American League Roundup : Orioles Stay on the High Road, Beat Yankees

The last time the Baltimore Orioles went on the road, they were flying high in the American League East. But they won only one of 14 games and put most of the division back in the title race.

After Jeff Ballard pitched the Orioles to a 3-1 victory over the Yankees Friday night, in three games the Orioles had won more often on this trip than they did on the 14-game trip.

Ballard improved to 14-6, but he needed bullpen ace Gregg Olson to get the final out after Yankee rookie Hensley Meulens singled in a run in the ninth. Olson got Steve Sax on a grounder with the potential tying runs on base to earn his 20th save.

The left-handed Ballard, who gave up 10 hits, became the first pitcher to strike out the left-handed hitting Don Mattingly three times in the same game.

Clay Parker (3-4), who has failed to win for the Yankees in nine starts since July 1, balked after Phil Bradley singled in the fifth inning. Hits by Cal Ripken and Joe Orsulak scored the run and when Randy Milligan walked, Lee Guetterman replaced Parker.

The Orioles lead Toronto by 1 1/2 games, but instead of six teams being in the race, it has become a battle between the Orioles and Blue Jays. A few weeks ago the Yankees thought they would be in the race, but they dropped 11 1/2 behind with only 32 games left.

Ballard, who was 10-20 in his first two seasons with the Orioles, is the club’s first 14-game winner since Mike Boddicker won 14 in 1986.

Kansas City 3, Oakland 1--It hasn’t been a good year for hard-throwing Mark Gubicza, but when the Royals’ right-hander gets to face the Athletics, he’s tough.

In this game at Kansas City, Gubicza (12-10) held the leaders of the West to four hits in seven innings to stretch his scoreless streak against the Athletics to 34 innings.

The victory put the Royals, who recently won three out of four from the Angels, only 3 1/2 games behind. The Angels are one game behind.

Mike Moore (16-7) lost for only the second time in his last 10 decisions. He is only 2-6 lifetime against the Royals.

An error by Jose Canseco set up the first Kansas City run and Danny Tartabull and Frank White drove in the other two in the sixth.

Toronto 3, Milwaukee 1--Jimmy Key has things under control again and things are looking up for the Blue Jays.

The left-hander has relied on pinpoint control to become the star of the staff. But two months ago, Key lost control. He also had a sore shoulder.

In his second game since coming off the disabled list, Key gave up three hits in seven innings at Toronto, didn’t walk a batter and struck out six to improve to 9-13.

It was the fourth victory in a row for the Blue Jays and pulled them three games ahead of the third-place Brewers in the East.

“I’m successful when I have control,” Key said. “I’m not a power pitcher. You saw what happened when I lost control.”

Boston 4-11, Detroit 2-3--Jody Reed had six hits, including a home run and two doubles at Boston to lead the Red Sox.

Mike Greenwell drove in four runs in the second game after Mike Smithson won the opener, holding the Tigers to a run and three hits in seven innings.

Chicago 5, Cleveland 4--The Indians went into the seventh inning at Cleveland with a 4-1 lead. But when Rod Nichols faltered, Jesse Orosco was there to lose it for the Indians.

Dave Gallagher’s two-run single capped a four-run uprising that won it for Richard Dotson (4-7).

Minnesota 2, Seattle 1--Mike Dyer gave up four hits in seven innings at Minneapolis and the Twins extended the Mariners’ losing streak to nine games.

Jeff Reardon got the last five outs, two on strikeouts, to pick up his 25th save.