Detroit’s Thompson Has Griffey’s Number

When Justin Thompson is on the mound, Ken Griffey Jr. goes from all-star to no-star.

Thompson became the first pitcher to strike out Griffey six consecutive times as the Detroit Tigers ended Seattle’s five-game winning streak Saturday night with a 3-1 victory at Seattle

“Nobody’s had that type of mastery over Junior,” Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said. “He is impressive, a good-looking young pitcher.”

Thompson (6-4), who struck out Griffey three consecutive times in a 4-1 loss to the Mariners last weekend, did it again in Griffey’s first three at-bats.

“I certainly didn’t expect to strike him out six times in a row,” Thompson said. “That’s just the way the dice rolls and I’ll take it. I would’ve been happy just to get him out six times in a row.”

Griffey went down swinging in the first and third innings. Then, just after taking an Alex Rodriguez liner off his left leg in the sixth, Thompson threw a called third strike past Griffey on a 1-2 pitch.

“I approached Griffey the same way I did last week,” Thompson said. “I started him hard and away and showed him the curve for something different, and then went hard and away again. I’m going to keep doing that until he shows me he can hit it.”

Griffey, only two for 11 with one run batted in during the first three games of Seattle’s four-game series at Detroit, left without speaking to reporters.

Tony Clark homered over Tiger Stadium’s right-field roof and Raul Casanova hit a two-run homer for Detroit, which stopped a losing streak at three games.

Chicago 1, Baltimore 0--Harold Baines singled in the winning run in the 11th inning at Chicago, leading the White Sox to their fifth victory in six games.

Randy Myers (1-3) walked Dave Martinez leading off the 11th and a passed ball by Chris Hoiles advanced the runner. Darren Lewis sacrificed, Albert Belle was intentionally walked and moved to second when a Myers pitch got away from Hoiles.

Baines then singled to left, ending the game after 4 hours 19 minutes.

Roberto Hernandez (4-1) pitched out of bases-loaded situations twice. He struck out Roberto Alomar to end the 10th and got Jeff Reboulet to hit into an inning-ending double play in the 11th.

Toronto 3, Oakland 1--Carlos Delgado tied a Blue Jay record by hitting a homer in his fourth consecutive game, and Robert Person got his first AL victory at Toronto.

Delgado, who hit a grand slam Friday night, hit a solo homer for a 2-0 lead in the fourth off Steve Karsay (1-7). George Bell and Joe Carter are the only other Blue Jays to homer in four consecutive games.

Ruben Sierra added a solo homer in the sixth, his third of the season and first since joining the Blue Jays on May 24.

Person and Roger Clemens (11-0) are the only starters to win in Toronto’s last 12 games. Person gave up one run and five hits in 7 2/3 innings, struck out eight and walked one. Paul Quantrill pitched the ninth for his third save.

New York 2, Milwaukee 0--David Wells gave up four hits in eight innings and Charlie Hayes broke a scoreless tie with a seventh-inning double at New York.

Wells (7-3) struck out eight en route to his third consecutive victory. Mariano Rivera worked a perfect ninth for his 18th save as the Yankees improved to 7-3 following a 1-6 home stand.

Scott Karl (2-7) was locked in a scoreless duel with Wells before Cecil Fielder singled with one out in the seventh and Hayes hit a two-out drive over right fielder Jeromy Burnitz’s head to score pinch-runner Andy Fox. Mark Whiten followed with a run-scoring single to make it 2-0.

Cleveland 9, Boston 5--Jim Thome and Dave Justice hit two-run homers at Boston, sending the Red Sox to their seventh loss in eight games.

Matt Williams added a solo homer for the Indians, who have won 12 of their last 18.

Darren Bragg hit a three-run homer, Wilfredo Cordero followed with a solo shot in the fourth, and Jeff Frye added a pinch-hit homer in the eighth for Boston, which has the worst record in the AL at 23-35.

Bartolo Colon (1-2), making his fifth major league start, gave up four runs and eight hits in seven innings.

After squandering a 4-0 lead, Cleveland went ahead again with two runs in the fourth against Aaron Sele (6-5). Sandy Alomar, who tied a major-league record with four doubles Friday, had a run-scoring double, his sixth in three games.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

*--*

Player Team Performance Team’s Result Chili Davis Kansas City 3 for 4 5 RBI, homered from Win both sides of plate Tony Clark Detroit 1 for 3 first homer since May 23 Win

*--*

PITCHING

*--*

Player Team Performance Team’s Result David Wells New York 8 innings 8 innings, 4 hits, Win no runs, 8 strikeouts J. Thompson Detroit 7 innings 5 hits, 1 run Win Jim Pittsley Kansas City 7 innings, 3 runs first major league win Win Wilson Alvarez Chicago 8 innings no runs, 5 strikeouts Win

*--*