Royals Lose Appier and Game

The biggest hit for Texas Monday night came in the first inning. That’s when Rusty Greer’s two-out liner hit Kansas City starter Kevin Appier’s right knee and knocked him out of the game.

“Any time you knock a pitcher like Appier out, it’s big,” Ranger Manager Johnny Oates said.

It took until the ninth for the Rangers to get ahead, with Greer providing a go-ahead double as Texas rallied to beat the Royals, 7-6, at Alrington, Texas.

“We snatched that one,” Oates said. “We got behind and we were flat. It was one of those games where you ask yourself, ‘Did we really win it?’ because it didn’t seem like we were with it today.”

Appier didn’t appear to be seriously hurt. He was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which were negative, and the Royals said he is not expected to miss his next start.

“You always hate to see anyone leave under those circumstances,” Greer said. With Kansas City leading, 6-4, in the eighth, Mark McLemore singled off Jeff Montgomery (0-2), who blew a save for the second time in 10 chances. Ivan Rodriguez walked, Will Clark hit RBI single, Mickey Tettleton struck out and Greer doubled off the center-field wall, his third hit of the game.

Dennis Cook (2-0) allowed two hits in four innings of shutout relief. Mike Henneman pitched a hitless ninth for his 10th save, helping Texas win for the ninth time in 12 games. The Rangers outhit Kansas City, 15-10.

Milwaukee 6, Chicago 2--Dave Nilsson hit his first homer of the season and knuckleballer Steve Sparks snapped out of a three-start slump as the Brewers beat the White Sox at Milwaukee.

Sparks was in danger of losing his spot in the rotation and maybe even on the roster earlier this month after he gave up nine homers and 23 earned runs over three starts. He was pushed back from his last scheduled start on Saturday after a rainout and used the extra time to work on his mechanics.

Starting on nine days’ rest, Sparks (2-4) gave up two earned runs and seven hits in seven innings, leaving after Frank Thomas’ leadoff homer in the eighth.

Marshall Boze pitched 1 2/3 innings for his first career save.

Nilsson, activated from the disabled on Thursday, homered in the second off rookie James Baldwin (3-1).

Baltimore 4, Oakland 3--Rick Krivda, a late replacement for ailing David Wells, allowed one run and four hits in six innings and the Orioles held on to defeat the Athletics at Oakland.

Krivda (1-0), promoted from the minors last week, struck out five and was helped by three double plays. The only run he allowed scored on Brent Gates’ bloop single in the third.

Wells was scratched from the start because a case of gout was causing severe swelling in his right big toe.

Randy Myers gave up two singles in the ninth but got pinch hitter George Williams on a grounder to short for his ninth save.

The Orioles scored all four of their runs in the first off Doug Johns (3-4).