American League Roundup : Viola Gives Up Two Homers and Loses His Second Straight, 8-1

The love affair between left-hander Frank Viola and Minnesota Twins fans, which reached a peak in 1987 when he played a major role in making the Twins world champions, has turned colder than the Midwest weather.

It was freezing and snowy in Minneapolis Sunday, and it wasn’t exactly warm in the Metrodome after Viola gave up two home runs to the eager young Baltimore Orioles, who beat the Twins, 8-1.

Viola followed up his two World Series victories by posting a 24-7 record in 1988 and winning the Cy Young Award. He was acclaimed as the best left-hander in baseball.

When he turned down the Twins’ offer of a three-year contract extension of $7.9 million and said he was leaving after this season, he drew criticism even before he lost the opener last Tuesday to the New York Yankees.

The pregame greeting Sunday was warmer, but after giving up a three-run homer to Randy Milligan and a two-run shot to Cal Ripken, the Metrodome shook with boos.

Viola was 14-2 at the Metrodome last season, but is 0-2 already this year. He said he is taking his poor start in stride.

“I thought I threw the ball good today,” said Viola, who wants an extension worth $8.1 million for three years. “All in all, I have to be pleased except for five runs and a loss. I guarantee you this isn’t the end of my season. I’ll be back.”

The Orioles, who lost their first 21 games last season, are now 3-3 after collecting five hits in six innings to back Jeff Ballard’s seven-hitter. Ballard missed a shutout when Kent Hrbek hit his second home run in two games in the seventh.

Milligan’s home run came in the first inning and Ripken’s in the sixth.

Ripken was 0 for 14 prior to the home run, which followed an infield hit by Mike Devereaux with two out. It was Ripken’s second home run of the season and gave Ballard a 5-0 cushion.

“I was conscious of the fact that the Twins like to put big innings together to break open games,” Ballard said. “It was nice to have five runs before they even scored.”

Cleveland 4, New York 3--It was new Manager Dallas Green, not owner George Steinbrenner, who lashed out at the Yankees Saturday night after just the fifth game of the season.

“We stink,” Green said. “I don’t care about injuries. It’s no excuse for playing dumb baseball. We’re trying to hit 10-run home runs when we need a couple of base hits back-to-back.”

What Green didn’t tell his players was what to do with the knuckleball of Tom Candiotti and they lost their fifth in a row since starting the season by beating Frank Viola.

Candiotti baffled them, allowing only fourhits in seven innings, and left with a 4-1 lead. The Yankees scored twice on an error by second baseman Jerry Browne and had the bases loaded in the eighth with one out before Doug Jones shut the door.

Jones, who had 37 saves last season but pitched only five innings all spring because of a pulled rib-cage muscle, put a quick end to the rally to give the Indians their first three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium since 1966.

He struck out pinch-hitter Jamie Quirk, then retired Mike Pagliarulo on a fly to right. He struck out two more in the ninth for his third save.

“I don’t hurt one bit,” Jones said. “I feel completely rested. “I don’t feel like I’ve lost any time. My pitches are all there.”

Once again former Dodger Steve Sax provided much of the Yankee attack. He was two for three and drove in two runs.

Tommy John, the only Yankee winner this season, was the loser. He gave up nine hits in seven innings, but only two of the four runs were earned.

Oakland 4, Chicago 2--As a two-time 20-game winner, Dave Stewart believes it is a good idea to be ready to open the season.

He struck out nine White Sox in 8 1/3 innings at Oakland and stretched his April winning streak to eight games. Last season he was 6-0 in the first month and is 2-0 already this season.

The White Sox hammered Stewart in his early seasons with the Athletics, but they can do nothing with the hard-throwing former Dodger lately.

Stewart, who hasn’t lost to the White Sox since the season finale in 1987, had held them to two runs in 28 innings until he ran into problems in the ninth.

Stewart gave up a single Greg Walker and a double to Carlton Fisk. When Ron Kittle hit a sharp grounder for an out, Manager Tony La Russa, brought the hook.

Sox Manager Jeff Torborg was impressed. “He came right at us with fastballs and got some strikeouts in key spots,” Torborg said.

Boston 8, Kansas City 6--Wade Boggs had four hits at Kansas City and the Red Sox, the last team to win a game this season, finally got a victory.

The Royals jumped in front 4-0, but then four relievers shut them down and the Red Sox pounded out 13 hits and were helped by third baseman Kevin Seitzer’s three errors.

Ellis Burks had two hits for the Red Sox and his three-run double put the Red Sox ahead 6-4 in the seventh.

Texas 3, Toronto 2--Although his Rangers are off to a 4-1 start at Arlington, Tex., Manager Bobby Valentine is not happy with the way the middle of the lineup is hitting.

He felt a little better about it when clean-up hitter Ruben Sierra hit a two-run home run with one out in the ninth off Tom Henke to pull out a win for the Rangers.

“It wasn’t a very good at-bat until the last swing,” Valentine said. “Nobody in the middle of the lineup had hit a home run all spring until that one. It was an exciting way to end a ballgame.”

Sierra’s smash gave Kenny Rogers his first win in the majors. Rogers, appearing in only his second game, pitched one inning.