American League Roundup : Better Late Than Never for Indians’ Komminsk

A few years ago Brad Komminsk was regarded as the top prospect in the Atlanta Braves’ organization. He never developed and disappeared into the minor leagues.

Now, at 28, the outfielder finally has blossomed with the Cleveland Indians.

In only his eighth game since returning from virtual oblivion, Komminsk hit his second home run and drove in five runs Friday night at Cleveland to lead the Indians to an 11-5 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Komminsk, in his brief stint with the Indians, has hit home runs to win two games and is eight for 23 (.348), driving in 10 runs.

“I don’t really consider myself a prospect,” Komminsk said. “Maybe I’m a suspect now.”

“He was awesome” as a Brave prospect in 1983, said Cleveland Manager Doc Edwards, who brought Komminsk up from Colorado Springs, the Indians’ triple-A club.

Komminsk hit .334, with 24 home runs and 103 RBIs, at Richmond in ’83.

Friday night, Komminsk, who has played so well in center field that Joe Carter has been moved to left field, hit a two-run homer in the fourth, a sacrifice fly to break a tie in the seventh and a two-run single in the ninth.

“It’s a little too early to get excited,” Komminsk said.

“But I’m sure enjoying what’s happened so far. There’s just nothing like playing in the big leagues.

“I think I’m doing things the same way I did when nothing went right. I’m getting good pitches to hit and I’m waiting for something to handle. That seems to be the big difference.”

Catcher Chad Kreuter, trying to track down Charlie Hough’s knuckleball pitches, had three passed balls for the Rangers.

Kansas City 14-7, New York 5-9--Merely associating with powerful Bo Jackson seems to be making sluggers of the Royals.

Jackson, nursing a painful thigh bruise, missed both games of this doubleheader at New York. But usually light-hitting shortstop Bill Pecota almost made up for it.

Pecota, three for 16 this season going into the games, had only four home runs in 379 at-bats in the majors. But he had two of the Royals’ five home runs in the opener to back Bret Saberhagen (9-4) and hit another home run in the second game.

The Royals led, 8-7, until Jesse Barfield homered with two on and one out in the ninth to give the Yankees a split. The Royals, 12th in the league in hits and runs, got 32 hits and 21 runs in the doubleheader. George Brett went six for nine, scored four runs and drove in four.

“I don’t hit many fly balls, let alone home runs,” said Pecota, who was recalled from the minors Wednesday.

“I guess I was just lucky.”

Seattle 13, Detroit 0--Brian Holman had a no-hitter through five innings at Detroit and finished with a three-hitter as the Mariners handed the Tigers their ninth consecutive loss.

The Mariners, who have won 11 of their last 14 games, had six players get two hits apiece in a 17-hit assault.

Chet Lemon’s infield chopper broke up Holman’s no-hitter to open the sixth. It was the best game ever for Holman, who came to the Mariners in the trade that sent Mark Langston to Montreal.

Toronto 4, Oakland 1--For the second game in a row, the Athletics employed their big guns, but this time Dave Stieb and Duane Ward were too much for them.

Stieb gave up three hits in 6 1/3 innings at Toronto, and Ward finished by striking out four of the last eight for the save.

The middle of the A’s lineup--Jose Canseco, Dave Parker and Mark McGwire--went 0 for 10 as Oakland remained 1 1/2 games behind the Angels in the West.

Boston 5, Minnesota 0--Mike Boddicker pitched a three-hitter, and Nick Esasky hit a two-run home run at Minneapolis as the Twins suffered their eighth consecutive defeat.

The Red Sox have won three in a row and nine of their last 12.

Twin pitcher Frank Viola, a loser to Roger Clemens Thursday night, was ejected by plate umpire John Hirschbeck in the second inning. Sitting in the dugout, Viola argued a call on a pitch.

Chicago 6, Milwaukee 4--Harold Baines, a good hitter, has been a great one against the Brewers.

Baines, batting .397 against Milwaukee, hit a two-run home run and an RBI single to pace the White Sox at Chicago.