American League Roundup : Yankees Give Martin a Gift, Put Wraps on Rader, 6-5

The New York Yankees gave Manager Billy Martin a victory for a birthday present Thursday, and they also put the finishing touches on Doug Rader’s career as manager of the Texas Rangers.

With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium, Dave Winfield, fooled on a pitch by Dave Rozema hit the ball too softly for a double play, and Rickey Henderson dashed home with a 6-5 victory.

Shortly after the Rangers’ sixth consecutive defeat gave them a 9-23 record, worst in the majors, Rader was fired and replaced by New York Mets coach Bobby Valentine.

Rader, 40, was in his third season as Ranger manager. He was under fire almost from the start. There is some consolation. His contract goes through 1987.

“What can I say?” Rader asked. “I certainly can’t say anything original. I am glad I had the opportunity. I’m just sorry I didn’t win.”

Valentine, who began his career in the Dodger organization and later played for the Angels, becomes, at 35, the youngest manager in the majors. He will take over tonight in Chicago where the Rangers open a three-game series. Valentine, after first rejecting the Rangers’ offer, agreed to a three-year contract.

Martin was 57 Thursday and the Yankees are 10-5 since he replaced Yogi Berra as manager. They have won four in a row, all in dramatic fashion. Three of them were won in their last at-bat and the other was won on a grand slam homer in the seventh inning.

“One hit short,” Rader said. “That’s typical of what’s been going on through the whole season.

“We didn’t get the hits in the last two games and the Yankees’ luck has been good. In successive games they hit softies that we couldn’t turn into double plays.”

In his last game as manager, Rader gambled and lost. He walked two batters intentionally to get to Winfield, a dangerous clutch hitter even though he is batting only .244.

Pinch-hitter Ron Hassey singled off Dave Stewart (0-3) to open the ninth. Hassey is 13 for 17 against the Rangers over the last two seasons. Henderson ran for Hassey, took second on Stewart’s balk and third on a sacrifice.

Rader ordered Willie Randolph and Don Mattingly walked and brought Rozema in to pitch to Winfield. Winfield hit the hopper toward short that third baseman Buddy Bell fielded. With no play on Henderson at the plate, Bell got the force at second, but the try for a double play wasn’t even close.

Minnesota 7, Detroit 5--On Monday after giving up a game-winning home run to Don Mattingly of the Yankees, Twins’ reliever Ron Davis was in tears.

But, after striking out three Tigers in the ninth inning in this game at Minneapolis to choke off a four-run rally, he was all smiles.

Usually booed by Metrodome fans, Davis was given a standing ovation by the 22,153 fans after he struck out Lou Whitaker, the league’s leading hitter going into the game, to end it.

A two-run home run by Tom Brunansky keyed a four-run first inning and the Twins for the 16th time in the last 17 games had 10 or more hits. Overlooked lately because of the misfortunes that have befallen the bullpen, the Twins are batting .300. They have scored 120 runs in the last 17 games.

Kansas City 7, Cleveland 1--Willie Wilson hit the 18th home run of his career in this game at Cleveland and it was a significant one. It is the first one the switch-hitting outfielder ever hit out of the playing field batting left-handed.

Of his previous 17, 13 were inside-the-park home runs and the other four were hit batting right-handed.

George Brett also homered in the first inning to help Bud Black to improve his record to 3-3 and pitch his first complete game.

Baltimore 3, Chicago 1--The major leagues’ amazing record of no rainouts this season continues, but finally they had one shortened by rain.

In this game at Chicago, rain forced the umpires to call it after six innings. Shortly before the rain, Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray hit successive doubles to trigger a two-run sixth for the Orioles.

Mike Boddicker held the Sox to four hits.