American League Roundup : Bobble at First Base Costly to Red Sox; Lead Cut to 5 Games

The heat of a pennant race is no time for sloppy play, but the Boston Red Sox are again having trouble around first base.

During Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, it was first baseman Bill Buckner who let the ball go through his legs, allowing the Mets to go on and win the championship.

Monday night, while trying to maintain their lead in the American League East, it was another Red Sox error at first base that proved costly.

Relief pitcher Dennis Lamp’s inability to handle a throw at first was the key play as the Toronto Blue Jays scored 5 runs--3 unearned--in the seventh inning for a 5-4 victory over Boston.

With Toronto trailing, 3-2, and runners on first and second with two outs, Manny Lee grounded a ball slightly to second baseman Marty Barrett’s left.

First baseman Todd Benzinger ranged too far off the base, and Lamp was unable to catch Barrett’s throw on the run. The tying run scored, and Tony Fernandez followed with a looping 2-run single to right field.

Toronto has won 7 of 8 games against Boston this season.

Three of Boston’s 6 losses during September have resulted from misplays at first base. The Red Sox lost, 3-2, in Oakland Sept. 2 on a wild throw by first baseman Larry Parrish. In Baltimore Sept. 7, Benzinger was unable to catch Barrett’s relay on a double-play grounder as the Orioles scored twice in the ninth for a 4-3 victory.

The Red Sox led Milwaukee by just 5 games, since the Brewers beat the Angels Monday night. The Yankees are 5 1/2 behind.

New York 3, Baltimore 2--Jack Clark hit a 2-run double in the third inning to help the Yankees beat the Orioles and stay alive in the American League East race.

Richard Dotson (11-9) worked 5 innings, and Lee Guetterman pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief in helping the Yankees snap a 3-game losing streak.

Dave Righetti struck out the side in the ninth for his 23rd save.

Cleveland 4, Detroit 3--Cory Snyder hit a 2-run homer in the eighth inning off Mike Henneman, leading the Indians to a 4-3 victory over the Tigers at Detroit.

Detroit, which has lost 21 of its last 27, missed a chance to gain on first-place Boston, which lost to Toronto, 5-4. The Tigers trail the Red Sox by 6 games with 12 left.

Darrell Evans hit his 18th homer of the season and the 399th of his career, which tied him with Al Kaline for 22nd place on the all-time list.

Seattle 4, Kansas City 0--Mark Langston pitched a 4-hitter and struck out 11 as the Mariners beat the Royals at Seattle.

Langston (13-11) has 2 shutouts in his last 4 games. The 28-year-old pitcher walked 4 in his 8th complete game, Seattle’s 10th shutout this season, including 5 in September.

Bo Jackson struck out 4 times, giving him 9 strikeouts in his last 9 at-bats.

Chicago 7, Texas 3--Lance Johnson went 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs, and Bill Long pitched a 5-hitter, leading the White Sox to victory in Texas.

Long (8-11), retired 12 batters in a row at one point.