American League Roundup : Boyd Missing as Red Sox Defeat Rangers, 8-4

This has been a frustrating seasonfor the Boston Red Sox. After being picked to win the American League East by some baseball prognosticators, Boston is three games below .500 and trails the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by 15 1/2 games in the American League East.

The Red Sox snapped a six-game losing streak Thursday night as they defeated the Texas Rangers, 8-4.

But the frustration of the season has gotten to pitcher Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd. He was absent when the game began at Fenway Park, less than 24 hours after an altercation with teammate Jim Rice.

Red Sox Manager John McNamara left the field during batting practice Thursday night to take a call in his office from Boyd’s agent, Dennis Coleman.

Coleman reportedly told McNamara that Boyd was on his way. However, Boyd did not show up, and his whereabouts were unknown.

“I’ll have to talk to the young man and our front office before deciding on what action to take,” McNamara said. “There is the possibility of a fine.”

Wednesday night, McNamara had a security guard usher Boyd to his car after the pitcher’s 5-3 loss to Texas.

Rice would not comment on the incident.

Boyd had complained bitterly in the clubhouse over the Red Sox’s failure “to get me any runs.”

Rice, the Red Sox’s captain and one of the strongest men in baseball, tried to silence Boyd, saying, “I respect you and I want you to respect me.”

When the 145-pound pitcher continued to sound off, Rice shoved him. Boyd wanted to retaliate but was restrained by Coach Rene Lachemann and others. Boyd was led into McNamara’s office and then to the parking lot.

In the Red Sox win Thursday night, rookie right-hander Mike Trujillo, starting because of injuries on the staff, responded with his best major league effort. He allowed two runs on three hits in eight innings.

“My control was pretty good,” Trujillo said. “I was happy with the way I was able to spot the ball. I moved my fastball around and kept them off balance pretty much with my breaking pitches.”

The Red Sox, winning for just the second time in the last 13 decisions, scored four runs in the third off Dickie Noles, (4-7).

Kansas City 7, Chicago 3-- Steve Balboni’s two-run homer and Willie Wilson’s two-run triple led a sixth-inning rally for the Royals at Chicago.

The Royals trail the Angels by 1 1/2 games.

Danny Jackson (12-7) pitched 7 innings for the victory, and Dan Quisenberry finished up for his league-leading 30th save.

The victory gave second-place Kansas City a 22-10 record since the All-Star break.

Willie Wilson returned to the Royal lineup after being hit in the neck by a throw while trying to steal second base Tuesday night. He had three hits, two of them triples.

Detroit 5, Oakland 3--Darrell Evans hit his 28th home run of the season on the first pitch of the 13th inning, and Lance Parrish added a run-scoring single, driving in Lou Whitaker, who had walked to wrap it up for the Tigers.

Evans homered off Keith Atherton (4-5), the A’s fourth pitcher of the game.

Bill Scherrer (2-1) go the victory with two innings of shutout relief and Chuck Cary worked the 13th for the save in his major league debut.

Frank Tanana, Detroit’ starter, struck out 11 batters and allowed only one earned run in eight innings. Aurelio Lopez got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the ninth after walking three batters.

Tommy John shut out the Tigers for five innings and held a 3-0 lead. He left the game after Parrish opened the sixth with a hone run, his 19th, and Barbaro Garbey singled.

Seattle 4, Baltimore 0-- Matt Young pitched a five-hit shutout, and Phil Bradley drove in three runs with a homer and double to lead the Mariners at Seattle.

Young (8-14) broke a six-game losing streak that went back to June 25. He struck out seven and walked three.

Bradley hit a two-run homer in the third inning off loser Scott McGregor (10-11). Bradley’s 18th home run followed a single by Jack Perconte.