For 7 innings, it looked like David Cone would break his losing streak, and the Boston Splinters’ losing streak would continue. Cone allowed just one run on 5 hits, and the Detroit Rockets took a 3-1 lead into the 8th. After striking out Carlton Fisk, Ichiro Suzuki reached on a base hit, but Nellie Fox grounded into a force play for the 2nd out. Cone walked Wade Boggs, and Frank Thomas laced a single to load the bases. Cone got ahead of Ted Williams in the count, but left one too far over the plate. Williams connected with a deep grand slam to give Boston a 5-3 lead. Eddie Plank pitched a scoreless 8th in his 1st appearance for Boston. Rollie Fingers followed with a perfect 9th for his 10th save of the season. The victory breaks Boston’s 5-game losing streak. Cone has now lost his last 7 starts. Suzuki went 3 for 3 with a walk for Boston. Lou Whitaker went 3 for 4 and drove in 2 runs for Detroit. Gaylord Perry improved to 5-2, allowing 2 earned runs on 6 hits in 7 innings.