AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Canseco Has Grand Day at Toronto

It is an unusual season for Jose Canseco. His goals of winning the pennant and playing in the World Series nearly are out of reach.

There is a goal remaining, the major league home run title, and the Oakland slugger made giant steps toward it Sunday at Toronto.

Canseco hit two home runs, including a grand slam, to lead the Athletics to a 10-5 victory and slow the Blue Jays’ drive to the pennant in the American League East.

In addition to pulling within one of Cecil Fielder with 41 home runs, Canseco had his first six-run RBI game. It was his third grand slam and his second in the SkyDome.

With Minnesota losing the A’s kept their slim hopes alive in the West. But they trail by 10 games and only have 18 to play.

The SkyDome has been a favorite spot for Canseco. In the three-game series he was seven for 13, including three home runs, and drove in 10 runs.

This is the second time Canseco has passed the 40-home run mark. He had 42 in 1988.

Although he gave up a run after Canseco’s slam, Dennis Eckersley picked up his 40th save. It is the third time in the last four years he has had at least 40 saves. He is the first pitcher to accomplish the feat.

“The first one I hit pretty good, a good line drive,” Canseco said. “The second one, I thought it had no chance, warning track at best.

“My first homer might have gone out in Oakland, but the second one would have been an easy out. I lose about 15 homers a season playing in Oakland.”

After Canseco’s grand slam, Jim Acker hit the next batter, Jeff Blankenship, a .224 hitter, and was ejected.

Milwaukee 5, Detroit 3--Cecil Fielder hit his 42nd home run, but Bill Wegman (12-7), with ninth-inning help from Doug Henry, settled down to deal the Tigers a bitter defeat at Milwaukee.

Instead of moving closer to Toronto, the Tigers, remained 5 1/2 games left and only have 19 games remaining.

While he is in a battle with Canseco for home run honors, Fielder leads the Oakland slugger in runs batted in, 123-111.

Texas 4, Minnesota 2--Jose Guzman held the Twins to four hits in six innings at Arlington and improved his record to 12-5.

Ruben Sierra extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a tie-breaking double in the fifth inning.

Seattle 14, Kansas City 7--Alvin Davis went four for four, including a home run and drove in four runs to lead the Mariners’ romp at Kansas City.

Baltimore 4, Cleveland 3--Sam Horn hit his fifth home run in the last eight games to help the Orioles complete their first winning home stand of the season (6-4).