American League Roundup : A’s Pick Up Win Even Though Eckersley Blows Save

Dennis Eckersley did not enjoy his second victory of the season.

Eckersley, one of the major league’s best relief pitchers, was disconsolate despite getting the victory Wednesday at Oakland when Dave Henderson’s ninth-inning home run carried the Athletics over the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-6.

The veteran right-hander had failed to save Dave Stewart’s 20th victory.

Stewart, seeking a third consecutive 20-victory season, departed after seven innings with a 6-4 lead. Eckersley took over.

Normally, that’s a sure victory. Not this time. Hot-hitting rookie Greg Vaughn hit his second two-run home run, tying the game in the ninth inning. It was only the fourth time in 33 save opportunities this season that Eckersley failed. It was also only the fourth home run off Eckersley in 43 appearances this season.

“I feel terrible,” said Eckersley, who is 2-0 and has 29 saves despite missing almost two months with a shoulder injury. “He’s hot man. You throw a cookie to a hot hitter, he’s going to lose it.”

A cookie is a fattening pitch, Eckersley explained.

Stewart, who won his 19th on Sept. 3 and was a loser to New York last Friday night, is scheduled for at least three more starts. He was not perturbed.

“There’s no doubt I’ll win 20 and more,” Stewart said. “Eck’s been there all year. He’s bailed me out of I don’t know how many games.”

Henderson hit a 1-and-0 pitch off Chuck Crim as the leadoff hitter in the ninth. The ball barely cleared the center-field barrier for his 12th home run.

Vaughn, who had many friends come over from his hometown of Sacramento, had a big series. He hit three home runs and drove in eight runs in the two games. Vaughn has five home runs since joining the Brewers after the American Assn. season ended. For Denver, he batted .276 and hit 26 home runs.

“I wanted to do well for the hometown people,” the 24-year-old outfielder said. “I’m in a good groove right now. I was fortunate to come up with men on base.”

Manager Tom Trebelhorn of the Brewers doesn’t think Vaugh is a fluke.

“He’s done nothing to make us think he needs more seasoning,” he said. “He hits with power and he steals bases.”

Kansas City 3, Texas 2--Henderson’s heroics enabled the Athletics to retain their three-game lead over the Royals.

Bret Saberhagen became the league’s second 19-game winner when he pitched a seven-hitter and gave up only one earned run.

Frank White hit his first home run at Royals Stadium in more than a year in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie and enable Saberhagen to improve to 19-6.

He also lowered his league-leading earned-run average to 2.41.

Minnesota 3, Toronto 2--Pitchers the Twins obtained from the New York Mets in the Frank Viola deal augur well for the club in the future and at present are keeping the Blue Jays from upping their lead in the East.

Kevin Tapani (2-0) held the Blue Jays to a run and six hits in 7 2/3 innings at Minneapolis. Tuesday night, David West baffled Toronto.

In both games, hot-hitting Kent Hrbek provided the offense. His grand slam turned Tuesday’s game into a rout. In this one, Hrbek drove in two runs.

Bullpen ace Jeff Reardon almost blew Tapani’s victory. He gave up a home run to Tony Fernandez and had runners on first and third in the ninth when John Moses made a brilliant catch of Mookie Wilson’s long foul fly to end it.

The Blue Jays lead the East by two games.

Chicago 3, Baltimore 0--Shoddy fielding and rookie Greg Hibbard put a damper on the Orioles’ pennant hopes on a rainy night at Baltimore.

Hibbard held the Orioles to four hits in 8 1/3 innings before Bobby Thigpen took over to get his 30th save.

The game was delayed 49 minutes by rain in the fourth inning. After Dave Johnson (4-5) fell trying to field a bunt as a run scored in the fifth inning, Manager Frank Robinson protested the game because of the wet field.

Detroit 3, Cleveland 1--The return to form of Jack Morris (6-11) has kept the Tigers’ season from being a total disaster.

In winning his third in a row, Morris, throwing a fastball timed at 93 m.p.h., pitched a five-hitter.

Seattle 7, Boston 4--Jay Buhner and Alvin Davis hit home runs at Seattle as the Mariners completed their first three-game sweep over the Red Sox, who lost their eighth in a row.