The Boston Splinters scored a run in each of the first 4 innings, started by Ted Williams’ AL-leading 12th home run, but it was a 6-run, 3-homer 6th that sunk the Detroit Rockets’ chances of a 7th straight win and a series sweep. Detroit’s Mark McGwire hit a 3-run shot in the bottom of the 1st off Gaylord Perry, but that would be the only runs the Rockets would score until they scored a run in the 8th and 9th off reliever Lefty Grove. By then, the game was all but over. Detroit starter Dave Stieb couldn’t find his groove against the Splinter lineup, but was only down 4-3 heading into the 6th. Harmon Killebrew led off with a home run, and after Rickey Henderson singled, Tony Oliva hit another. Stieb didn’t help himself when he misplayed a dribbler with 2-outs. Cal Ripken Jr. followed with an RBI double, and Carlton Fisk hit the 3rd homer of the inning to finish him off. The 11-5 win improved Boston to 19-16, but they still trail Detroit, now 21-15. Ripken went 3 for 5 and drove in 3 runs in the game. Detroit’s Ichiro Suzuki was 3 for 5 to extend his hitting streak to 23 games.