AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Rickey Henderson, Stewart Power Athletics, 7-2

Dave Stewart worked his April magic and Rickey Henderson moved closer to the base-stealing record Tuesday night at Oakland.

Stewart, who hasn’t lost in the opening month of the season in the last four years, pitched a strong seven innings in the Athletics’ 7-2 victory over Minnesota. It was his 20th consecutive victory in April.

Henderson stole second in the first inning. The pitch hit the plate and bounded away, but he appeared to have a big jump anyway.

It gave him 937 steals to Lou Brock’s 938. Henderson is tied with Sliding Billy Hamilton, who played more than 90 years ago.

Henderson was two for four. He had a chance to steal third against one of his favorites, Jack Morris, who has been on the mound for 15 of his steals. Instead, he went from second to third on a fly ball, then scored on Terry Steinbach’s single.

In his next at-bat, Henderson singled again. As he was stealing on a three-and-two pitch to Dave Henderson, the pitch was ball four.

Dave Henderson hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning after Rickey walked with a runner on first. That was all Stewart needed.

Stewart, a 20-game winner for four consecutive seasons, gave up only three hits and one run in his seven innings.

There have been 11 pitchers who have won 20 games five seasons in a row. All are in the Hall of Fame.

Stewart won his last three April decisions in 1987. He was 6-0, 5-0 and 5-0 the next three Aprils.

The loser was Morris, making his 12th start in a season opener. The previous starts were for Detroit.

Cleveland 2, Kansas City 1--Dave Stewart isn’t the only pitcher who does well in April. Knuckleball specialist Tom Candiotti is another.

Candiotti gave up only five hits in eight innings at Kansas City to get the victory for the Indians.

Candiotti improved his April record to 12-7. He also continued his domination of the Royals. He is 10-3 against them.

“The knuckleball is extremely hard to hit when it’s moving a lot and you’re keeping it in the strike zone,” Candiotti said. “That’s what I was able to do tonight. I was real zoned in and the ball was moving.”

Sandy Alomar not only was able to catch Candiotti’s knuckler all night, he doubled in the first run in the second inning.

The Indians’ winning run was unearned and scored when Jerry Browne hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.

The Indians spoiled Mike Boddicker’s debut with the Royals. He went the distance, also giving up five hits and only one earned run.

Toronto 4, Boston 3--Newcomers played a big role at Toronto in leading the Blue Jays to victory after an opening loss.

Rookie Mark Whiten, Joe Carter and Devon White provided the punch and Jimmy Key pitched a strong six innings for the victory.

White and Carter each had two doubles. White scored twice and Carter drove in two runs.

It was Whiten who doubled in the tie-breaking run in the sixth inning.

Tony Pena hit a two-run home run in the third inning to account for the damage against Key.