American League Roundup : Tigers Growl After Losing to Twins Again, 2-1

The first hint of dissension has appeared in the normally tranquil Detroit Tigers clubhouse.

Doyle Alexander expressed irritation Wednesday at having to throw over to first base “four times in a row” just before serving the game-winning, two-run home run to the Minnesota Twins’ Dan Gladden in the seventh inning.

The home run helped Allan Anderson win his fifth straight decision, as the Twins beat the Tigers, 2-1, at Detroit. It was Minnesota’s eighth consecutive victory over Detroit.

“There’s a signal that the catcher gives to the pitcher to throw over,” Alexander said. “I don’t mind throwing over there, but four times in a row? Give me a break. That’s wrong. I disagree with that. All it does is break your rhythm.”

With Detroit ahead, 1-0, on a home run by catcher Mike Heath, the Twins’ Al Newman singled with two out in the seventh to set up Gladden’s homer. But not before Alexander (11-8) threw over to first several times while running the count to 1-and-2, and then more four times at 1-and-2.

“I guess he was concerned about me,” said Newman, who has six steals this season after getting 15 last year. “I was going on the pitch.”

The Tigers are 17-17 since the All-Star break. Detroit’s hitting has diminished, but the club has maintained its composure.

“I don’t even want to hear that stuff,” Detroit Manager Sparky Anderson said. “I don’t have anything to say. I hope people are smart enough to read between the lines.

Oakland 10, Baltimore 4--Jose Canseco hit his major league-leading 32nd homer, Mark McGwire added his 23rd homer and Glenn Hubbard keyed a five-run fifth inning with a two-run double to power the Athletics at Baltimore.

It was the seventh time this season that Canseco and McGwire have homered in the same game. Oakland is unbeaten when they have.

Oakland retained its eight-game lead over Minnesota in the AL West.

The A’s scored all of their fifth-inning runs off Doug Sisk (3-3), who relieved Cordie Dillard. Dillard issued four walks in 2 innings in his first major league start. Oriole pitchers walked 10, tying a season-high.

Oakland starter Curt Young (7-7), scattered nine hits over five innings to collect his fifth straight win over the Orioles.

It was Young’s second consecutive win after he missed nearly a month with arm trouble. He allowed two earned runs. Eric Plunk worked four innings for his fourth save.

Chicago 5, Toronto 1--Catcher Carlton Fisk, celebrating his unofficial record-tying 1,805th game behind the plate, hit two solo home runs to spark the White Sox to victory at Chicago.

According to the Baseball Encyclopedia, Fisk tied the AL record held by Rick Ferrell.

But according to The Sporting News Record Book and the Elias Sports Bureau, which keeps the official baseball records, Ferrell caught 1,806 games.

“It turned out to be an occasion,” Fisk said. “I’m glad we won. I go out and try to do good, but it’s not easy to do good every day. It just worked out that way tonight.”

Fisk’s 12th homer of the season gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the second inning against Jim Clancy (6-13).

Chicago starter Jerry Reuss (9-7), allowed one run on seven hits through seven innings. Steve Rosenberg pitched 1 innings for his first career save.

Cleveland 11, Milwaukee 7--Joe Carter broke out of a home run slump, hitting two solo homers and driving in three runs to lead the Indians to victory at Cleveland.

Carter, whose last home run was July 30, triggered an Indian attack that resulted in Milwaukee pitcher Mark Birkbeck’s first loss in his last seven decisions.

Birkbeck (8-6) was 6-0 since being recalled July 2 from triple-A Denver. He walked five in 4 innings. John Farrell (13-7) pitched 7 innings for the victory.

Kansas City 9, Texas 6--Danny Tartabull doubled, tripled and drove in three runs to lead the Royals at Kansas City, Mo.

Jeff Montgomery (6-2), pitched 2 innings in relief of Floyd Bannister to gain the win. Steve Farr earned his 14th save.

Jose Guzman (10-10), gave up six hits and seven runs in 4 innings.

After the Rangers scored three runs in the fifth to tie the game at 3, the Royals scored four runs in the bottom of the inning. Kurt Stillwell hit an RBI double, Pat Tabler hit a run-scoring single and Tartabull greeted Craig McMurtry with a two-run triple for a 7-3 lead.

Steve Buechele hit a solo homer in the sixth, his 13th, and Pete O’Brien hit a two-run homer in the seventh, his 11th, as Texas closed to 7-6. Jamie Quirk then hit a two-run double in the eighth to clinch the victory.

Boston 7, Seattle 2--Rich Gedman hit a two-run home run at Boston to help the Red Sox draw within two games of the Tigers.

Bruce Hurst (14-4), won his fifth straight decision and is 10-1 at home this season. He allowed eight hits in 5 innings. Bob Stanley followed for 2 innings, and Lee Smith struck out the side in the ninth.

Bill Swift (6-10), gave up six hits and four runs in 1 innings.

Ellis Burks added a solo home run for Boston, which improved its major league-best home mark to 41-20.