BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AMERICAN LEAGUE

Tom Candiotti, who lasted only 2 2/3 innings in Tuesday’s playoff opener, said he won’t feel snubbed if the Blue Jays skip his turn in Game 5 today in order to start Game 2 winner Juan Guzman. However, the veteran knuckleballer said Manager Cito Gaston told him Saturday that he will start as scheduled.

“I don’t feel I have to prove myself. One game doesn’t make or break a pitcher,” Candiotti said. “I have a pretty good track record over the last six, seven years. In a lot of starts I’ve gone seven-plus innings. I wish Juan Guzman could start every game for us, the way he’s going. I’m not going to get upset over the controversy that he may start. If it’s better for the team and that’s what they want to do, that’s their prerogative.”

Gaston questioned Candiotti’s pitch selection Tuesday, saying Candiotti was beaten on “his second-best pitch,” his curveball. Candiotti said he went with his curve “to avoid walks and getting behind hitters. I like to throw more knuckleballs, but when it’s not working, I have to go to Plan B, which is more curveballs.”

Twin starter Kevin Tapani said he doesn’t expect pitching on three days’ rest to hurt him. Tapani gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings in a 5-2 Toronto victory Wednesday. “I’m feeling pretty good. I only threw (86) pitches in my last start,” Tapani said.

If the Blue Jays should switch to Guzman, who is 3-0 against Tapani, the Minnesota right-hander isn’t worried. “Eventually, I’m going to win,” Tapani said. “Of 100 times, he’s not going to win 100.”

Knowing they would have to hit in the World Series, the Blue Jays’ pitchers took batting practice Saturday. The results were predictably comical. “If they throw me a fastball, I might have a chance,” Duane Ward said, “but if they throw me a wrinkle (curveball), I’m done.”

Minnesota’s Scott Erickson, who was a first baseman and third baseman until midway through high school, said he used to be a fair hitter. “I’ve lost it now, though,” he said.

The Texas Rangers have contacted several teams about their interest in acquiring Ruben Sierra, whom the Rangers fear they might not be able to sign when he becomes eligible for free agency in 1992. The Angels and New York Mets are among the clubs the Rangers have called. The Rangers probably would want a quality pitcher in return. For the record: Todd Stottlemyre and his father, Mel, were the third father-son combination to pitch in postseason play. The first pair was Jim Bagby Sr. with Cleveland in 1920 and Jim Bagby Jr. with Boston in 1946, followed by Dizzy Trout (1940 and ’45 Tigers) and Steve Trout (1984 Cubs).