Sikorski’s Debut a Winner

Instead of making his scheduled start in triple A Wednesday night, Brian Sikorski beat the New York Yankees.

Sikorski pitched into the eighth inning of his major league debut, giving up only four hits and no runs as the Texas Rangers ended their 10-game losing streak to the Yankees with a 5-0 victory Wednesday night at Arlington, Texas.

“Sometimes you wonder if it is ever going to happen. I was in the right spot at the right time, I guess, and it worked out for me,� said Sikorski, who has played professionally since 1995. “It was something you dream about as a kid, and all of a sudden you find yourself out there on the mound.�

Ranger center fielder Gabe Kapler was unable to extend his 28-game hitting streak. He was 0 for 4, ending the longest hitting streak in the majors this season.

“Something like this, even if you are having a good time with it, it takes a toll on you,� Kapler said. “I sat in my chair today before the game, and I was really tired, really mentally tired.

“But I’m not one of those guys to say I’m glad it’s over because I would have liked it to go on.�

Oakland 7, Cleveland 6--Terrence Long’s two-run double capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth at Oakland, giving the Athletics three-game sweep of the Indians.

Kansas City 9, Minnesota 3--Dave McCarty broke a 13 at-bat hitless streak by going three for four with three runs batted in as the Royals ended a seven-game losing streak at Minneapolis.

Chicago 7, Baltimore 3--Frank Thomas hit his American League-high 37th homer and Jim Parque finally got his 10th victory as the White Sox beat Mike Mussina at Baltimore.

Boston 4, Tampa Bay 3--The Red Sox broke out of an offensive slump when Carl Everett’s two-run single highlighted a three-run rally in the seventh inning at Boston.

For the third consecutive game, the Red Sox failed to score in the first five innings. But they got to relievers Paul Wilson (0-2) and Doug Creek after Ryan Rupe left the game with a 2-1 lead after six innings.

Detroit 12, Seattle 8--Juan Encarnacion and Deivi Cruz hit two-run homers as the Tigers completed a three-game sweep at Seattle.

The Mariners, who before the game held their first closed-door meeting since the first day of spring training, lost their season-worst fifth in a row.