Pedro MartÃnez nearly pitched his 2nd shutout of the season, allowing a 9th-inning home run to Rafael Palmeiro while scattering 8 hits and striking out 11 as the New York Swats topped the Detroit Rockets 6-1. Cal Ripken Jr. was 2 for 3 with a triple and 3 RBI to lead the Swats. Babe Ruth added his 14th homer of the season, a solo shot in the 7th. Starter David Cone fell to 1-6, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits while striking out 8 in the loss. The Swats are now tied with the Rockets for 2nd place in the American League at 13-16. Both teams trail the Boston Splinters by 8 games.