American League Roundup : McGwire’s Homer Leads Oakland Past Toronto; Canseco Hits Three

Only the Jose Canseco half of the Oakland Athletics’ potent one-two punch has been doing much since their 14-game winning streak ended in May.

But late Sunday afternoon at Toronto, the second half--Mark McGwire--delivered his 14th home run and the A’s won a 9-8, 5-hour, 16-inning marathon to take a 6-game lead in the American League West.

It was a tough struggle even though Canseco hit three home runs to increase his major league-leading total to 23. The last was a two-run shot in the 12th that gave him six runs batted in and Oakland an 8-6 lead. But Tony Fernandez hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning, and it wasn’t until McGwire’s home run in the 16th that everybody could go home.

On May 15 when Canseco and McGwire each hit their 10th home runs of the season, the Athletics were breezing in the West. They led Chicago by 7 games and the World Series champion Minnesota Twins by 10.

That’s when McGwire stopped hitting the long ball. He hit only 3 home runs in 43 games, and the A’s lead over the Twins dwindled to 4 early last week.

Although he still wasn’t hitting home runs, McGwire appeared to be working his way out of a prolonged slump when his hits helped the A’s win the first two games of the series at Toronto.

With the sweep, the A’s have a 32-9 record against Eastern Division rivals. Before Canseco’s home run in the 12th, Don Baylor was hit by a pitch for the 260th time. Gene Nelson ran for him and became the first pitcher since the league went to the designated hitter in 1973 to steal a base. Canseco hit Tom Henke’s next pitch for his 23rd homer.

“I love this park,” Canseco said after hitting a pitch deep into the left-field bleachers during batting practice before the game.

“I got lucky and the ballpark helps,” he said after his feat. “The ball carries extremely well here, basically the opposite of Oakland.

“But what really made me happy was to see Mark hit that homer. On artificial turf my legs and back really start to hurt.”

Rookie Todd Burns gave up just two hits in 4 innings to get his first victory.

Chicago 4, New York 3--It hasn’t been a fun year for Dan Pasqua. First, he was traded by the pennant-contending Yankees to the lowly White Sox. And, he’s been hampered by a knee injury that forces him to wear a heavy brace on his right leg.

So, it was a sweet moment in the 10th inning at Chicago when he came up with the White Sox trailing the Yankees, 3-2, and hit a two-run home run to give Chicago the victory.

The victim was Cecilio Guante, asked to hold the lead after Dave Winfield singled in the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th. It was the fifth time this season Guante has lost on a home run in the last inning.

On the pitch before the game-winner, Pasqua hit a 3-and-2 pitch for what looked like a home run, but it curved just foul down the left-field line. The next pitch went into the upper deck in right.

“It always feels great to do something against your former team,” Pasqua said. “I’ve been waiting for that one all year. It feels fantastic.”

Milwaukee 4, Minnesota 3--The turnaround of the Twins last season that culminated with the victory in the World Series, began with the acquisition of bullpen stalwart Jeff Reardon.

But, even the best of relievers has an off day. Sunday at Milwaukee was definitely an off day for Reardon.

Reardon replaced Keith Atherton (5-3) with two on, one out and the Twins leading, 3-2, in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Darryl Hamilton doubled to drive in the tying run. After getting the second out, Reardon walked Billy Jo Robidoux intentionally to load the bases. Then Reardon walked Dale Sveum to force in the winning run.

Bill Wegman (7-6) went eight innings for the win, and Dan Plesac pitched the ninth for his 17th save.

Kansas City 3, Boston 2--Bo Jackson, in just his second game back, hit his 10th home run of the season at Kansas City, but it was a single by Willie Wilson in the eighth that drove in the winning run.

It was the fourth win in a row for the Royals, who beat Lee Smith (2-3). With the Royals trailing, 2-1, George Brett doubled in the seventh to chase Mike Smithson and bring on Smith. Kevin Seitzer doubled in the tying run.

In the eighth, with two out, Jamie Quirk, Kurt Stillwell and Wilson singled to put the Royals ahead to stay.

Seattle 7, Cleveland 6--Rookie shortstop Mario Diaz drove in three runs, and Mike Schooler choked off a rally in the eighth inning at Cleveland as the Mariners handed the slumping Indians their seventh loss in eight games.

Schooler retired the last five batters, three on strikeouts, after the Indians pulled to within a run with one out in the eighth.

Texas 13, Baltimore 1--Bob Brower hit a grand slam and drove in six runs at Arlington, Tex., to make it easy for Jose Guzman.

Guzman (8-6) gave up five hits in eight innings. The only run was Joe Orsulak’s home run in the eighth inning.

Despite the blowout, the Orioles, after losing 23 series in a row on the road, finally won one, having won the first two games.