American League Roundup : Henderson Makes the Red Sox Pay

Rickey Henderson, angry because he was docked for missing Thursday’s doubleheader, took it out on the Red Sox Friday night at Boston, driving in two runs in a six-run sixth inning that led the New York Yankees to a 10-6 victory.

Henderson, who supposedly was told by Yankee player representative Dave Winfield Wednesday that the end of the player strike was “imminent,” was docked three days’ pay by owner George Steinbrenner. That amounts to about $22,000.

Henderson told Steve Marcus of Newsday he was unaware the strike had been settled, and that’s why he went home to Oakland. “If I knew the strike was to be over,” he said, “there was no way I would have left.”

Steinbrenner was quoted as saying that when Henderson rejoined the club, he would find out “who the boss is.”

Even without their leading hitter, the Yankees won Thursday’s doubleheader. Henderson, annoyed over Steinbrenner’s remarks, said: “Whatever George wants to say, that’s his story, man. He’s doing all the talking. I’m here to play baseball.”

The Yankees were trailing, 6-3, Friday night when they erupted. With one out, they had a run in and the bases loaded. On a 3-2 pitch, Henderson singled to right to tie the score. He then stole his 51st base. After an intentional walk to Don Mattingly loaded the bases again, Winfield hit a slow bouncer just under the glove of third baseman Wade Boggs to drive in two runs and give the Yankees the lead for good.

Although Boggs missed the key hit, he tied a major league record by starting four double plays. The double plays slowed a Yankee attack that produced 19 hits but no home runs.

Henderson went 2 for 5. Boggs went 2 for 4 and drove in two Boston runs. In the fight for the batting title, Boggs maintained his lead with a .355 average.

Kansas City 4, Toronto 2--About the only time the Blue Jays lose these days is when their best pitcher, Dave Stieb, is the starter.

With George Brett getting a single and a double, scoring two runs and driving in another at Kansas City, the Royals handed the Eastern Division leaders only their third loss in the last 17 games. Stieb (10-8) lost two of them and was the starting pitcher in the other game they lost.

The Royals, moving within 2 1/2 games of the Angels in the West, received a big lift from Bud Black. Black, their best pitcher last season, has been struggling this year. He came into the game with a 7-11 record and an ERA of 4.12.

But he outpitched Stieb, giving up only six hits in going the distance.

Stieb yielded eight hits in 7 innings. One was Steve Balboni’s 24th home run in the eighth inning.

The Blue Jays’ lead in the East dropped to eight games over the Yankees. It was the first time since July 20 that the Blue Jays have lost when the Yankees won.

Cleveland 4, Detroit 2--The slump of the world champion Tigers continued. They went into the eighth inning at Cleveland with a 2-0 lead behind Jack Morris.

A walk and two singles produced a run for the Indians and brought bullpen ace Willie Hernandez to the rescue. The first thing Hernandez did was pick Brett Butler off second base.

But the next thing Hernandez did was serve a home run ball to Andre Thornton. Pat Tabler hit his next pitch for another home run, and the Indians had a victory.

Morris lost his bid for a no-hitter when Thornton singled with two out in the sixth.

Texas 5, Baltimore 2--Charlie Hough gave up five hits and was within one out of pitching his 10th complete game, but he had to settle for improving his record to 11-11.

Dave Schmidt got the final out for his fifth save.

Gary Ward and Steve Buechele each hit two-run homers to lead the Texas attack.

Milwaukee 8, Chicago 7--Tom Seaver, in his first start since joining the 300-victory club, was no mystery to the Brewers at Chicago. In 4 innings, he was hammered for 10 hits and six runs.

He escaped the loss when the White Sox rallied to tie in the sixth.

However, Robin Yount hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to send in the tie-breaking run and give Rick Waits his second victory in two nights.

Oakland 6, Seattle 3--Don Sutton won his 291st game and the eighth in his last nine decisions in this game at Seattle.

Sutton (11-6) went seven innings, giving up six hits and three runs.

Dwayne Murphy drove in two runs for the A’s with a single and his 16th home run.