AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Orioles Stage Another Big Rally

The Orioles rallied from a six-run deficit for the second time in four games Friday night at Baltimore, beating the New York Yankees, 7-6, when John Habyan walked Chris Hoiles with the bases loaded in the 10th inning.

The comeback provided Baltimore with its fifth consecutive victory, its 10th in a row at home and its 18th in the last 21 games overall.

“I don’t think there’s anything magical about it,� Manager Johnny Oates said. “The way we’ve been playing the past three weeks, you’ve got to believe that we’ve got a pretty good baseball team here.�

Pinch-hitter Damon Buford opened the 10th with a double against Steve Howe (2-3), and Harold Reynolds was intentionally walked. Mark McLemore sacrificed the runners up, and Cal Ripken Jr. was walked intentionally.

Habyan relieved and struck out Mike Devereaux, then walked Hoiles on four pitches to cap the Orioles’ latest big rally. On Tuesday night, Baltimore rallied from a 7-1 deficit to beat the Detroit Tigers, 12-9.

“I’ve never been involved in two comebacks this close together,� McLemore said. “We’ve been lucky, yeah, but most of all we’re just playing good baseball right now.�

Todd Frohwirth (4-4) pitched the 10th for Baltimore, which moved a season-high six games over .500 and within four games of Toronto and Detroit in the AL East.

Jim Abbott, returning from a 15-day stint on the disabled list, gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings.

Seattle 3, Chicago 2--Ken Griffey Jr. hit his sixth homer in as many games and extended his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games, leading the Mariners at Chicago.

Griffey went one for four and is hitting .456 with seven homers during his streak.

Tim Leary (6-3) gave up two runs in 7 1/3 innings to win his third successive start. Norm Charlton pitched the ninth for his 14th save.

Wilson Alvarez (7-3) gave up three runs and seven hits in 8 1/3 innings, walking four and striking out four.

Boston 8, Detroit 2--Billy Hatcher homered and drove in four runs and the Red Sox won their fourth in a row at Boston.

The Tigers managed only six hits in losing their fourth consecutive game for the first time this season.

Danny Darwin (6-7) gave up three singles and a double in seven innings, and Greg Harris pitched the final two innings for the save.

The Tigers, trailing, 3-1, in the eighth, scored once and had the bases full with one out, but Cecil Fielder hit into an inning-ending double play. The Red Sox made it a rout with five insurance runs in their half of the inning.

Cleveland 6, Kansas City 1--Paul Sorrento hit a grand slam against Tom Gordon in the eighth inning to break open a close game and lift the Indians at Cleveland.

The Indians led, 2-1, entering the eighth and loaded the bases against Mark Gubicza (0-6) on a single and two walks. Sorrento greeted Gordon with his 13th home run, the Indians’ first grand slam of the season and the first of Sorrento’s career.

Four Cleveland pitchers limited the Royals to four hits in sending them to their ninth loss in 14 games.

Dennis Cook (4-4) got the win with two scoreless innings, giving up one hit. Gubicza lost his eighth consecutive decision dating to June 19 of last year.

Milwaukee 6, Toronto 5--Dickie Thon hit a run-scoring single with two out in the bottom of the ninth at Milwaukee.

The Brewers, who rallied for four runs in the eighth to tie the score, won it in the ninth against Danny Cox (5-3). Darryl Hamilton doubled with two out and Greg Vaughn walked before Thon lined a 3-2 pitch over shortstop.

Mike Fetters (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory.

Toronto starter Dave Stewart gave up only four hits over seven innings and left leading, 5-1, but the Blue Jays’ bullpen fell apart in the eighth.