BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Morris Keeps Winning for Twins

Jack Morris was baseball’s winningest pitcher in the 1980s. Now 36, he is doing pretty well in the ‘90s.

The new ace of the Minnesota Twins, given a 10-run cushion Thursday night at Boston, improved his record to 13-6 with an 11-3 victory over the Red Sox.

Morris pitched seven strong innings, and his task was made easier by Chili Davis, who drove in four runs, three of them with his 20th home run in the fourth inning.

The right-hander, who won 162 games for the Detroit Tigers in the previous decade, won 15 last season, then signed as a free agent with the Twins.

Morris, who gave up two runs and three hits in 92-degree weather, has won 10 of his past 11 starts. The Twins, a .500 club for the first 30 games, are 14 games above .500 and lead the American League West.

The Twins scored six runs in the third and four in the fourth.

“This is fun, everything I ever dreamed of,” Morris said. “The guys are playing well for me, I’m pitching well and we’re winning. And 11 runs doesn’t hurt at all.”

Morris impressed Boston Manager Joe Morgan. “Morris is making one helluva comeback from what we saw last year,” he said. “This was a heckuva pickup for them.”

Morris wasn’t all that impressive at the beginning. He lost his first three starts.

“He’s been a horse for us,” Minnesota Manager Tom Kelly said. “He takes the ball when it’s his turn and works hard. It’s also been a lesson for our young pitchers.”

Kansas City 5, Baltimore 1--When Bret Saberhagen returned from the disabled list last Saturday, he was hit hard, ending a five-game winning streak.

The right-hander from Reseda resumed his comeback with a strong performance at Kansas City. Saberhagen (7-4) gave up six hits and an unearned run in seven innings.

Kirk Gibson doubled home two runs in a four-run third inning.

Toronto 4, Texas 0--Shortly after Nolan Ryan agreed to contract options for $8.1 million for the next two seasons, the Blue Jays treated him shabbily at Arlington, Tex.

Greg Myers and Joe Carter hit home runs and Ryan, 44, fell to 5-5.

David Wells gave up three hits in 6 2/3 innings and improved his record to 11-4.

Ryan went seven innings, giving up five hits, walking four and striking out five.

New York 3, Oakland 2--There were four home runs at Oakland, but the decisive run scored on rookie Bernie Williams’ single in the seventh inning as the Yankees ended a three-game losing streak.

Jose Canseco tied Cecil Fielder for the major league home run lead with his 23rd and Mark McGwire hit his ninth for the other Oakland run.

However, Matt Nokes hit two solo homers for the Yankees to help Scott Kamieniecki improve his record to 4-1.

Seattle 12, Milwaukee 0--Erik Hanson (5-4) pitched the second shutout of his career and the Mariners scored a club-record 10 runs in the eighth inning at Milwaukee.

Ken Griffey Jr. went five for six and shortstop Omar Vizquel went five for five for the Mariners.

Hanson gave up six hits, walked one and struck out four.