Rangers Tighten Indians’ Collar, 7-6

The Texas Rangers believe they have nothing else to lose so they might as well play loose and enjoy the rest of the season.

It is a philosophy that would be best duplicated by the reeling Cleveland Indians, who dropped a 7-6 decision Sunday to the Rangers--the sixth loss in seven games for the AL Central leaders.

“You know what they say about the first-place teams playing clubs that are 10, 12 games out,” said Juan Gonzalez, who hit one of the Rangers’ five solo home runs. “They better watch out. Teams that far back can play free and easy and let loose. That’s what we are doing and playing great.”

Warren Newson hit two solo homers and Rusty Greer and Lee Stevens also homered for the Rangers. Brian Giles and David Justice homered for Cleveland.

“It’s frustrating the way things are going,” Giles said. “We’re all struggling. I’m as guilty as anybody. We’re all trying to hit a six-run homer and you can’t do that.”

Giles hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth off John Wetteland. Omar Vizquel followed with a double, but Wetteland struck out Manny Ramirez for his 25th save.

Matt Whiteside (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings.

“This team never lost confidence during the bad times and is still confident now when we are winning,” Texas Manager Johnny Oates said. “The fans and the writers go up and down with each win, each loss. Professional athletes believe in themselves all the way.

“Sometimes the vibes are a little different when you lose, but you know what to do. You have done it before or you would not be in the major leagues.”

Oakland 4-5, Milwaukee 3-9--At Oakland, Brian Banks hit his first career grand slam and had a career-high five RBI and three hits as the Brewers earned a split of a doubleheader.

Jason McDonald, who was promoted to Oakland earlier in the day, hit a two-out double in the ninth as the A’s won the first game.

In the second game, winner Bryce Florie (3-3) pitched five strong innings, allowing two earned runs.

The Athletics had a season-high four-game winning streak ended in the second game. Milwaukee had lost five consecutive road games.

In the first game, Milwaukee tied it at 3-3 in the top of the inning on two-out RBI singles by Jose Valentin and Jeff Cirillo.

Brewer reliever Bob Wickman (6-5) struck out the first two batters in the Oakland half before Rafael Bournigal singled. McDonald, who entered the game as a pinch-runner in the eighth, doubled to score Bournigal.

Billy Taylor (3-4) picked up the win despite recording his sixth blown save of the season, and third in the last four games.

New York 9, Minnesota 6--Chad Curtis hit his first career grand slam at Minneapolis as the Yankees won for the 10th time in 13 games.

Curtis’ third-inning slam off Travis Miller (0-3) gave New York a 7-0 lead. It was New York’s fourth grand slam of the season, and helped push the Yankees to a season-high 21 games over .500.

Kenny Rogers, making his second start since June 15, was replaced by Ramiro Mendoza to start the fourth after complaining of muscle tightness in his back. Ramiro Mendoza (4-4) worked three innings, and Mariano Rivera got the last three outs for his 36th save.

Scott Stahoviak hit a home run for the Twins.

Boston 6, Kansas City 4--Nomar Garciaparra hit a two-run home run in the third inning and doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth at Boston as the Red Sox extended Kevin Appier’s winless streak to eight starts.

Jim Corsi (3-1) pitched two innings for the victory.

Appier, who had won his last six decisions at Fenway Park dating to Aug. 18, 1991, lasted just 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks. Hector Carrasco (1-2) gave up two runs in the eighth inning and took the loss.

Detroit 4, Toronto 2--Orlando Miller hit a pinch-hit, two-run double in the eighth and Justin Thompson pitched his third complete game of the season at Toronto.

Robert Person (5-8) hit Damion Easley to start the eighth, and Phil Nevin followed with a walk. Pinch-hitter Jody Reed added a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position for Miller, who lined reliever Dan Plesac’s first pitch to left. Bob Hamelin added a homer in the ninth.

Thompson (11-8) allowed two runs on eight hits.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Brian Banks

Team: Milwaukee

Performance: 2nd game: 3 for 5, grand slam, double, 5 RBIs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Chad Curtis

Team: New York

Performance: 3 for 5, grand slam, 4 RBIs, 2 runs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: N. Garciaparra

Team: Boston

Performance: 2 for 5, home run, double, 3 RBIs, 2 runs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: David Justice

Team: Cleveland

Performance: 3 for 4, home run, 3 RBIs, 2 runs

Team’s Result: Loss

PITCHING

Player: J. Thompson

Team: Detroit

Performance: 9 innings, 8 hits, 2 runs, 5 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Doug Drabek

Team: Chicago

Performance: 8 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 7 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win