American League Roundup : Blue Jays Rally to Defeat Red Sox

The Blue Jays, who averaged more than five runs per game last season, don’t get excited when they fall behind early. They have confidence in their ability to score runs.

However, their confidence was tested Friday at Toronto when they gave up five runs in the second inning to the Boston Red Sox.

They were facing Bob Stanley, who had handcuffed them just a few days ago.

But with the help of rookie designated hitter Fred McGriff, who hit his first major league home run, the Blue Jays stormed back for a 10-5 victory.

While the Blue Jays were hammering Stanley for 10 hits and 7 runs in 5 innings, John Cerutti and Mark Eichhorn each pitched four scoreless innings of relief.

With the Blue Jays trailing, 5-4, and two runners on in the fifth, the left-handed swinging McGriff hit Stanley’s first pitch into the left-field bleachers, and the Blue Jays were breezing.

“About time,” said McGriff, who had not had a run batted in until his home run. “It had to come sooner or later. It’s nice that it came in a situation that could help the team win.

“I faced him (Stanley) a couple other times with men on base, and he always started me out with a strike. I figured he’d try and do it again and I was looking for it.”

Although the Red Sox made three errors back of Stanley, the veteran right-hander accepted the blame. Last Sunday, he held the heavy-hitting Blue Jays to two runs in eight innings.

“There were some errors out there,” Stanley said, “but most of the blame is on me. It was because of the way I made my pitches and the kinds of pitches I made.”

Detroit 3, Chicago 1--When Jack Morris reported to Tiger Stadium, he had a stiff neck and couldn’t pitch. The way Frank Tanana pitched in his place, the Tigers didn’t need their ace.

Tanana held the White Sox to four hits and an unearned run to improve his record to 2-0. Tanana, in a nearly flawless performance, struck out six and walked only one.

The Tigers gave Tanana all the support he needed in the first inning, scoring three times. Matt Nokes singled in a run in the rally and scored another.

Morris’ neck problem may cause him to miss the entire weekend series.

Baltimore 4, Cleveland 1--Mike Boddicker and Mark Williamson combined on a five-hitter at Baltimore, and the Orioles extended the Indians’ losing streak to seven games.

Boddicker, who had lost seven in a row dating back to last season, gave up the 5 hits in 7 innings and struck out 7 for the victory.

Fred Lynn drove in two runs for the Orioles, who had lost three in a row. It was a double by hot-hitting Ray Knight and a single by Terry Kennedy in the fourth that put Baltimore ahead for good.

The slumping Indians also lost second baseman Tony Bernazard. He had to leave the game after hurting his ankle in the third inning.

Seattle 4, Oakland 2--An error by center fielder Stan Javier on a game-tying single by Harold Reynolds in the seventh inning allowed the winning run to score at Seattle.

Mark Langston (1-2) pitched his first complete game of the season and struck out 11 for the Mariners.