AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Orioles Suddenly Move Into Contention

As Boston and Toronto struggle at the top of the American League East, neither seemingly able to take charge, Baltimore has sneaked into contention.

Randy Milligan had four hits in four at-bats, including a home run Sunday at Baltimore and the surging Orioles completed a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox with a 9-3 victory.

Pete Harnisch (9-5) and Curt Schilling combined on an eight-hitter against the slumping White Sox, who scored only six runs in the four games. With Oakland winning, Chicago dropped three games behind in the race in the West.

“We’re glad to get the hell out of here,” White Sox Manager Jeff Torborg said. “This club (Baltimore) is starting to play well.”

The Orioles, 9-3 since the All-Star break, have pulled to within two games of .500 (46-48) and are 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Blue Jays.

“We played very well on the home stand,” Manager Frank Robinson said, “but the test is what we do now. If we play the way we can, we can make it a race.”

Milligan attributed the big day, which raised his average 10 points to .278, to a talk he had with batting coach Tom McCraw.

“Last night I took four really bad hacks and wasn’t swinging the bat at all well,” Milligan said. “So Tommy and I talked about it and I changed my stance a bit today. It seemed to work.”

Sam Horn also homered for the Orioles.

Oakland 3, Toronto 0--Mike Moore allowed four hits over 8 2/3 innings and Rickey Henderson returned to the lineup after missing seven games, doubling, singling and scoring twice to lead the Athletics at home.

Moore (9-8) struck out two and did not yield a walk, coming within one out of the shutout. After Fred McGriff’s single in the fourth inning, the right-hander retired 16 of the last 17 batters he faced. He allowed only one runner to reach third base and was lifted for Rick Honeycutt, who got McGriff to fly out to end the game and recorded his fourth save.

Dave Henderson added a solo homer and Jose Canseco had two runs batted in for the A’s.

Canseco has driven in 13 runs in the last 12 games. He is 10 for 17 in the last five games and hit four home runs in four previous games.

Jimmy Key (6-5) allowed three runs and six hits over seven innings in taking the loss.

New York 10, Minnesota 6--Gary Gaetti and Kent Hrbek made errors that led to a five-run ninth inning as the Yankees scored 10 unearned runs at Minneapolis.

The Twins made five errors in all--by Gaetti at third base, by Hrbek at first and by catcher Al Newman, shortstop Greg Gagne and right fielder Shane Mack.

Each team came from behind twice, with Minnesota taking a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning on Mack’s RBI triple off Greg Cadaret (3-4).

But New York, which won for only the fourth time in 12 games, rallied in the ninth against Rick Aguilera (2-3).

Jim Leyritz singled to lead off the inning and Gaetti bobbled Roberto Kelly’s grounder. Hrbek threw Tolleson’s sacrifice bunt down the left-field line in an attempt to catch Leyritz at third and both runners scored to give New York a 7-6 lead.

Seattle 4, Milwaukee 3--Brian Holman (9-7), with late help from Mike Schooler, beat the Brewers at Milwaukee.

Holman gave up only three hits in 7 2/3 innings, then Schooler finished, yielding another hit and earning his 26th save.

Dave Parker and Robin Yount hit home runs for the Brewers.

Kansas City 2, Boston 1--George Brett continued his hitting surge at Kansas City and the Royals prevented the Red Sox from regaining first place in the East.

Brett had a double and a single, stretching his hitting streak to 13 games. Gerald Perry singled home one run in the third inning and Brett doubled home Perry--his 14th double in the last 19 games.

The Red Sox trail Toronto by a half game.

Texas 5, Detroit 3--The Tiger defense collapsed at Arlington, Tex., and Jack Morris lost his 12th game.

Morris pitched a complete game, giving up five runs, but only one was earned. With the score tied, 3-3, catcher Mike Heath made a throwing error to allow two runs.