AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Stieb Gives Blue Jays a Little Backing, 4-1

The Toronto Blue Jays, already off to a good start in pursuit of an American League East title, received a big boost Sunday.

Dave Stieb, who missed most of last season and had back surgery in December, pitched a three-hitter and the Blue Jays defeated the Brewers, 4-1, at Milwaukee.

Stieb, who had not won in almost a year, had shown some promise in other outings this season, but his performance against the Brewers was by far his best.

Franklin Stubbs’ second home run in two games gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning, but that was all they could do against Stieb.

Stieb wasn’t too impressed. “I still have stuff to work on,” he said. “I’m not where I want to be.

“It’s difficult when you’ve been out a year to go out and throw every ball where you want to. I just wanted to go out and give a good solid performance.”

Joe Carter hit two home runs, the second with one on in the eighth to break the tie. Dave Winfield added his fifth homer in the eighth to complete the scoring.

Carter has always hit well against Milwaukee’s Bill Wegman (2-2). He was three for four Sunday and is 15 for 35 lifetime against Wegman.

“I don’t have any real secret to hitting him,” Carter said. “Actually, he pitched a great game. He just threw a couple of pitches he’d like to have back.”

The Brewers had won four in a row and had knocked the Blue Jays out of first place.

Detroit 8, Oakland 4--Tony Phillips hit a three-run home run in a five-run fourth inning at Detroit that carried the Tigers to victory.

Most of the Athletics were simply happy to get out of town still atop the West. But not hot-hitting Mark McGwire.

McGwire, runaway home run leader in the majors, hit his 13th Sunday.

The first baseman, who batted only .201 last season, hit home runs in each of the last three games with the Tigers. He has now hit 18 in 36 games at Tiger Stadium.

Mike Moore (4-1), who had won nine in a row, was glad to leave after giving up seven runs on seven hits and five walks in 6 1/3 innings.

Manager Tony La Russa wasn’t all that happy to head for Toronto and a series starting tonight. He might not have an outfield.

Rickey Henderson missed the game with tendinitis in his left shoulder and Jose Canseco left in the sixth with a pinched nerve in his hand. Center fielder Dave Henderson, still on the injured list, has played only two games all season.

“It hurt during batting practice and finally I had to leave,” Canseco said. “I hope I’ll play tomorrow, but I don’t know.”

Baltimore 8, Seattle 6--The Orioles find a new star almost every game. Tim Hulett hit a bases-loaded triple to cap a five-run first inning at Baltimore that gave the Orioles a rolling start on the way to their fifth in a row and a 16-8 record.

Randy Mulligan and Cal Ripken homered for the Orioles. With all the firepower, Mike Mussina improved to 4-0 despite his worst effort of the season. Mussina gave up seven hits and five runs in seven innings before the call for help was sent.

Gregg Olson came in after the Mariners scored twice in the eighth and retired the last five batters for his fifth save.

The Orioles are 9-1 in their new park, Camden Yards.

Hulett and Mark McLemore, who had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run, have sparkled in part-time roles. Hulett is hitting .289 and McLemore is hitting .368.

“We’re getting help from everyone,” Manager Johnny Oates said. “That’s the reason we’re doing so well.”

Minnesota 4, New York 2--By this time last year, Scott Erickson was the hottest pitcher in the league. After losing his first two, he won 14 in a row and wound up a 20-game winner.

He went into this game at New York with an 0-3 record and an earned-run average of 5.10.

Erickson started changing speeds and his luck changed, too. He gave up seven hits in six innings to gain his first victory.

He was helped by Matt Nokes, who grounded into three double plays.

Scott Kamieniecki, in his first start since back surgery in August, went 7 1/3 innings, giving up four runs.

Kansas City 5, Boston 2--Kevin Appier (1-2) gave up 10 hits in eight innings at Boston and the Royals won for only the fourth time in 23 games.

Kevin McReynolds hit a home run in the seventh inning, when the Royals scored twice to end the Red Sox’s four-game winning streak.

“It’s hard to enjoy these infrequent victories,” Manager Hal McRae said. “It’s a relief to win. But when we come together and play some good baseball, we will be a tough team to beat.”

Chicago 5, Texas 3--Kenny Rogers walked Craig Grebeck and Tim Raines with the bases loaded in the eighth inning at Chicago as the White Sox rallied.

Ruben Sierra singled in Jeff Huson in the top of the eighth to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.

Robin Ventura opened the bottom of the inning with his third hit, a double off Kevin Brown (4-2) and scored the tying run on Frank Thomas’ single. George Bell singled and Rogers relieved. With two out, he walked Mike Huff to load the bases, then Grebeck and Raines for the deciding runs.

“The walks caught up to us,” Ranger Manager Bobby Valentine said.