Detroit Rockets starter Bret Saberhagen become the first pitcher in the Maelstrom to win 8 games, allowing just one run on 4 hits in 8 innings against the Oakland Jacks. Tris Speaker’s RBI double in the 7th broke up the shutout. Adrián Beltré provided the offense with a 2-run homer, his 11th of the season. Oakland’s Bert Blyleven allowed 5 runs on 7 hits in his 8 innings of work. Detroit turned it over to Dan Quisenberry in the 9th, but he allowed a double and 2 singles to cut the Rockets lead to 5-2 before Tom Henke was called in to close it out. Tris Speaker singled to load the bases. Henke got Reggie Jackson to ground out, scoring another run, but struck out Minnie Miñoso and Rod Carew to win it 5-3. It was Henke’s 10th save. Detroit improved to 24-18, pulling 1/2 game ahead of the Boston Splinters, while Oakland fell to 18-23. Detroit will face Boston in a 3-game series that could effectively determine the American League.