American League Roundup : Clark Gives Candelaria All He Needs as Yankees Win, 4-0

After a typically slow start, Jack Clark has emerged as the New York Yankees’ offensive leader.

Clark, the Yankees’ designated hitter, hit a 415-foot home run in the second inning, and John Candelaria pitched a two-hitter as the Yankees beat the White Sox, 4-0, Saturday at Chicago. It was Candelaria’s second two-hitter this season.

Despite a cut on his pitching hand, Candelaria retired 22 consecutive batters between a first-inning single by Gary Redus and an eighth-inning single by Dave Gallagher. Candelaria, hammered by the Detroit Tigers Monday night, pitched his fifth complete game, struck out 12, walked none and improved his record to 9-4.

The victory enabled the Yankees to stay 2 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the American League East.

While Dave Winfield, Rickey Henderson and Don Mattingly have virtually stopped contributing, Clark has been coming through.

Clark has homered in each of the Yankees’ last three victories and in four of their last five. Although he didn’t hit his first American League home run until the Yankees’ 15th game--he missed the first nine games with a torn tendon in his left calf--Clark is among the league leaders with 17.

Winfield, who drove in 60 runs in the first 69 games, hasn’t had a run batted in in the last nine. Mattingly, who injured his rib cage May 27, isn’t fully recovered. Since returning from the disabled list June 14, Mattingly is 19 for 73.

Henderson has been in and out of the lineup for the past month with a number of injuries. He returned for this game and had three singles.

Clark, who was 2 for 3, singled and scored in the two-run fourth that gave Candelaria some breathing room.

Oakland 11, Toronto 3--Although he’s hitting only .218, Athletic catcher Terry Steinbach resents it when pitchers purposely walk a batter to get to him.

After Mike Flanagan (7-6) intentionally walked Don Baylor in the third inning at Toronto, Steinbach responded with the first grand slam of his career.

“I don’t like it,” Steinbach said. “It’s like they think I’m an easy out. It’s not like it just started today. It’s been that way my whole career.”

Dave Henderson hit a three-run home run and a double, and Mark McGwire had a double and two singles as the Athletics improved their record to 7-0 against the Blue Jays this season.

Cleveland 10, Seattle 7--At Cleveland, the Indians had a late-inning lead for the first time in seven games, and reliever Doug Jones got a chance to pitch.

Although he gave up a run, Jones extended his major league record to 15 consecutive saves. Jones has 19 saves this season.

Minnesota 8, Milwaukee 2--Charlie Lea gave up 8 hits and struck out 7 in 7 innings at Milwaukee to win his fourth in a row. Because of arm problems, Lea (5-3) had not won a major league game since 1984, when he was a 15-game winner for Montreal.

Kent Hrbek hit two home runs and drove in three runs for the Twins. Hrbek has 14 homers this season.

Baltimore 7, Texas 4--Rick Schu hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run fourth inning at Arlington, Tex., that carried the Orioles to their fifth win in eight games.