American League Roundup : It Hasn’t Been the Best of Seasons for Jackson

Ever since he tore a hamstring May 31, it has been a tough season for Bo Jackson. Now that the versatile athlete is physically healthy again, he is struggling at the plate.

Some people say he has his mind on football and is thinking about when he’ll join the Raiders.

Well, his mind was on baseball Friday night at Kansas City, where he hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning to spoil Frank Viola’s bid to become the first 20-game winner in the majors.

Jackson’s 21st homer climaxed a four-run uprising that gave the Royals’ Charlie Leibrandt a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins and Viola (19-6).

It was the second time that the Twins’ brilliant left-hander has been thwarted in his bid for No. 20. There isn’t another major leaguer with more than 18 victories, so Viola will get at least one more chance to be first to get 20.

It’s been frustrating for Jackson, who got off to a fine start. After 46 games, he was batting .309 and had 9 home runs, 30 runs batted in and 14 stolen bases.

He has played 47 games since recovering from the injury. Although he’s hit 12 homers and driven in 27 runs, he was batting just .193.

“I am just not hitting the way I was, except for the occasional long ball,” Jackson said. “It takes a home run like this to keep my spirits up. But physically, I feel fine.”

Viola also blew a chance to become the earliest 20-game winner in Twin history. Jim Kaat won his 20th on Aug. 27, 1966.

“Charlie (Leibrandt) had a bad inning, and Frank had a bad inning,” Manager Tom Kelly of the Twins said. “He (Viola) gave us a chance to win. I think (George) Brett hit the first pitch (for his hit in the fourth) and (Danny) Tartabull hit one up the middle.

“Then Bo hit one out. I think they beat him fair and square. No doubt about it.”

The last 4 hits for Jackson and 8 of his last 18 have been home runs.

Leibrandt, who gave up a run in the first and two more in the fifth, is 6-1 since July 2.

Texas 5, Toronto 1--Paul Kilgus is another who flirted with fame. For 6 innings at Arlington, Tex., he pitched a perfect game.

Lloyd Moseby ended his bid with a bloop single to right in the seventh.

When the Blue Jays finally pushed a run over in the ninth, and sent Kilgus to the showers, they had only two hits.

Mitch Williams came in to retire the Blue Jays with the bases loaded for his 17th save.

Kilgus (11-11), a second-year left-hander, threw a one-hitter May 21.

Oddibe McDowell hit a home run for the Rangers in the fifth. It was his first since May 22. The first six Rangers in the batting order each had two hits.

Detroit 3, Milwaukee 2--Shortstop Dale Sveum’s wild throw with two out in the 12th inning at Milwaukee enabled Tom Brookens to score from third base for the Tigers.

Brookens opened the inning with a double and was sacrificed to third. Chris Bosio, who did not give up an earned run in 5 innings of relief, fanned Pat Sheridan before Sveum committed his 25th error.

Boston 5, Seattle 3--The Red Sox, trailing the Tigers by two games in the East, began the long trip West on a happy note. Oil Can Boyd (9-7) pitched a strong six innings, retiring the last 11 batters and giving up only two hits.

Wade Boggs and Marty Barrett each drove in two runs for the Red Sox. Todd Benzinger hit his 13th home run to start the scoring in the second inning.

Oakland 8, Baltimore 5--The Athletics continued to play long ball against the Orioles at Oakland and stretched their lead in the West to seven games over Minnesota.

Dave Henderson and Jose Canseco each hit a home run, double and single to lead the assault.

In 10 games against the Orioles, the A’s have hit 14 home runs.

Cleveland 7, Chicago 6--Joe Carter homered, but it was Julio Franco’s run-scoring single in the sixth inning at Chicago that carried the Indians to victory.

Greg Swindell (14-12) lasted 6 innings to win it.