AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Pitching-Rich A’s Get Richer, Sanderson Sharp in 3-0 Victory

With Bob Welch and Dave Stewart in their starting rotation and Dennis Eckersley in the bullpen, the Oakland Athletics have perhaps the most formidable pitching staff in baseball.

And on the same day the A’s became even more talent rich with the signing of Todd Van Poppel, the nation’s best high school pitching prospect, they got another outstanding effort from Scott Sanderson.

Sanderson (11-5) allowed four hits in 8 1/3 innings, and Gene Nelson got the final two outs as the A’s beat the Cleveland Indians, 3-0, Monday night at Oakland.

It was the A’s 10th shutout this season.

Sanderson walked two and struck out eight. He has pitched 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in his last two starts against the Indians, who have not scored in 23 innings.

Ron Hassey hit his third homer, his first since May 16.

Al Nipper (2-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in only 3 1/3 innings.

Detroit 5, Chicago 4--Alan Trammell’s two-out homer in the ninth inning at Detroit ended the White Sox’s 11-game road winning streak.

It was the first road loss for the White Sox since they lost at Seattle on June 13.

Trammell had four hits in a game for the second time this season.

Don Pall (1-4), who came in to face Trammell, took the loss. Mike Henneman (5-5) got the victory.

Scott Fletcher homered for the White Sox.

Scott Lusader hit his second homer for the Tigers.

Baltimore 7, Texas 6--President Bush and his wife, Barbara, were in attendance at Baltimore, but they left in the seventh inning and missed seeing Ranger pitcher Brad Arnsberg walk Mickey Tettleton with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to force in the winning run.

Cal Ripken handled his 385th consecutive chance without an error at shortstop, breaking the record set by John Kerr with the 1946-47 New York Giants.

Kenny Rogers (3-5) took the loss.

Gregg Olson (5-3) pitched the ninth inning for the victory.

Rafael Palmeiro had three hits for the Rangers, including his ninth homer.

Phil Bradley hit a three-run homer for the Orioles in the fifth.

New York 3, Kansas City 2--In his first start of the season, Jeff Robinson allowed two runs in six-plus innings at New York as the last-place Yankees ended a five-game losing streak.

Robinson (2-5), a former star at Cal State Fullerton, allowed Kansas City four hits and walked two. He had made 32 relief appearances this season and his last start was for Pittsburgh on Sept. 29, 1989.

Dave Righetti pitched the ninth inning for his 18th save.

Steve Balboni and Bob Geren hit solo home runs in the fourth inning off Pete Filson (0-1), who allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings.

George Brett hit his third homer for the Royals, who are in last place in the West.

Minnesota 3, Boston 2--Paul Sorrento drove in the game-winning run with a ninth-inning triple at Boston.

Juan Berenguer (7-2), who relieved starter Mark Guthrie with two outs in the seventh, earned the win. Rick Aguilera worked the ninth for his 22nd save.

Wade Boggs had three hits for the Red Sox, giving him 101 this season. Boggs is trying to reach the 200-hit mark for the eighth consecutive season.

Red Sox starter Wes Gardner pitched seven innings, giving up five hits and striking out six.

Toronto 4, Seattle 3--Jimmy Key allowed three hits over seven innings and Fred McGriff homered at Seattle as the Blue Jays ended a three-game losing streak and regained first place in the East.

The victory, coupled with Boston’s loss to Minnesota, gave the Blue Jays a half-game lead over the Red Sox.

Key (6-4), who had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder last October, walked one and struck out one before he was replaced in the eighth inning by Jim Acker.

Tom Henke got the final out for his 17th save.

McGriff hit his 21st homer in the first inning off Erik Hanson (10-7).

Alvin Davis homered for the Mariners.