AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : A Little Offense Gets Orioles Winging in First

The Baltimore Orioles tied a league record Friday night at Baltimore when they had eight consecutive singles--and not a line drive in the bunch.

In a seven-run first inning that set up a 13-1 romp over the slumping Texas Rangers, Bobby Witt (1-5) was the victim.

After a walk and a force out, Cal Ripken topped a ball and beat it out. Then followed six hits, all just over the infield. Phil Bradley, up for the second time in the inning, hit a bouncing ball between third and short for the eighth hit. Steve Finley ended the streak by making an out for the second time in the inning.

The Washington Senators set the record May 7, 1951 and the Oakland A’s had eight in a row Sept. 27, 1981. The National League record is 10 singles in a row.

“I have never seen anything like it,” Witt said. “I’ve never been a part of anything like it, and I can go back to Little League.

“I felt like I had good stuff. I was putting the ball where I wanted to, and they were blooping it for hits. I still can’t believe it.”

It was the fifth loss in a row for the Rangers, and in those games they were outscored, 29-9.

Witt, who is the last Texas pitcher to win, threw 44 pitches in the inning but worked until one was out in the fifth.

Dave Johnson (3-2), given the big cushion, breezed in an eight-hitter.

As if the Rangers didn’t have enough problems, they had to send Nolan Ryan home because of back spasms. He will probably miss his next start. After a fast start, Ryan has been ineffective in his last four outings.

Kansas City 4, New York 1--It was a night for outstanding pitching performances. Bret Saberhagen pitched a two-hitter at New York for his second victory and first in more than a month.

His batterymate, Mike Macfarlane, drove in all the Royals’ runs with a home run and two doubles.

Saberhagen (2-3) gave up a single to Claudell Washington in the second inning and a lead-off double to Roberto Kelly in the seventh. Kelly scored after an infield out and a sacrifice fly.

Detroit 8, Chicago 2--Cecil Fielder’s bat, quiet briefly, came alive at Chicago in time to halt the White Sox’ six-game winning streak.

Fielder had three hits, including his major league-leading 15th home run. Fielder, Mike Heath, Alan Trammell and Tony Phillips each drove in two runs.

Rookie Brian DuBois (1-2) worked the first five innings for his first victory.

Ron Kittle hit his sixth home run and a double for the White Sox.

Milwaukee 5, Oakland 0--The world champions are having troubles on the road.

Bill Wegman (2-0) came into the game at Milwaukee with an 0-5 record against the Athletics, but he pitched a five-hitter to hand the Athletics their fifth loss in six games on this trip.

Dave Parker led the Brewer attack on Mike Moore (3-3) with two doubles and drove in two runs against his former mates.

Minnesota 6, Boston 0--Tim Drummond didn’t quite last long enough at Boston to get a victory, but he was impressive in his major league debut.

Drummond gave up five hits and struck out six before being replaced in the fifth inning, one out from a victory. There were two runners on and John Candelaria (4-1) took over to get the victory.

The Twins had 16 hits for their 12th victory in the last 15 games. Gary Gaetti homered and drove in two runs. It was his 17th home run at Fenway Park.

Cleveland 5, Seattle 0--Bud Black pitched a four-hitter at Cleveland to end the Mariners’ four-game winning streak.

Black (4-1) lowered his earned-run average to 1.83. In 42 1/3 innings at home, he has an ERA of 1.06.

Candy Maldonado had a hand in both scoring innings. He walked and scored in the fourth and doubled in a run in the three-run fifth.