American League Roundup : Brewers’ Molitor Extends Streak to 31 Games

Since the All-Star break, when Milwaukee Brewer Manager Tom Trebelhorn decided that Paul Molitor should be his designated hitter, Molitor hasn’t let Trebelhorn down. He’s had a hit in every game.

Molitor hit a double just inside the right-field line in the third inning Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 31 games as the Brewers beat the Baltimore Orioles, 6-2, at Baltimore.

Nobody has had a longer hitting streak since Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds set the modern National League record by hitting safely in 44 consecutive games in 1978. Ken Landreaux, now with the Dodgers, hit in 31 in a row for the Minnesota Twins in 1980.

Molitor, who became the designated hitter July 16 because a shoulder injury made it difficult for him to play third base, began the streak modestly with a double against the Angels. He is 53 for 129 during the streak for a .411 average.

He still needs to hit safely in 25 more games to tie the remarkable record of 56 straight set by Joe DiMaggio in 1941.

“I’ve always respected DiMaggio’s record more than any other in sports,” Molitor said. “Getting this far and having so far yet to go, has given me a greater perspective and greater respect for what he accomplished.

“My 31 doesn’t have any significance.”

Glenn Braggs’ infield hit drove in the tie-breaking run in the eighth, and he drove in two more with a double in the ninth.

Minnesota 5, Seattle 1--Frank Viola has established himself as the ace of the Twins’ staff and a contender for the Cy Young Award.

The 6-foot 4-inch left-hander held the Mariners to four hits and an unearned run in eight innings at Minneapolis to win his third in a row and improve his record to 14-7.

Viola, who has won 13 of his last 16 decisions, gave up a hit to open the ninth. Jeff Reardon replaced Viola and finished off the Mariners.

“Maybe I’ll think about the Cy Young at season’s end,” Viola said, “but right now, I’m only interested in contributing to a division title.

“I had my curve and changeup working well today, and I’m not afraid to throw those pitches on a 3-and-2 count.”

Mariner Manager Dick Williams praised the 27-year-old Viola.

“He’s a good pitcher,” he said. “We didn’t get a good hit until Gary Matthews singled in the ninth.”

Cleveland 1, New York 0--The Yankees dropped three games behind Toronto in the East, fueling speculation that owner George Steinbrenner may soon fire Manager Lou Piniella.

Cory Snyder doubled in an unearned run in the eighth inning for the only score of the game at New York. The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning, but Doug Jones, in relief of Rich Yett (2-5), worked out of the jam by striking out Gary Ward and getting Don Mattingly to fly out.

“We just can’t put it all together,” losing pitcher Ron Guidry (3-7) said. “In the last two games, we outscore them 11-3 and only get a split.”

Shortstop Bobby Meacham fumbled Brook Jacoby’s grounder to start the Cleveland eighth.

Toronto 6, Chicago 4--Lloyd Moseby hit a two-run home run in the seventh to break a 4-4 tie, but he preferred to talk about his baserunning adventures in the third inning of the game at Toronto.

Moseby singled to open the third. On a hit-and-run single by Ernie Whitt, Moseby was decoyed into believing Whitt’s hit was a fly ball, and he made a hasty retreat to first. But outfielder Ken Williams made a bad throw to first, and Moseby finally made it to second base.

“It was like a trip to the Land of Oz,” Moseby said. “I just tried to follow the yellow-brick road.”

Tom Henke pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three, to earn his league-leading 27th save and keep the Blue Jays in first.

Detroit 10, Kansas City 6--Alan Trammell doubled home Lou Whitaker with the tie-breaking run in the seventh inning at Kansas City and ignited a five-run rally that enabled the Tigers to stay within a half-game of first place.

Trammell, who has had the game-winning hit in the last two games, also had a triple and a single, and Whitaker had 3 doubles to pace a 15-hit attack.

Boston 12, Texas 2--Rookie catcher John Marzano, a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team, hit two home runs and a double at Boston to help Bob Stanley end a five-game losing streak.

Marzano, called up from the minors July 31 after Rich Gedman was sidelined for the season, drove in four runs.

Wade Boggs went 4 for 5 to improve his average to .371.