American League Roundup : Expanded Roster Gives Twins a Quick Payoff

This is the time of year when teams no longer in contention bring up promising youngsters to make it easier to wait till next year.

It is also the time when pennant contenders bring up anyone who might be of use in a pinch.

The expanded roster helped the Minnesota Twins build their lead to three games in the American League West Friday night.

Billy Beane, a journeyman outfielder in his first major league at-bat of the season, hit a two-out single with the bases loaded in the 12th inning at Minneapolis to give the Twins a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Beane, who came to the Twins last season in the trade that sent Tim Teufel to the New York Mets, played in 80 games with the Twins in 1986, batting just .213. This season, he was with Portland of the Pacific Coast League until Sept. 1, when teams could expand their rosters.

Beane hit the first pitch from Brewer bullpen ace Dan Plesac just out of the reach of shortstop Dale Sveum to ruin another fine performance by Brewer pitchers.

The Brewers gave up just eight hits in sweeping a three-game series with Kansas City this week. And Friday night, Len Barker held the Twins to six hits, one of them Kirby Puckett’s 23rd home run, in eight innings. Beane’s hit was only the 15th given up by the Brewers in the last 39 innings.

Last week, Beane was playing for the worst team in the PCL.

“I think I faced Plesac once last year,” he told the Associated Press. “But I’m not sure. A year with Portland can block out your memory.”

An error by first baseman Greg Brock, a former Dodger, kept Plesac from escaping without facing Beane.

Detroit 11, Texas 2--The Tigers picked up Doyle Alexander to give depth and experience to their pitching staff for the stretch drive. And he has exceeded expectations.

In celebrating his 37th birthday at Arlington, Tex., Alexander improved his record to 4-0 since the Tigers obtained him in a trade with Atlanta last month.

Alexander gave up just four hits in seven innings to enable the Tigers to keep their 1 1/2-game lead in the East.

Charlie Hough, who lost to the Tigers last week when all seven runs he gave up were unearned because of six passed balls, could blame only himself for this one. He walked 5 and gave up 4 hits and 7 runs in 1 innings as his record fell to 14-11.

“I’ve only been here for five starts,” Alexander said, “but this team really scores the runs for me. When you have a seven-run lead to work with, it really makes it easier.”

Toronto 6, Seattle 5--Cecil Fielder made Toronto Manager Jimy Williams look like a genius when he hit a pinch home run leading off the 10th inning at Toronto.

With the score tied, 5-5, Williams sent up left-handed Rick Leach to bat for Kelly Gruber. When Seattle Manager Dick Williams countered with left-hander Dennis Powell, a former Dodger, Fielder was sent to the plate.

“I played against Dennis in winter ball,” Fielder said. “I knew he would come right at me. I don’t think he wanted to put it right down the middle but he did, and I hammered it.”

Boston 5, Cleveland 2--If Roger Clemens (15-8) could face the Indians a few more times, he likely would repeat as Cy Young Award winner.

In this game at Boston, Clemens struck out 10 and gave up 9 hits in 8 innings to run his career record against the Indians to 7-0. Four of the victories have been this season.

Clemens had a shutout until the eighth, when Joe Carter hit his 29th home run.

Baltimore 5, Oakland 2--Mark McGwire hit his 41st home run, but Ray Knight hit a two-run homer at Baltimore, and Mike Boddicker (10-7) pitched his first complete game since July 8.

McGwire’s home run was Oakland’s 173rd this season, a club record.

Kansas City 6, Chicago 2--Melido Perez gave up just six hits in seven innings at Kansas City and his own error led to the only run as he won his major league debut.

Perez, who had never pitched above Double-A, benefited from a 12-hit attack as the Royals ended a four-game losing streak.