AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Johnson Loses His Trojan War, Wins One-Hitter Against A’s, 4-0

It was a confrontation local fans can relate to--USC vs. UCLA.

Randy Johnson, a 6-10 left-hander from USC, was shooting for the second no-hitter of his career Wednesday night at Seattle.

He held the Oakland Athletics without a hit for eight innings.

But in the ninth inning, after walking Scott Brosius for the second time, Johnson faced Mike Gallego, formerly of UCLA.

Gallego spoiled the bid, lining the first pitch to left field for a single. Johnson pitched a no-hitter last June 2 in a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

“He hit a good pitch,” Johnson said. “He stuck the bat out and he hit it.

“It’s obviously frustrating. It was unfortunate I walked the leadoff man. They put a hit and run on. The ball was over (third baseman Edgar Martinez’s) head.”

Johnson (11-8) had the last laugh, striking out Jose Canseco with the bases loaded to end the game. He finished with a 4-0, one-hitter.

Johnson, who was trying to pitch the seventh no-hitter in the majors this season, matched his career high with 12 strikeouts. He leads the majors with 174.

Often given to wildness, Johnson, who has walked 114, also high in the majors, had a perfect game through five innings. He walked Brosius on four pitches to open the sixth. On a wild pickoff at first, Brosius tried to go all the way home and was out.

In eight innings, Johnson faced the minimum of 24 batters. He walked the bases loaded in the ninth before escaping with the shutout and his second complete game of the season.

Milwaukee 5, Toronto 3-- There is an ominous feeling among the Blue Jays.

The last time they lost seven in a row was in 1987. And when they did it, they blew the AL East title in the last week of the season.

Chris Bosio, who had not beaten the Blue Jays since that fateful season, gave up one earned run and seven hits in seven innings Milwaukee as the Brewers handed the Blue Jays their seventh consecutive defeat.

The Blue Jays have given up 53 runs in the last seven games.

David Wells typifies the Toronto pitching problems. The left-hander from Torrance, who was a contributor to the drive that gave the Blue Jays a big lead in the East, has lost four in a row and has been hit hard.

Chicago 9, Detroit 8--In a wild battle that consumed more than four hours at Detroit, Mike Huff broke a tie with a two-run double in the eighth inning.

Although he gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, Bobby Thigpen pitched the last two innings to pick up his 27th save.

The White Sox, who lost a doubleheader to the Tigers Tuesday night, moved to within 1 1/2 games of first place in the West.

The White Sox held home run leader Cecil Fielder without a homer, but he had two hits and drove in two runs to become the first player in the majors to reach 100 RBIs.

Kansas City 5, New York 1--Danny Tartabull, who has led the Royals’ late-season surge, said he wants to be paid $4 million a year next season. The Royals have offered him $3 million per year for three years.

They may want to raise the offer after Tartabull’s grand slam in the 11th inning at New York gave the Royals their ninth victory in 10 games.

It was Tartabull’s 25th home run. He has driven in 75 runs and is batting .329.

Boston 2, Cleveland 1--Joe Hesketh (7-2) continued his amazing comeback with seven strong innings at Cleveland for his fifth victory in the last six decisions.

The seventh victory was the most Hesketh, bothered by a sore arm and shoulder for several seasons, has won since he had 10 at Montreal in 1985.

Jeff Reardon pitched the ninth and picked up his 30th save for a record sixth season.

Baltimore 10, Texas 2--Mike Mussina struck out 10 and gave up three hits in eight innings at Baltimore for his first victory. It was the fourth loss in a row for the fading Rangers.