American League Roundup : Athletics Keep Red Sox Out of First-Place Tie

Mark McGwire’s 26th home run, a two-run drive in the sixth inning, gave Bob Welch and the Oakland Athletics a 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox Monday night at Oakland, denying the Red Sox a chance to move into a first-place tie with the Detroit Tigers in the American League East.

Welch (15-7) pitched six-hit ball for 8 innings in his first appearance against the Red Sox, and Dennis Eckersley finished for his major league-leading 36th save, tying Bill Caudill’s team record set in 1984.

With their 82nd victory of the year, the West-leading Athletics assured themselves of their first winning season since 1981. They have won 15 of their last 18 home games.

The score was 1-1 when Dave Parker singled with one out in the sixth and McGwire homered to left.

Chicago 3, Detroit 2--Carlton Fisk and Kenny Williams each hit solo home runs to power the White Sox at Chicago.

Steve Searcy, starting because Jeff Robinson was placed on the disabled list, allowed both homers in losing his major league debut. The left-hander was called up earlier in the day from triple-A Toledo. He allowed 5 hits, struck out 5 and walked 3 in 7 innings.

Bill Long (6-9) yielded 7 hits, struck out 4 and walked 2 in 7 innings to get the win. Bobby Thigpen went 1 innings for his 28th save, closing out Detroit’s third straight loss and sixth in its last seven games.

Minnesota 3, Texas 2--With the exception of about five minutes in the second inning, the Twins were baffled by Jeff Russell. Those five minutes, however, were enough to give the Twins what they needed to win at Arlington, Tex.

Two-out singles in the second inning from Brian Harper, Randy Bush, Greg Gagne, Al Newman and John Moses provided the Twins with all their runs to break a three-game losing streak.

Russell (10-6) allowed eight hits in his fourth complete game this season and the 34th for the Rangers. That is one fewer than Texas’ total the last two seasons combined.

Toronto 6, Milwaukee 1--George Bell hit his second home run in as many days, and Jim Clancy won for the third time in four decisions to lead the Blue Jays at Milwaukee.

Bell’s three-run homer in the sixth inning inning put Toronto ahead, 4-0.

Kansas City 6, Cleveland 3--Danny Tartabull’s two-run homer capped a four-run eighth inning at Kansas City that gave the Royals’ their fourth straight victory.

Bret Saberhagen (13-13) gave up 11 hits over 8 innings in gaining the victory.

Seattle 9, New York 6--Darnell Coles hit a three-run homer, and Mark Langston and two relievers combined on a six-hitter at Seattle to continue the Yankees’ slide.

Yankee pitchers have surrendered 41 runs and 69 hits over the past four games, all losses. Scott Nielsen (2-1) took the loss as New York remained 5 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the East.