American League Roundup : Storm Davis Wins 12th as A’s Defeat Orioles

Storm Davis did not let an emotional homecoming disrupt the hot streak he’s on.

Davis won his seventh consecutive decision as the Oakland Athletics beat the Baltimore Orioles, 6-3, Tuesday night at Baltimore. It was Davis’ first start against the team he pitched for from 1982-86.

“It was strange. I spent all day telling myself I could handle this,” said Davis, who improved his record to 12-4 and did not allow any Orioles to second base until the sixth inning.” . . . It was strange to look over there and see so many new faces wearing the orange and black.”

This marked the first time in six starts Davis gave up more than two earned runs. He has allowed only nine runs in his last 38 innings during that span.

Said Oakland Manager Tony LaRussa. “I’ve seen him (Davis) this excited and ready to pitch before but for a different reason. We’ve put him in some tough matchups in some big series and he’s been this up. . . . I’m sure part of the reason was his return to Baltimore.”

Dennis Eckersley pitched 1 innings for his 34th save. Offensively, Mark McGwire had three hits and two runs batted in and Dave Henderson hit his 18th home run of the season as Oakland won for the sixth time in seven games.

Baltimore’s Eddie Murray hit his 23rd home run. Nineteen of those have come since June 7. No player has hit more during the same span.

Minnesota 4, Detroit 1--Bert Blyleven pitched six shutout innings and Kent Hrbek hit his 22nd home run as the Twins continued their domination over the Tigers with the victory at Detroit.

Minnesota, which eliminated Detroit from the playoffs last year in five games, is 7-1 against the Tigers this season. The Twins have beaten Jack Morris (10-12) four straight times going back to Game 2 of the AL Championship Series.

Kirby Puckett, who drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single, also made a perfect throw from center field to nail Detroit’s Lou Whitaker at the plate. It came with the Twins leading, 2-0, in the fourth, with Whitaker trying to score on Alan Trammell’s single to center. Puckett rifled a perfect throw to catcher Tim Laudner, who held onto the ball despite being bowled over.

“Puckett’s throw was the play of the game,” Twin Manager Tom Kelly said. “It gave us a chance to score some more runs.”

Blyleven (8-11), who had lost his five previous decisions, was making his first start since July 29, when he sprained his right thumb and was put on the disabled list. He allowed four hits and struck out four.

Chicago 5, Toronto 4--Carlton Fisk, who caught his 1,804th American League game to move within one of Rick Ferrell’s record, had a 2-run home run and an RBI single to lead the White Sox to victory at Chicago.

Fisk hit his 11th home run, giving him 315 overall and 295 as a catcher. The latter is 18 behind Yogi Berra’s league mark.

Jack McDowell (5-8) got his first victory since July 6, a span of six starts and two losses. Bobby Thigpen went 2 innings, giving up Ernie Whitt’s sacrifice fly in the ninth, for his 26th save.

Seattle 7, Boston 0--The Red Sox lost for the second straight time at home, which would constitute a tailspin judging by their recent play at Fenway Park. Scott Bankhead scattered nine hits for his first major league shutout and Scott Bradley went 4 for 4.

Bankhead (6-7) walked none and struck out eight in just his second complete game since April 30, 1987. Rey Quinones hit a three-run homer and Bradley ignited a pair of two-run innings with singles against Wes Gardner (5-4).

The Red Sox had recently set an American League record with 24 straight victories at home.

Texas 5, Kansas City 4--Curtis Wilkerson and Scott Fletcher hit two-out triples during a three-run rally in the seventh inning to spark the Ranger win at Kansas City.

Charlie Hough (10-13) gave up six hits in 8 innings for the win. Mitch Williams got the final out for his 15th save.

Cleveland 6, Milwaukee 5--Andy Allanson singled home Willie Upshaw from second base with no outs in the 10th inning at Cleveland as the Indians won for only the fourth time in 16 games.

Scott Bailes (8-11), the fourth Cleveland pitcher, went one inning for the victory.