AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Bolton Helps Boston Win Battle of the Sox, 4-1

The Boston Red Sox went into the free-agent market last winter to sign pitchers Danny Darwin and Matt Young. That left Tom Bolton, a 10-game winner last season, out of a job.

Plans were for the left-hander to work long relief and to get an occasional start. But only six weeks into the season, Bolton has become the No. 2 starter behind Roger Clemens.

Bolton helped end the Red Sox’s two-game losing streak and won his fourth consecutive game Tuesday night, 4-1, over the Chicago White Sox at Boston.

Bolton gave up an unearned run and eight hits in 8 1/3 innings. Jeff Reardon got the last two outs for his 11th save.

Ellis Burks, fighting a yearlong slump, hit his second home run and a single to lead the Red Sox attack.

Bolton didn’t get his first start until April 17. He went seven strong innings against Kansas City, then didn’t pitch again for 10 days.

When Darwin went on the disabled list, Manager Joe Morgan put Bolton into the rotation.

“I thought the way I finished last season that I was ready for a big season,” Bolton said. “I’m just glad to get the opportunity to get into the regular rotation.

“A complete-game shutout would be nice, but the win is good enough. We gave it a shot, but it wasn’t to be. We came up winning and that’s the big thing.”

Minnesota 5, Milwaukee 1--Jack Morris pitched a two-hitter at Minneapolis as the Brewers suffered their eighth defeat in a row.

Chili Davis hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie. Davis, batting .324, has hit four home runs in his past three games and eight for the season.

Morris went into the game with only two victories in six decisions and an earned-run average of 5.89.

“I just wanted to shake somebody’s hand at the end of the game,” Morris said. “I felt great.”

Seattle 2, Cleveland 1--Brian Holman gave up one run in eight-plus innings at Cleveland and Alvin Davis hit a run-scoring double to break a tie in the sixth inning to give the Mariners their eighth victory in nine games.

The Mariners, 18-8 since the rocky start, are only a half-game out of first place in the West.

Baltimore 6, Oakland 1--The Athletics’ slump continued at Baltimore. A barrage of four home runs handed the Athletics their fourth loss in five games on this trip.

Cal Ripken Jr., who leads the league in runs batted in with 27, and Joe Orsulak hit back-to-back homers in the first inning for Jeff Robinson (2-3).

The Athletics managed only one run and 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings against Robinson.

Mike Devereaux and Chris Hoiles also homered for the Orioles.

Toronto 4, Kansas City 1--David Wells, who opened the season by losing his first three decisions, won his fourth in a row and the Blue Jays won for the sixth time in seven games.

Greg Myers hit a two-run home run at Toronto and Wells gave up a run and four hits in seven innings.

Mark Gubicza, making his first start in nearly 11 months, gave up three runs and seven hits in five innings.

Texas 5, Detroit 3--Rafael Palmeiro’s two-run triple broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning of a rain-soaked game at Arlington, Texas.

The start of the game was delayed almost two hours because of rain.

Former Ranger Pete Incaviglia hit a home run in the ninth for the Tigers.