clarinews@clarinet.com (BOB KEIM, UPI Sports Writer) (09/21/89)
CLEVELAND (UPI) -- Tony Phillips hit a bases-loaded triple to highlight a five-run sixth inning Wednesday night that propelled the Oakland Athletics to their third straight victory, an 8-6 decision over the Cleveland Indians. The A's, who swept the series with the Indians after losing all three games in Boston last weekend, began the night with a 2 1-2 game lead over California in the American League West. The Indians have lost six straight. Winner Storm Davis, 18-7, pitched five innings, giving up two earned runs with a walk and four strikeouts. Dennis Eckerlsey pitched the ninth for his 30th save. Oakland left-fielder Rickey Henderson led off the game with a home run for the 40th time in his career and stole four bases to increase his major league-leading total to 73. Henderson, who leads the majors in bases on balls, also drew two walks to match his career-high of 117. Cleveland starter Greg Swindell, 13-6, lost his fourth straight decision and has not won since July 20. Trailing 3-2, the A's erupted for five runs in the sixth. Swindell walked Henderson, who stole second and third. Carney Lansford also walked Henderson scored on Jose Canseco's sacrifice fly. Lansford scored on Mark McGwire's single. Dave Henderson singled and Dave Parker walked to load the bases. Phillips greeted reliever Ken Olin with a triple down the right-field line for a 7-3 lead. Canseco's sacrifice fly in the seventh scored Rickey Henderson, who had walked and stole second and third, giving Oakland an 8-3 lead. Cleveland scored three unearned runs in the seventh to trail 8-6. With one out and a man on first, shorstop Mike Gallego dropped what looked to be a double-play grounder by pinch-hitter Mark Higgins. After a walk to Jerry Browne loaded the bases, Joe Carter drove in two runs with a single and another run scored on Joey Belle's single. Cleveland took a 3-2 lead when Browne scored an unearned run on Carter's sacrifice fly in the fifth. The Indians tied the scored 2-2 in the fourth when Carter doubled and later scored on Pete O'Brien's double to right. Cleveland had cut the Oakland lead to 2-1 in the third on Browne's RBI single. The A's went ahead 1-0 when Henderson led off the game with his 12th homer. Dave Henderson made it 2-0 in the second when he singled, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on Parker's base hit. Oakland won the season series 10-2, including all six games in Cleveland.