Gonzalez Seems Back in Groove: Two More RBIs

Juan Gonzalez is back in his RBI groove.

Gonzalez homered and drove in two runs, giving him a major league-leading 105 RBIs, as the Texas Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays with a 7-4 victory Sunday night at Arlington, Texas.

Gonzalez hit his 27th homer--and first since July 5--in the second inning off Bryan Rekar (0-2). He had an RBI grounder in a five-run fifth.

“I felt good the last couple of games because guys are getting on base ahead of me,” said Gonzalez, who has four RBIs in his last two games after going a season-high nine games without driving in a run.

“I was just more patient tonight and swung at strikes. I’m trying not to feel any pressure and just relax.”

Prior to this sweep, the Rangers had lost five in a row. They lead the Angels by a half-game in the AL West.

Chicago 8, Cleveland 1--Mike Sirotka pitched a four-hitter, slumping Frank Thomas hit a three-run homer and the White Sox took advantage of three Cleveland errors to win at Chicago.

Sirotka (9-9) retired 12 in a row before Kenny Lofton singled with one out in the ninth. He beat the Indians for the third time this season while picking up his first victory since June 23 and his fifth complete game.

Toronto 9, New York 3--Jose Canseco hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and Carlos Delgado hit the first ball into the Toronto SkyDome’s fifth deck in right field.

Canseco’s sixth career slam gave the Blue Jays a 4-1 lead in the third against Andy Pettitte (12-6), who lost for the first time since May 31.

Detroit 3, Boston 1--Damion Easley and Bobby Higginson each hit RBI singles in the eighth inning to give Justin Thompson his second consecutive home victory at Detroit.

Thompson (9-8) struck out 10 in a seven-hitter, his fourth complete game. Boston’s Bret Saberhagen was sharp for seven innings but got his third straight no-decision.

Kansas City 4, Seattle 1--Tim Belcher quieted Seattle’s bats by pitching seven strong innings at Seattle and the Royals stopped the Mariners’ six-game winning streak.

The Mariners lost its No. 1 catcher, Dan Wilson, who severely sprained his left ankle chasing a passed ball in the third inning. His ankle will be immobilized 7-10 days and then re-evaluated.

Ken Griffey Jr. has gone five games without a homer.