Detroit starter David Cone held the Boston Splinters to 5 hits as the Rockets won a close game to increase their lead in the American League. Boston’s Jim Palmer became the latest pitcher that struggled against the Detroit offense. The Rockets had runners in scoring position in each of the first 4 innings, scoring a run in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings. Cone kept the Splinters scoreless until the 5th when Harmon Killebrew hit a 2-run shot. A Dick Allen error allowed the tying run to score in the 6th, but Bobby Veach hit an RBI double in the 7th for Detroit to retake the lead. Palmer allowed 14 hits and 4 runs over 7 innings. Luis Tiant and Dan Quisenberry held Boston scoreless in the 8th and 9th. It was Quisenberry’s 1st save and dropped his ERA to 0.55. The win gives Detroit a 2 1/2 game lead over Boston in the American League. Ichiro Suzuki singled in the 3rd to extend his hitting streak to 22 games. Bill Freehan was 4 for 4 in the win.