American League Roundup : John Pitches Yankees to a 5-1 Win

Tommy John, making his first start of the season, gave up only five hits in seven innings Wednesday night at Chicago to pitch the New York Yankees to a 5-1 victory over the slumping White Sox.

John’s victory probably meant the end for Tony LaRussa as manager of the White Sox, who have lost six in a row.

After the eighth defeat in the last nine games, LaRussa said: “I’m tired of walking into the clubhouse losing. The rest of the stuff I ignore, believe me.”

When the Yankees decided not to put John, 42, on their roster to start the season, they asked him to stay in shape. He did, and when John Montefusco and Ed Whitson were put on the disabled list last week, John was ready.

He made his first appearance last Friday as a relief pitcher, giving up only one hit in 2 innings but walking three during a loss to Texas.

John, given the benefit of Butch Wynegar’s third three-run home run of the year in the second inning, was superb. He gave up a run on a single, an infield out, a steal and a sacrifice fly in the first. He was in complete charge the rest of the way. Dave Righetti pitched the last two innings for his seventh save.

“I suppose I was just about the only person who thought I could still pitch,” John said. “But I stayed in shape, and when the Yankees called, I was ready. I really believe I can still win.

“I threw more changeups than I ever did before. I knew if I got past the second, I would do fine.

John is costing the Yankees only the minimum salary ($60,000). The Angels, who gave up on him last June, are paying the rest of his $500,000 contract. The Yankees figure they already have their money’s worth and they will give him another start in five days.

Cleveland 7, Kansas City 1--Just two years ago, Neal Heaton was the most promising pitcher the Indians had. But as Cleveland jumped off to a fast start, the 26-year-old left-hander felt left out.

He made four appearances and was 0-1 before this seven-hit complete-game performance at Cleveland enabled the Indians to stretch their winning streak to 10 in a row.

“I felt like I wasn’t contributing to the team,” said Heaton, a 17-game loser last season. “I’ve never been so pumped up for a game in my life. The pressure was on me. The streak was going and I hadn’t won yet. I feel better now.”

Texas 2, Detroit 1--Jack Morris of the Tigers, Ricky Wright of the Rangers and his assorted relievers combined for 19 strikeouts at Arlington, Tex., and gave up only nine hits. But one of them was Steve Buechle’s fifth home run of the season. It came in the seventh to break a 1-1 tie and beat Morris (3-4), who went the distance and gave up only four other hits.

Minnesota 5, Baltimore 2--Tom Brunansky hit a 1-2 pitch for one home run and a 3-0 pitch for another at Minneapolis to drive in three runs. Mike Smithson (4-2) gave up nine hits but went the distance.

Oakland 7, Milwaukee 6--Bill Bathe hit his first two major league home runs and drove in three runs at Oakland, and the A’s barely hung on for the victory. Although he lasted only five innings and gave up four runs, Joaquin Andujar (4-1) won his fourth game in a row.

Boston 11, Seattle 5--Bill Buckner hit a three-run homer, and Jim Rice added a two-run shot as the Red Sox pounded out 13 hits at Seattle for their eighth victory in the last 10 games. Seattle’s loss was its 16th in the last 20 games.