indians 4
At Cleveland, Will Clark's sacrifice fly capped a two-run ninth as the Indians' bullpen blew a save for the eighth time in 16 chances this year.
Cris Carpenter (1-0) got five outs, including a double play, for the win. Tom Henke recorded his fourth save.
The Indians took a 4-3 lead into the ninth before Derek Liliquist, Jose Mesa (3-1) and Brian Barnes gave up two runs.
Twins 7, Blue Jays 3
At Minneapolis, Scott Leius hit a key homer for the second straight game, this time a three-run shot to cap a four-run seventh inning.
Carl Willis (1-1) allowed two runs in three innings in relief.
Royals 6, Brewers 2, 1st game
Royals 7, Brewers 3, 2nd game
At Kansas City, Mo., Mark Gubicza and David Cone pitched the Royals to the sweep.
Gubicza (1-2) won for the first time as a starter since June 19, 1992, giving up seven hits and three runs in five innings. He received home run support from Mike Macfarlane and Wally Joyner.
In the opener, Cone (4-1) won his fourth straight start and Gary Gaetti and Felix Jose each had two RBIs.
Ted Higuera (1-2) lost to the Royals for the first time.
Mariners 6, Orioles 0
At Seattle, Ken Griffey Jr.'s two-run home run helped Chris Bosio to his first win of the season.
Eric Anthony went 4-for-5 with a run scored for the Mariners, who have won six of their last eight games.
Red Sox 10, Angels 1
At Anaheim, Calif., Billy Hatcher singled home a run to ignite a seven-run third inning, and later capped the outburst with a two-run single.
Joe Hesketh (1-1) limited California to five hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked one as the Red Sox posted their ninth straight win over the Angels, dating back to last season.