American League Roundup : Blue Jays Increase Lead to 2 1/2 in the East

The Toronto Blue Jays, although leading the American League East by 2 1/2 games over the New York Yankees, have a roster full of unknowns.

So, leave it to a no-name on the Blue Jays’ pitching staff, Tom Filer, to throw a one-hitter over seven innings as Toronto defeated the Seattle Mariners, 3-1, Monday night.

The win was Filer’s first as a Blue Jay and also his first major-league victory since July 3, 1982, when he was with the Chicago Cubs. He was called up from the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs when Toronto optioned pitcher Luis Leal to the International League team.

Filer, struck out four and did not walk a batter before being replaced by Jim Acker to start the eighth at Toronto.

After the game Toronto Manager Bobby Cox said Filer would become the club’s fifth starter.

“I never gave up hope, but there was always that doubt,” Filer said. “I was put on the back burner in Chicago, and everyone seemed to pass me by.”

Bill Caudill recorded his first save since June 20 and his 12th this season. He shut the door on the Mariners in the ninth, striking out Gorman Thomas and forcing Al Cowens to fly out.

After Acker replaced Filer, Jim Presley hit his first pitch for his 22nd home run. Gary Lavelle took over after Bob Kearney’s one-out double, and Caudill got the final two outs.

Seattle starter Mark Langston took the loss and lasted four innings in his first appearance since June 7, when he went on the disabled list with a sore left elbow.

Garth Iorg led off the third with a double and scored on a double by Tony Fernandez.

The Blue Jays added two runs in the fifth against reliever Salome Barojas. Pinch-hitter Rance Mulliniks singled with one out and continued to second when center fielder Dave Henderson misplayed the ball for an error. Gary Allenson followed with an RBI single and, after a single by Fernandez, Lloyd Moseby delivered a run-scoring single.

Boston 6, Oakland 4--Wade Boggs extended his hitting streak to 25 games by collecting three hits and drove in two runs to lead the Red Sox over the A’s.

Tim Lollar (4-5), making his first start since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Reid Nichols, pitched the first six innings to earn the victory at Boston. He allowed eight hits and one walk, and struck out six. Mark Clear pitched 2 innings of relief before giving way to Bob Stanley, who earned his ninth save.

Boston broke a 2-2 tie with three runs in the fifth to chase loser Chris Codiroli (8-7). Marty Barrett led off with a ground-rule double and moved to third on Dwight Evans’ bunt single. Boggs followed with a two-run double to make it 4-2. Jim Rice then snapped an 0-for-15 slump with a double to score Boggs. Kansas City 5, New York 4--The Royals got a pair of two-run fifth-inning singles from Willie Wilson and Hal McRae to defeat the Yankees at Kansas City.

George Brett’s 12-game hitting streak was snapped as he went 0 for 3. But, Wilson extended his hitting strike to nine games.

Mike Jones pitched 2 innings in relief of starter Mark Gubicza to even his record at 2-2. Dan Quisenberry pitched the final 1 innings for his 19th save.

Dennis Rasmussen (3-5), who had never lost to the Royals, took the loss.

The Royals sent 10 batters to the plate in the fifth, scoring five runs on five hits to take a 5-3 lead.

Steve Balboni doubled and had to hold at third when Darryl Motley’s bloop double fell in front of center fielder Rickey Henderson. Pinch-hitter Lynn Jones was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Wilson then singled home two runs, and Lonnie Smith hit an RBI single to left to tie the score at 3-3.

Wilson went to third on the hit, and Smith took second on the throw. Rich Bordi, in relief of Rasmussen, walked Brett intentionally to load the bases. McRae foiled the strategy with a single up the middle to score Wilson and Smith.

Doubles by Ken Griffey and Dave Winfield gave New York a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and the Yankees added two more runs in the third.

Chicago 9, Detroit 4--Carlton Fisk hit his major league-leading 26th home run, and Gene Nelson pitched seven shutout innings as the White Sox beat the Tigers at Chicago.

Fisk’s 26th homer, equaling his career high, was an upper-deck shot in the second inning against Randy O’Neal. Fisk has hit eight homers since July 6, and eight of his last 13 hits have been home runs.

Chicago has won six of its last seven games while Detroit has lost seven of nine.

Nelson (6-4), allowed five hits. Reliever Juan Agosto allowed three runs on four hits in the eighth inning and Mike Stanton walked Barbaro Garbey with the bases loaded in the ninth. Jerry Gleaton got the final out for his first save.

Minnesota 5, Baltimore 4-Kent Hrbek’s second-inning grand slam helped the Twins defeat the Orioles at Minnesota.

It was Hrbek’s second grand-slam in four days. He had hit one against the Yankees last Thursday.

Orioles’ Manager Earl Weaver was ejected, marking his first disqualification since his return on June 14.

Mike Smithson (9-7) scattered eight hits over six innings, striking out one and walking two to notch his fourth straight win. Ron Davis recorded his 13th save, going the final 1 innings.

Texas 2, Cleveland 1--Oddibe McDowell’s home run leading off the eighth inning gave the Rangers a win over the Indians at Arlington, Tex. He connected on an 0-1 pitch from Vern Ruhle for his sixth home run of the season.

Greg Harris (3-3) picked up the victory in relief of Chris Welsh, who pitched the first seven innings.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the third when Brett Butler singled, went to third on Julio Franco’s single to right and scored on Pat Tabler’s infield out.