Lansing Doubles Pleasure

Mike Lansing’s second two-run double in two innings capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning that gave the Boston Red Sox an 8-7 victory over the Texas Rangers Thursday night at Boston.

Lansing, whose 15 hits for the Red Sox before Thursday were all singles, didn’t start for the first time in 18 games since he was acquired from Colorado on July 27.

With Boston trailing, 6-2, he pinch hit for Brian Daubach in the eighth inning and doubled in two runs, then scored as Troy O’Leary’s infield single to first was thrown wildly for an error by Rafael Palmeiro.

The score was 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth when Lansing stepped in against John Wetteland with the bases loaded and two out. Lansing lined a 1-and-1 pitch off the left-field wall for Boston’s 18th hit, driving in the decisive runs.

Rich Garces (8-0) gave up one run in one inning on consecutive doubles by Frank Catalanotto and Rusty Greer as the Red Sox remained four games behind the AL East-leading New York Yankees.

On Wednesday night, the Red Sox came from behind with a three-run eighth inning that gave them a 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

Baltimore 5, Chicago 3--Jeff Conine hit a home run to back rookie left-hander John Parrish, and the Orioles took advantage of uncharacteristic wildness by White Sox pitcher James Baldwin at Baltimore.

Baldwin (13-5) tied an American League record by hitting four batters with pitches. The right-hander, who was unbeaten in six starts since July 8, had hit only two batters in 154 innings.

Jerry Hairston, who was hit twice, chased Baldwin with a two-run single in the sixth that put Baltimore ahead, 5-1. Conine led off the inning with his 11th homer, the first since June 29.

Baldwin gave up five runs, eight hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings. He hit two consecutive batters in the third, one in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Parrish (2-1) allowed one run and two hits in 6 2/3 innings in his fifth major league start. He allowed eight walks, but none proved costly.

Tony Graffanino and Jose Valentin homered for the White Sox.

Kansas City 8, Minnesota 4--Royal first baseman David McCarty, who was a bust in Minnesota after the Twins made him their top draft pick in 1991, had his second consecutive big game against his former team at Minneapolis.

Despite three strikeouts, McCarty drove in two runs and scored another one day after hittig a homer and driving in three against the Twins.

Dan Reichert (7-6) scattered seven hits over seven-plus innings for his third consecutive victory, and Mike Sweeney homered and drove in three runs for the Royals.