American League Roundup : Buechele’s Homer Denies Viola 20th Win as Rangers Defeat Twins, 3-2

Slump-ridden Steve Buechele foiled Frank Viola’s bid to win his 20th game when he hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning Saturday night at Minneapolis as the Texas Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins, 3-2.

Viola (19-5) went into the seventh holding a 2-1 lead, having given up an unearned run in the third on an error by second baseman Tommy Herr.

But Viola walked lead-off hitter Mike Stanley. On the next pitch, Buechele, who had only 5 hits in his last 41 at-bats, hit his 14th home run, a drive over the left-field fence, and the Twins missed another opportunity to gain on the Oakland Athletics. For about the last two weeks, the World Series champions have had a chance to move up and have not taken advantage.

Two weeks ago, the Twins were 7 games behind in the West. Although the Athletics are 8-5 since then , they are now 8 games ahead.

It hasn’t been Viola’s fault. Although he has lost three of his last six decisions, the Twins scored only four runs for him. He had won 22 consecutive games at the Metrodome before losing to Toronto, 4-1, July 27.

In 27 starts this season, Viola has given up more than four earned runs once--in his first start of the season when he allowed six runs in five innings of an 8-0 loss to the New York Yankees. In his five defeats, the Twins have scored six runs.

This was his seventh complete game, and he has gone at least five innings in every start.

“I can’t feel sorry about getting the big hit,” Buechele said. “I’ve helped make his reputation by batting .200 against him. I think he’s the class of the league. I was guessing with him and thinking fastball. He got it out over the plate.”

Texas starter Paul Kilgus (10-11) gave up six hits in 7 innings. Mitch Williams gained his 16th save.

“I haven’t walked too many this year,” Viola said, “but it seems that every time I do walk someone, it comes back to haunt me.”

Boston 7, Oakland 5--Mike Boddicker used an actual game to get in his warmups for Tuesday night’s starting assignment against the Angels.

Boddicker entered the game at Boston with the Red Sox leading 7-4, with two out, the bases loaded and Jose Canseco at bat. Canseco bounced meekly back to Boddicker to end the threat.

Lee Smith, who flew back from Louisiana after his wife gave birth, rescued Boddicker with two out in the seventh and retired seven consecutive batters for his 19th save.

Smith struck out three Athletics. In his last 10 innings, he has struck out 19 batters.

The A’s did spoil the return of Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd. Boyd gave up four runs in 2 innings.

Detroit 2, Chicago 1--Walt Terrell hasn’t been much of a pitcher in other American League parks, but he’s tough at Tiger Stadium.

Terrell (7-10) gave up six hits and an unearned run in 8 innings to improve his record at the stadium to 36-11.

Guillermo Hernandez, who has had consecutive saves since giving an ultimatum to “pitch me or trade me,” retired the last two batters and the Tigers retained their three-game lead in the East.

Dwayne Murphy, a valuable late-season addition, singled in both Detroit runs in the second inning after Luis Salazar sacrificed to set the stage.

White Sox Manager Jim Fregosi has seen his team battle the Tigers all the way the last three nights without winning.

“We’ve stayed in the games,” he said. They (Tigers) catch the ball. They play very sound defense and have good pitching.”

Seattle 9, New York 5--The pesky Mariners continue to cause consternation in New York. They hammered out 16 hits against four pitchers and dropped the struggling Yankees 5 games behind Detroit.

Alvin Davis homered and reached base five times. Former Yankee Jay Buhner, Harold Reynolds and Jim Presley each had three hits in the onslaught.

Mike Campbell, another young Mariner prospect, held the Yankees hitless for five innings and improved his record to 4-8.

Claudell Washington was 4 for 4 for the Yankees, and former Mariner Ken Phelps hit a home run.

Milwaukee 8, Toronto 1--Teddy Higuera, plagued by injuries earlier, is rounding into his best form and, what’s more, he’s getting some support.

In this game at Toronto, Higuera (10-8) pitched a strong eight innings for his third win in a row. Paul Molitor, extending his on-base streak to 24 consecutive games, had three hits, scored a run and drove in two others.

Kansas City 4, Cleveland 2--Former Indian Pat Tabler drove in two runs, including the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth at Cleveland, to end the Indians’ five-game winning streak.

Charlie Leibrandt (8-11), with bullpen help, bested Greg Swindell (13-12).