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AL: Red-hot Thomas propels Chisox

Associated Press
Published May 21, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS - As usual, Frank Thomas had nothing to say to reporters after the game.

His swings are making the big statements, anyway.

Thomas had a season-high four hits, including a three-run homer, and Esteban Loaiza snapped a three-start losing streak to lead the Chicago White Sox over the Twins 10-3 Thursday night.

Thomas finished a triple shy of the cycle. He homered in a six-run second inning for the White Sox, who opened the four-game series against their division rivals with their third straight win and fourth in five games.

"He's hitting the ball well," Loaiza said. "I think everybody's hitting the ball well."

The Big Hurt also had a huge day in Cleveland on Wednesday, reaching base five times and driving in a season-high five in a 15-3 victory over the Indians.

Paul Konerko added two homers, one off reliever Terry Mulholland in the seventh and another off Grant Balfour in the ninth. Jose Valentin was the only Chicago starter who didn't have at least one hit as the White Sox roughed up starter Seth Greisinger and moved within a game of the first-place Twins.

Konerko stopped short of saying the win sent a message to the reigning Central champs.

"Not when you play guys so many times," he said. "It's just one win. It's definitely better than losing but we still haven't won the series yet."

Loaiza pitched seven innings, allowing nine hits and three runs. His last victory was April 29 against Toronto. The White Sox had scored a combined six in Loaiza's past three starts.

"Hopefully, we just come back tomorrow and get some more runs like we did today," Loaiza said.

YANKEES 6, ANGELS 2: Mike Mussina pitched effectively into the eighth and visiting New York got home runs from Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter.

Mussina won his fourth consecutive start, holding West-leading Anaheim to one run and seven hits through 72/3 innings. He kept the Angels off balance with a nasty breaking ball.

The right-hander struck out six and walked none. He has walked three during his winning streak, spanning 282/3 innings.

A'S 3, TIGERS 2: Erubiel Durazo scored on Eric Munson's throwing error in the eighth after reaching base on another miscue, lifting host Oakland.

Durazo reached on a fielding error by first baseman Carlos Pena, went to second on Damian Miller's sacrifice, advanced to third on Mark McLemore's groundout and scored when Munson dived to stop pinch-hitter Billy McMillon's sharp grounder but threw the ball wide of first.

Tim Hudson (5-1) allowed two runs and eight hits over eight innings to improve to 13-1 during day games over his last 19 such starts.

RANGERS 6, ROYALS 3: Rod Barajas had a three-run double and Hank Blalock hit a two-run homer in a five-run second, and host Texas snapped a three-game losing streak. Kevin Mench also homered for the Rangers, who had lost four of five. Texas starter Kenny Rogers allowed three runs and 10 hits over 62/3 innings.

MARINERS 11, ORIOLES 0: Ichiro Suzuki homered and drove in three and Jamie Moyer pitched seven shutout innings for his first win since April 17 for host Seattle.

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