Yount’s Hit in Ninth Beats Howe, Twins; A’s Rally in Ninth

Robin Yount is considered one of Milwaukee’s leading clutch hitters, but when he singled in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday to beat Minnesota, 3-2, at Milwaukee, it was only his third game-winning hit of the season.

Yount, who leads the Brewers with 15 home runs and is second on the club with 62 runs batted in, said of his game-winning RBI total: “it’s not a stat I concern myself with. It’s a funny stat. It’s something you can get in the first inning. The only stat that means anything is winning.”

The Brewers loaded the bases in the ninth against reliever Steve Howe (1-3) after Twins’ starter Bert Blyleven had battled Milwaukee starter Ray Burris to a 2-2 tie through eight innings.

After Howe gave up a single to Jim Gantner, a walk to Ed Romero and a single to Earnie Riles, he was replaced by Ron Davis. Yount then lined a fastball over the head of right fielder Tom Brunansky to score Gantner with the winning run.

“Davis isn’t my favorite guy to face, but then Blyleven isn’t either,” Yount said.

When he asked what kind of pitch he threw Yount Davis replied, “a base hit.”

Burris (8-9) scattered 11 hits, struck out four batters and walked one en route to his sixth complete game.

Minnesota got a third-inning run when Kirby Puckett singled, stole second, continued to third on catcher Bill Schroeder’s wild throw and scored on Mark Salas’ grounder. The Brewers tied it in the bottom of the third without getting a hit as Gantner walked, stole second, took third on Romero’s foul fly to right and scored on Riles’ sacrifice fly.

Oakland 4, Detroit 3--Steve Henderson’s double off the center field fence and an error by Dave Bergman scored two runs in a wild ninth-inning rally as the A’s scored all of their runs in the final inning to win at Oakland Wednesday.

Donnie Hill led off the ninth against reliever Willie Hernandez with a double, took third on Dave Collins’ single and scored on a single by Mike Heath.

With two on and none out, Steve Kiefer attempted to bunt. After he fouled off a pitch, Dusty Baker pinch-hit for Kiefer and walked to load the bases.

A ground ball to first by Alfredo Griffen scored Collins and forced Baker at second. Henderson then hit for Dwayne Murphy and lined a shot just out of the reach of center fielder Chet Lemon.

Lemon threw to first baseman Bergman as Heath scored the tying run. Bergman, attempting to get Henderson, threw to second, the ball hitting Henderson in the back. Shortstop Alan Trammell picked up the loose ball and threw home too late to get Griffin.