American League Roundup : Swindell Defeats Ryan, Rangers to Improve to 12-2

Greg Swindell of the Cleveland Indians thought that he proved he was a good pitcher last season when he won 10 of his first 11 decisions. But when he lost his next eight decisions, there were a number of doubters.

The 24-year-old left-hander set out this season to remove all doubts. He may have done just that.

Swindell outpitched Nolan Ryan and improved his record to 12-2 as the Indians beat the Texas Rangers, 7-1, Saturday night in Cleveland. Swindell gave up five hits and struck out 10.

Ryan (10-5) had poor control, walking a season-high six batters in 5 1/3 innings. The 42-year-old right-hander also gave up seven runs and seven hits, while striking out seven.

Said Swindell: “This has to top off the greatest week of my career. I pitched in the All-Star game and beat the best (Ryan). I was watching him just like the spectators were. When you watch someone when you’re growing up, then get to face him, it’s something special.”

Both pitchers had just three days’ rest after helping the American League win the All-Star game.

“I don’t think that had anything to do with it, but this was the worst stuff I’ve had all season, “ Ryan said.

Cleveland’s Joe Carter drove in four runs with a pair of two-run doubles. He also had a triple.

Kansas City 7, New York 1--Chuck Cary, caught in a traffic jam, ran the last half-mile to Yankee Stadium and arrived just in time to start the game for the Yankees.

Cary, a 6-foot-4 left-hander, allowed just two hits but left with the score tied, 1-1, after seven innings.

Yankee reliever Lee Guetterman (2-2) came on in the eighth and gave up a three-run home run to Danny Tartabull. George Brett, who is 8 for 13 in the last three games, hit a two-run homer in the ninth off Bob Davidson.

Luis Aquino pitched a five-hitter for his first victory since May 13.

The Royals’ Bo Jackson, bothered by a thigh injury, did not play.

Minnesota 3, Boston 2--Gary Gaetti hit an opposite-field home run in the eighth inning at Minneapolis as the Twins ended an eight-game losing streak.

With the score 2-2 in the sixth inning, Red Sox left-hander Joe Price came in to pitch against left-handed-hitting Jim Dwyer. On the first pitch, Dwyer argued the call and was ejected. Right-handed hitting Carmen Castillo replaced Dwyer.

When the umpires wouldn’t allow Boston Manager Joe Morgan to replace Price with a right-hander, Morgan filed a protest.

Morgan said there is a rule that says if a pinch-hitter is replaced during an at-bat, a manager may change pitchers.

The umpires maintained that the rule Morgan referred to did not apply until the pitcher had faced one batter.

Jeff Reardon earned the save, the 250th of his career.

Seattle 9, Detroit 3--The Mariners and the Tigers continue their dashes in the opposite direction at Detroit. Scott Bankhead won his seventh consecutive game as the Tigers lost their 10th in a row and the Mariners won their fifth straight.

The Mariners, who had 16 hits, have had 33 hits in the last two games.

Chicago 2, Milwaukee 1--Russ Morman, inserted into the lineup when Ivan Calderon was injured just before the game at Chicago, doubled home the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning.

Melido Perez (6-10) and Bobby Thigpen combined on a six-hitter for Chicago’s third win in a row.

Toronto 6, Oakland 1--Fred McGriff went four for four and hit his 21st home run as the Blue Jays beat Dave Stewart (13-5) and the Athletics at Toronto.

It was the sixth win in the last seven games for the Blue Jays.

Jose Canseco hit his second home run in three games for the Athletics, who remained 1 1/2 games out of first place in the AL West.