AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Stottlemyre Gives Blue Jays Lift

Todd Stottlemyre says that, in his fourth season with the Toronto Blue Jays, he has finally matured into a major league pitcher.

Last season, when he was 13-17 as the Blue Jays finished two games out of first place in the American League East, Stottlemyre had his problems. He would win a few, lose a few and then lose his temper.

Stottlemyre, playing a vital role in the Blue Jays’ pennant bid, improved his record to 13-6 with a strong performance Wednesday night at Toronto.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander gave up four hits in seven innings and, with home runs by Joe Carter and Candy Maldonado, helped the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles, 3-1, to increase their lead over the idle Detroit Tigers to three games. Stottlemyre, who has pitched one complete game in 18 starts, gave up only two hits until two were out in the seventh.

Duane Ward, who would probably be the No. 1 man out of the bullpen on most clubs, pitched two hitless innings, striking out three, to earn his 18th save in 20 opportunities.

On the pitching-rich Blue Jays, Ward is the setup man for Tom Henke, who has 31 saves in 32 opportunities. With Henke needing some rest because of a stiff shoulder, Ward stepped in as the finisher.

Carter’s home run was his 30th this season. He also has 93 runs batted in. Last season with San Diego, he hit 24 home runs.

Stottlemyre, whose father Mel, a former major league star, is the pitching coach of the New York Mets, said: “Last season, I became upset too easily. This season, I have grown up. If a guy gets a hit off me, I don’t let it bother me. I just concentrate on getting the next hitter.”

Dwight Evans, who led the Orioles to the victory over the Blue Jays Tuesday night, doubled in the seventh with two out and scored the only run on rookie Chito Martinez’s single.

Cleveland 8, Minnesota 4--Albert Belle has missed 23 games, but he is still the big man on offense for the Indians.

Belle drove in five runs with a home run and a double at Minneapolis and the Indians rallied to beat the West Division leaders.

Belle missed the 23 games when the Indians penalized the outfielder for throwing a ball at a fan who was taunting him. They suspended him for six games, then sent him to the minors for 17 more.

But Belle has hit 25 home runs and driven in 75 runs.

Kent Hrbek hit a three-run home run in the first inning, but after that the Twins couldn’t touch Willie Blair (2-2).

Belle doesn’t speak with the media, so Manager Mike Hargrove spoke on his behalf.

“As strong as he is, Albert has to realize that there isn’t a ballpark that can hold him,” Hargrove said. “He doesn’t have to pull the ball all the time. He has power to all parts of the park.”

Chicago 4, Kansas City 1--Alex Fernandez pitched two-hit ball for seven innings at Chicago, ended his four-game losing streak and put the White Sox within eight games of the Twins.

Lance Johnson had a two-run single and scored a run as the White Sox won for only the seventh time in the last 24 games.

Bo Jackson appeared as a pinch-hitter and lined out to left. Jackson is 0 for 8 in his comeback.

“My base hits will come. I’m not worried,” Jackson said.

Milwaukee 2, Oakland 0--Bill Wegman (11-6) gave up four hits in eight innings at Milwaukee to stretch his winning streak to five games. He struck out a career-high 10.

Included in his streak is a 7-0 shutout at Oakland.

Paul Molitor, one of the contenders in the batting race, was two for four and is hitting .333. Willie Randolph, who needs 118 more at-bats to qualify, had two hits and is hitting .340.

It has been a remarkable season for Wegman, who underwent elbow surgery last winter and shoulder surgery the year before.

New York 3, Texas 2--The Yankees finally won in Texas.

The Yankees had lost 15 in a row in Texas and rain threatened to wipe out their last scheduled appearance this season.

But after a 25-minute delay, the game started and Steve Sax took charge. Sax went four for five, including his eighth home run, and the Yankees won for the first time since May 4, 1989, in Texas.

Julio Franco, leading the league, was two for four for the Rangers and raised his average to .339.