American League Roundup : Jack Clark an Instant Hit in His American League Debut With Yankees

Jack Clark was a little late joining the New York Yankees, but when he did, he quickly made a contribution.

The former St. Louis Cardinals slugging star made his American League debut Friday at Milwaukee before 55,887 fans and helped spoil the home opener for the Brewers.

In his first at-bat, Clark, just activated after tearing a tendon in his calf in spring training, singled in the first run of a five-run first inning that enabled the Yankees to breeze to a 7-1 victory.

The Yankees, in their best start in history, have won 9 of 10 and 4 in a row. The big inning made it easy for 44-year-old Tommy John to gain his first victory. He gave up just four hits before needing help in the seventh inning.

The Yankees aren’t just playing well, everything seems to be going their way. For instance, instead of facing Teddy Higuera, the Brewer pitching ace, they went up against Mike Birkbeck. Higuera missed his scheduled start because of lower back spasms.

Birkbeck hadn’t pitched since March 31. He lasted just 1 innings, gave up five hits and six runs, walked three and committed three balks.

The Brewers, who won their first 13 games last season and their first 2 this season, have now lost 7 in a row.

“I missed opening day in Toronto and the opener in New York, so getting a hit in my first at-bat was something special,” Clark said after his bloop single triggered the early rally. “It wasn’t the prettiest, but I’ll take it.”

Manager Tom Trebelhorn, whose pitchers have been called for 11 balks in nine games, said it’s time to do something about it.

“We had four balks and four walks,” he said. “That’s eight extra bases. It’s got to stop.”

Texas 3, Boston 2--When the Red Sox didn’t finish off knuckleball specialist Charlie Hough in the first inning at Boston, it eventually cost them.

Hough, 40, walked three of the first four batters he faced, walked in a run and allowed another to score on a wild pitch as the Sox jumped in front, 2-0.

But that was it. Hough pitched a three-hitter. He caught up in the eighth when Steve Buchele hit his first home run of the season and won it when Buchele hit his second in the 10th inning.

Cleveland 3, Baltimore 2--The winless Orioles lost their 10th game in a row when the Indians came from behind in the eighth inning at Baltimore.

The Orioles led, 2-1, going into the eighth behind Scott McGregor. Joe Carter’s home run tied the score with one out. Ron Kittle doubled, and Brook Jacoby singled home pinch-runner Dave Clark with the winning run.

Rich Yett went seven innings to earn his second victory, and the Indians improved to 9-2.

The Orioles fired Manager Cal Ripken after losing the first 6 and are 0-4 under Frank Robinson.

Only three other teams--all in the American League--have lost 10 or more games at the start of the season. The 1904 Washinngton Senators and the 1920 Detroit Tigers both went 0-13, and the 1968 Chicago White Sox also opened 0-10.

Chicago 11, Oakland 3----Ivan Calderon hit his first home run of the season at Oakland to help the White Sox end a four-game slump.

Calderon, who led the White Sox last year with 28 home runs, connected for a three-run shot off Oakland starter Bob Welch (1-2) in the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie.