The Detroit Rockets overcame early inning struggles and Ted Williams’ league-leading 11th homer to top the Boston Splinters 6-5 and overtake them for 1st place in the American League. The Splinters scored 1st against Detroit starter Bret Saberhagen in the 4th on a pair of RBI singles, but Detroit responded with 2 outs in the 5th. Bill Freehan and Lou Whitaker hit back-to-back singles, and Kenny Lofton walked to load the bases. Then Ichiro Suzuki notched his only hit of the game, a single scoring 2 that extended his hitting streak to 20 games. Álex Rodríguez hit another RBI single to give the Rockets the lead. Rickey Henderson hit a 2-out 2-run double in the 6th to take back the lead for the Splinters. With Martinez tiring, Dennis Eckersley struggled again in relief for the Splinters. Rodríguez hit an RBI single to tie the game in the 7th, and Kenny Lofton drove in 2 with a double in the 8th to give the Rockets the lead. Ted Williams hit his homer in the 9th against closer Tom Henke, but Frank Thomas grounded out to end the game, giving Henke his 8th save. The win improved Detroit’s record to 19-14, 1/2 game in front of the 18-14 Splinters. They have now won 4 straight. Saberhagen improved to 6-2.