American League Roundup : Higuera Beats Tigers, but Shutout String Ends

Ted Higuera missed his bid for a fourth consecutive shutout, but the left-hander kept the Brewers’ slim pennant hopes alive when he pitched them to a six-hit 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers Friday night at Milwaukee.

Higuera, who had allowed just six hits in pitching three shutouts, lost his shutout when Tom Brookens hit a homer with two out in the fifth. Higuera, whose scoreless streak ended at 32 innings, was trailing, 2-1, going into the eighth.

The Brewers, scoring four runs in the eighth to drop the Tigers into a tie with Toronto for first place in the East, moved within six games of first place.

Paul Molitor singled home the tying run in the eighth, former Dodger Greg Brock drew a walk with the bases loaded to force in the go-ahead run and B. J. Surhoff climaxed the rally with a two-run single.

With a 16-9 record, including five victories in a row, and 12 complete games, Higuera is becoming a strong candidate for the Cy Young Award.

In his three shutouts, Higuera gave up three hits in 10 innings, then pitched a near no-hitter in which the only hit was a bloop double with two out in the eighth. His last start was a two-hitter against Minnesota.

The Tigers have had trouble against all left-handers, so facing the hottest figured to be difficult. Although they are 66-30 against right-handers, the Tigers are 18-26 against left-handers.

“You feel a little extra pressure for a key game,” said Higuera, who has won 11 of his last 12 decisions. “I was thinking about the scoreless innings, but the main reason I was out there was to win. I just didn’t feel as confident as I did when I pitched the three shutouts.”

The Tigers received a big effort from Nate Snell, who gave up a double to Mike Felder leading off the eighth and left with the 2-1 lead.

Willie Hernandez, veteran reliever, walked Brock to force in the winning run.

Toronto 6, New York 5--Ernie Whitt singled to score Willie Upshaw from second base with two out in the 10th inning at Toronto, putting the Blue Jays in a tie for first place with Detroit.

The Blue Jays built a 5-3 lead going into the eighth, but Don Mattingly hit a two-run home run to send the game into extra innings. It was Mattingly’s 25th home run.

Upshaw opened the 10th with a single off Dave Righetti (7-4), and stole second as Garth Iorg struck out. Whitt lined a single between first and second and Upshaw easily beat Dave Winfield’s throw home.

The Yankees, their pennant hopes fading, are six games back of the leaders and only half game ahead of Milwaukee.

The Yankees are without Ron Guidry, out with tenderness in his shoulder and elbow. The veteran left-hander will not pitch in the series.

“It’s just inflamed muscles,” Guidry said, “but I needed a few days off.”

Minnesota 13, Cleveland 10--The Twins, easily the worst road team in the West, were living up to their billing through four innings at Cleveland. Two home runs by Mel Hall had helped the Indians to a 7-1 lead.

But, for a change, the Twins fought back. They still trailed, 10-7, in the ninth, but scored three times to send the game into extra innings.

In the 10th, Dan Gladden became the 18th player used by Manager Tom Kelly and he responded with a three-run home run to give the Twins the victory and a 27-43 record on the road.

It may have been the biggest win of the season for the Twins. With the Oakland A’s losing, their lead in the West stretched to 3 1/2 games.

“This was a good win, because it gets us off on the right foot on the trip,” said Gladden after hitting his sixth home run. “Coming from six runs down is a big lift to a club.”

Kansas City 9, Oakland 0--Bret Saberhagen pitched a five-hitter at Oakland for only his second victory since the All-Star game.

At the break, Saberhagen, pitching better than anyone in the league, was 15-3. This victory, which kept the Royals 5 1/2 games behind Minnesota in the West, improved his record to 17-8.

Frank White was a key for the Royals on offense and defense. He tripled and doubled, scoring two runs and driving in another. The shapr fielding second baseman made a dazzling back-hand stop of Alfredo Griffin’s smash in the fifth inning, threw him out at first and preserved the shutout.

Saberhagen struck out three, walked two and pitched his 13th complete game and fourth shutout. He is second in the league in both categories.

Boston 9, Baltimore 3--Rookie Todd Benzinger hit his third home run in four games and had two singles at Boston to lead the Red Sox.

Chicago 5, Seattle 1--Carlton Fisk drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double to break a 1-1 tie at Seattle.

Jose DeLeon (9-12) gave up five hits and struck out seven in 7 innings to get the victory.