American League Roundup : King Still Rules Orioles as White Sox Win, 11-1

Eric King’s desire to start has been satisfied since the Detroit Tigers traded him to the Chicago White Sox.

And he has found a team he can beat.

King is only 8-9, but he has done a remarkable job of slowing the Baltimore Orioles’ bid in the East.

With Ivan Calderon, Carlton Fisk and Scott Fletcher hitting home runs Tuesday night at Baltimore, the White Sox won, 11-1, for King’s third victory over the Orioles this season.

King held the Orioles hitless for four innings and gave up only three hits in seven innings.

“I don’t know why I’m successful against them,” said King, who is 6-1 lifetime against the Orioles. “I know I feel comfortable out there against them.”

With Toronto losing, the Orioles missed a chance to pull within a game of first place. Instead, they are still two behind with 15 left.

By the end of the fourth inning the White Sox had pounded four Orioles pitchers for eight runs and 10 hits. Pete Harnisch (4-9) was gone in a little more than two innings. Ben McDonald, the No. 1 draft choice last June was also ineffective, giving up three hits and two runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Minnesota 8, Toronto 2--Kent Hrbek hit a grand slam at Minneapolis to quiet the Blue Jays, and David West continued to look sharp.

West, once a prize New York Mets’ prospect, had gone sour before being included in the trade that sent Frank Viola to the Mets. After the Twins made a change in his mechanics, West has won three in a row.

West gave up six hits and only one earned run in seven innings for his fourth consecutive solid start.

It was only the fifth loss in the last 24 games for Toronto.

Kansas City 6, Texas 5--Nolan Ryan struck out 13 batters, reaching double figures for the fifth consecutive game, but once again didn’t win.

Ryan led, 5-4, when he departed after giving up a double to open the ninth inning at Kansas City. Pinch-hitter Pat Tabler greeted reliever Ken Rogers with a home run to win.

Ryan (15-10) has won only once in his last five starts.

Milwaukee 7, Oakland 6--Greg Vaughn hit a three-run homer to cap a Brewers’ rally that wiped out the Athletics’ 5-0 lead at Oakland.

The Athletics had two runners on with one out in the ninth, but bullpen star Dan Plesac struck out Jose Canseco and got Dave Parker on a line drive to end the game. Canseco hit his 14th home run in the eighth.

The defeat cut the Athletics’ lead over Kansas City in the West to three games.

The Brewers are 6 1/2 behind Toronto in the East.

Cleveland 1, Detroit 0--Jerry Browne singled home the only run in the eighth inning at Cleveland and Bud Black pitched a five-hitter for his second shutout in a row. He made John Hart a winner in his debut as Cleveland interim manager.

Frank Tanana, who gave up six hits in eight innings, lost.

Seattle 5, Boston 3--Greg Briley hit a two-run home run and Jay Buhner had a two-run double at Seattle as the Mariners handed the Red Sox their seventh loss in a row.