Rangers Move Closer to West Title

In less than 90 hours, the Texas Rangers went from a team desperately clinging to a lead in the AL West to a club savoring its run toward the franchise’s first division title.

Mickey Tettleton hit a two-run homer and Dean Palmer added a two-run single as the Rangers increased their lead in the AL West to three games and reduced their magic number to four with a 7-3 victory Tuesday over the Athletics at Oakland.

While the Mariners will have to play again today against the Angels before heading to Oakland for four games, the Rangers have a day off and then a four-game series at home against the Angels starting Thursday.

“We’re in control now. We’re going back home,” Palmer said. “I think everyone’s relieved to come out of this road trip. Everyone’s just looking forward to getting back home and relaxing a bit.”

Tettleton’s 24th homer of the season broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth. Palmer’s two-run single came in a three-run fifth. Rusty Greer added a run-scoring double in the sixth. Juan Gonzalez had singled in a run in the first.

Dennis Cook (5-2), the third of five pitchers, got six consecutive outs--including three strikeouts--for the win.

Cleveland 7, Minnesota 5--Albert Belle singled, doubled and hit his 47th home run as the Indians won their 97th game with a victory at Cleveland.

Belle’s three-run blast in the third gave the Indians a 4-3 lead and increased his runs batted in total to 146. Belle, who had three hits, is batting .420 (21 for 50) in his last 12 games.

Chad Ogea (10-5) went six innings for the victory. He gave up four runs on seven hits in his competition with Jack McDowell for Cleveland’s third starter spot in the playoffs.

Julian Tavarez pitched the seventh and Eric Plunk worked the eighth.

Chicago 3, Kansas City 2--Ray Durham hit a two-out, run-scoring single in the ninth inning, capping a three-run rally that gave the White Sox a win at Chicago.

With one out, Dave Martinez doubled and scored on Frank Thomas’ single off Tim Belcher (14-11). Robin Ventura tied the game with a double, scoring pinch-runner Norberto Martin.

After Harold Baines walked, Mike Cameron ran for Baines and Danny Tartabull fouled out. Durham then singled to score Ventura with the winning run.

Toronto 4, Detroit 1--Pat Hentgen pitched eight strong innings at Detroit for his 19th victory as the Blue Jays handed the Tigers their club-record 105th loss.

Hentgen (19-10), pitching on three days’ rest, beat Detroit for the third time this season. He gave up one run on seven hits, struck out 10 and walked two.