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American League Roundup : Key Comes Through Again for Blue Jays, 2-1

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There are a number of reasons why the Toronto Blue Jays have surged into contention in the American League East.

The hitting of Mookie Wilson since coming from the New York Mets. The hitting streak of George Bell. The turnaround of bullpen ace Tom Henke.

But, maybe the biggest factor has been the return to form of left-hander Jimmy Key.

Key, in his third consecutive strong effort, held the Chicago White Sox to four hits in seven innings Wednesday night at Toronto as the Blue Jays won, 2-1, to remain a game behind Baltimore.

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Mookie Wilson hit his second home run for the first Toronto run, but it was a two-out bloop single by Nelson Liriano in the sixth inning that drove in the decisive run.

In recent seasons, Key, depending on a good curve and pinpoint control, was the most dependable pitcher on the Blue Jays’ staff.

But in late May this season everything started to go haywire for the 28-year-old former Clemson star. His control was poor and he was hit hard. When he went on the disabled list Aug. 3 with a stiff shoulder, he had lost eight in a row and 12 of 13 decisions.

“It was more than just the shoulder bothering me,” Key said. “My rhythm was terrible. I feel great now. I think I can really be of help down the stretch.”

Key returned Aug. 19 and slowed Baltimore’s drive to the pennant with a 5-1 victory. In his three starts since the shoulder problem, Key has pitched 21 innings, giving up only 11 hits and three runs. He has struck out 13 and walked only two.

Although his hit didn’t figure in the scoring, Bell extended his streak to 21 consecutive games.

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Baltimore 7, Cleveland 4--Maybe, the Indians brought back Greg Swindell too soon.

Their ace left-hander, out of action with a sore elbow since July 25, couldn’t even make it through the first inning at Cleveland.

The Orioles, who scored all seven runs in the first inning, turned two walks and four hits into six runs off Swindell (13-4). Because he had dominated the Orioles in the past, Swindell was rushed into action after pitching only a three-inning simulated game last week.

Phil Bradley greeted Swindell with a 400-foot double. Keith Moreland and Tim Hulett each drove in two runs off Swindell. Before Rod Nichols finally got the third out in the inning, Bradley had another double.

In six previous starts against Baltimore he was 4-1 with an 0.71 earned-run average.

Jeff Ballard (15-6) won his fourth in a row. He gave up two two-run homers to rookie Joey Belle for the Indians’ runs.

The Orioles, hanging tenaciously to first place, have won nine of their last 11 games.

New York 8, Oakland 5--Jose Canseco continued his hot hitting at New York, getting his 10th home run and driving in four runs, but Steve Balboni’s slugging enabled the Yankees to end their six-game losing streak.

Balboni hit his 15th home run, a three-run shot in the sixth inning that put the Yankees ahead to stay, and drove in another run with a single.

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The defeat cut the Athletics’ lead in the West to two games.

After the game the Yankees traded designated hitter Ken Phelps to the Athletics for minor league pitcher Scott Holcomb.

Kansas City 6, Detroit 1--Mark Gubicza had a four-hitter through seven innings at Detroit as the Tigers lost their 11th in a row.

Jim Eisenreich had two doubles and a single to lead the Royals’ 11-hit attack that beat Doyle Alexaneder (5-16) and moved the Royals within three games of first place in the West.

Minnesota 7, Texas 3--Allan Anderson came down with a temperature of 101 just before game time at Minneapolis. The Twins rallied for six runs in the eighth inning to win it for his replacement, Mike Dyer.

The Twins beat bullpen ace Jeff Russell, who had 30 saves, but was hammered for four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Kirby Puckett singled in two runs to tie it, 3-3, and John Moses doubled home two more.

Seattle 7, Milwaukee 3--Ken Griffey drove in three runs with a home run and a single at Milwaukee as the Mariners dropped the Brewers seven games behind Baltimore.

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Jeffrey Leonard also hit a home run for the Mariners, who have won two in a row after losing 12 in a row.

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