Baseball Roundup : Orioles Alter Formula a Bit, Still Win

Not too long ago, someone suggested to Baltimore Orioles Manager Earl Weaver that his team did not have any chemistry.

“Chemistry?” Weaver said. “I’ll show you chemistry.”

With that Weaver went to a chalkboard and drew a formula: 3RHR + GPG equals W. It stood for three-run homers plus good-pitched games equals wins.

“Now that’s chemistry,” Weaver said.

It has also been the Orioles’ formula for success for many years.

The Orioles didn’t hit any three-run homers Thursday at Oakland, but they did unload three two-run shots, including a pair by Larry Sheets, and they got some outstanding relief pitching from Brad Havens and Don Aase to defeat the Oakland A’s, 8-6.

The victory was the 15th in the last 18 games for the Orioles.

“I really feel good,” said Sheets, who also homered Wednesday. “I’m in a groove and I hope it will continue because it looks like we are going to have to hold our own until Boston and New York begin to lose.”

Havens, in relief of Ken Dixon, did not allow a hit in 4 innings and struck out five to post his second victory against one loss. Don Aase pitched the final two innings for his 12th save.

Chris Codiroli (3-6) took the loss, the fifth in a row for the A’s.

Rookie Jose Canseco hit his 14th home run, a three-run shot, and leads the majors with 44 runs batted in.

New York Yankees 2, Seattle 0--Dennis Rasmussen pitched three-hit ball for 8 innings, and Mike Pagliarulo drove in both Yankee runs with a homer and a double at Seattle as the Yankees won for the ninth time in 11 games. New York has also won nine of its last 10 games against Seattle.

Rasmussen (5-1) combined on a three-hitter with Dave Righetti, who got his 12th save. Rasmussen struck out five and walked two and did not allow a hit after Alvin Davis’ leadoff single in the fourth.

Rasmussen was pulled after walking Davis with two outs in the ninth, and Righetti retired Gorman Thomas to end the game.

Pagliarulo led off the seventh inning with his ninth home run of the season. He is 11 for 31 in his last 8 games with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs.

Philadelphia 5, San Francisco 4--Milt Thompson, batting just .195, singled with two outs in the ninth inning at Philadelphia to drive in Steve Jeltz from third base with the winning run.

Thompson, hitless in his previous four at-bats in the game, hit Greg Minton’s 1-and-0 pitch up the middle to give the Phillies their third straight victory and send the Giants to their third consecutive defeat.