American League Roundup : Baylor Proves That Steinbrenner Doesn’t Know His Right From Left

Midway through last season, owner George Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees concluded that Don Baylor could no longer hit right-handed pitching. Late this spring, he decided Baylor couldn’t help the Yankees, at all.

Steinbrenner--and not for the first time--is being proven wrong. The Boston Red Sox are the beneficiaries.

Baylor, after an extremely slow start, has started bombing left-handers, right-handers and even knuckleballers, and the Red Sox are sizzling.

Baylor, rookie Ray Quinones and Bill Buckner hit home runs Wednesday night at Boston to lead the Red Sox to a 6-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians. It was the fifth win in a row and the ninth in their last 10 games for the leaders of the East.

They have won 14 of 16 since Baylor started his hitting spree May 18. At that time, he was batting .206 and had just five home runs.

In the last 16 games, he is 21 for 60, has hit 8 home runs and has driven in 21 runs.

“I would like to know just how many home runs I’ve hit off right-handers,” Baylor said after reaching ancient knuckleballer Phil Niekro for his 13th homer of the season--the 12th against a right-hander. “He (Steinbrenner) made that statement without looking at the facts.

“They (the Yankees) just wanted me to pinch-hit and bat against left-handers. I said good luck, I’ll go somewhere I can play regularly. I wanted to be traded and I ended up here, playing half the games in one of my favorite parks.

“I’m swinging the bat and having some fun on this club. I got off to a slow start, but I knew it would be only a matter of time.

“It is really enjoyable playing on this team. It’s almost unheard of nowadays for a team to be playing over .700 after 50 games (36-15, .706). Defense and pitching have been the keys so far. But the offense is coming around and it’ll be there when needed.”

Rookie Rob Woodward gave up 3 runs and 10 hits in 6 innings, but the slugging Red Sox enabled him to even his record at 1-1.

Kansas City 8, Milwaukee 6--Hal McRae and Steve Balboni played long ball at Milwaukee, and the Royals pulled above .500.

McRae had a double and a two-run home run, and Balboni had a double and a solo home run. Balboni’s last eight hits have been for extra bases.

Dennis Leonard improved his record to 6-4 while pitching what he called the worst game of his comeback. Leonard was chased before he retired a batter in the sixth, giving up eight hits and four runs.

The Royals went into the ninth with an 8-4 lead, but two hits and two errors put the Brewers into a position to tie with one out.

Dan Quisenberry, who has been a bullpen bust most of this season, got the last two batters for only his fourth save.

George Brett had three hits and drove in two runs for the Royals.

Detroit 8, Oakland 5--Darnell Coles said he isn’t trying to hit the long ball, but maybe that’s why he’s doing it. In this game at Oakland, Coles had two doubles and his ninth home run and drove in three runs to help the Tigers end a five-game losing streak.

Jose Canseco of the A’s hit his 16th home run in the first inning and drove in three runs to reach 50 in 53 games.

Texas 5, Chicago 2--Perhaps, rookies Pete Incaviglia and Ruben Sierra didn’t realize it was the great Tom Seaver they were knocking around at Chicago.

Incaviglia hit a two-run home run, his 10th homer of the season,in the third inning to provide the winning margin. Sierra hit his second in the second inning.

Seaver, just off the disabled list, gave up seven hits in 4 innings in his first appearance since a stiff shoulder put him out May 17.

Minnesota 10, Toronto 4--Last Friday, Dave Stieb pitched a four-hit shutout for his first victory after six defeats. Wednesday night at Toronto, Stieb wasn’t even a good batting practice pitcher.

Tom Brunansky and Roy Smalley each hit two home runs, and the Twins bombed Stieb for 10 hits and 8 runs in 6 innings.

“I think, because of all his defeats,” Smalley said, “he’s lost his confidence. I hit two homers on inside fastballs. Usually, that’s his best pitch.”

Jim Reid also homered off Stieb.

Seattle 5, Baltimore 1--Alvin Davis and John Moses hit home runs for the Mariners at Baltimore, but little Spike Owen was a real pest.

The diminutive shortstop was 4 for 4 and drove in two runs to help Mike Moore improve his record to 3-6. Moore went the distance, pitching a seven-hitter to end his three-game losing streak.

Loser Ken Dixon has given up 16 home runs in 57 innings.