American League Roundup : Slumping Boston Loses to Andujar, Lead Now 4

When the Boston Red Sox opened a Western trip after the All-Star break, they had a seven-game lead in the American League East and the best road record in the league (26-12).

It could be that by the time they finish the 13-game trip, they may no longer be leading the East.

With Joaquin Andujar pitching another strong game, the A’s beat the slumping Red Sox, 4-2, Tuesday at Oakland. It was the fifth loss in six games on the trip, and the Red Sox lead over the New York Yankees was cut to four games.

Andujar, given a 3-0 lead in the first when Dave Kingman singled in two runs and Carney Lansford doubled in another, made only one mistake, which resulted in Rich Gedman’s two-run home run in the fourth inning.

Andujar (6-2) pitched 7 innings, giving up six hits. It was his second win in a row after being out six weeks with a hamstring injury. The A’s, trying to get out of the cellar, have won seven of their last eight.

Tom Seaver (4-8) pitched well after a shaky first inning, but the Red Sox, with Jim Rice and Tony Armas out with injuries, and Bill Buckner and Wade Boggs playing hurt, could not handle Andujar.

“We’ve got to get healthy,” Manager John McNamara said. “Thank God we have some room. We have some leeway, but you can run out of leeway in a hurry.

“We aren’t hitting, we aren’t putting anything together. What else is there to say?”

The A’s, only one game behind sixth-place Minnesota, have made their spurt without any help from rookie sensation Jose Canseco. Canseco, who is leading the league in RBIs and is tied for the home run lead, is hitless in his last 19 at-bats.

Since Tony LaRussa took over as manager, the A’s are 8-5.

“I’m surprised I went as long as it did,” Andujar said. “When he (LaRussa) came to get me, I was not happy. I wanted to pitch nine innings, but he made the right decision.”

Baltimore 5, Kansas City 4--It was with heavy hearts that the Royals played this game at Baltimore. Shortly before game time, they learned that Manager Dick Houser has a malignant brain tumor.

Nevertheless, the Royals battled all the way. They lost when Cal Ripken hit his 15th home run with two out in the eighth. It was the fourth home run of the game for the Orioles, who moved within seven games of first place in the East.

Rookie Jim Traber had two home runs, and Fred Lynn hit the other, all off starter Bret Saberhagen. Ripken’s came off Bud Black (4-5). Traber, brought up when first baseman Eddie Murray went on the disabled list, has had 14 at-bats in the majors and has three home runs.

Cleveland 8, Chicago 4--The six-run first inning at Cleveland, which made it easy for knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to pick up his sixth win in his last seven decisions, was too much for White Sox Manager Jim Fregosi.

With three of the runs already in, Fregosi and catcher Carlton Fisk were ejected for arguing a ball call by umpire Ken Kaiser. Fisk didn’t last long in his first game after being out 11 days with the flu. During the rally, Chicago shortstop Ozzie Guillen made a throwing error on an infield hit. It was his first error since May 26.

Candiotti gave up eight hits but pitched his league-leading ninth complete game to put the surging Indians just six games out of first.

New York 9, Texas 1--As the Rangers threaten to fade out of the race in the West, the Yankees are threatening to make one in the East.

Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield and Rickey Henderson each had three hits, including home runs, at New York as the Yankees moved to within four games of first.

Dennis Rasmussen improved his record to 12-2 by handing the Rangers their sixth loss in a row, but he left in the seventh inning when he was struck in the leg by a line drive.

Detroit 3, Minnesota 0--Walt Terrell had a no-hitter until Kent Hrbek doubled with two out in the sixth at Detroit. It was the only hit until Terrell (9-8) gave up two hits in the ninth and had to have help from Willie Hernandez.

Bert Blyleven (9-9) pitched well, too, but served up two home runs to Johnny Grubb. Blyleven has thrown 32 home run balls this season.

Seattle 8, Toronto 7--Phil Bradley singled home Spike Owen with two out in the bottom of the 12th as the Mariners won at Seattle.

Jerry Reed (3-0) worked the final two innings for the victory. It was his second win three days, having gone five innings as a starter to earn a decision over the Red Sox on Sunday. Bill Caudill (2-2) got the loss.