AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Orioles’ McDonald Wins With Plenty of Help

There are several similarities between Jack McDowell, the seven-game winner of the Chicago White Sox, and Ben McDonald, the five-game winner of the Baltimore Orioles.

Among them: They throw hard, they haven’t lost a game this season, they are only a few years removed from college stardom and they have something else maybe more important: Both have a knack for pitching when their teams are in a scoring mood.

McDonald, plagued by injuries much of the last two seasons, improved his record to 5-0 in the Orioles’ 5-1 victory Tuesday night at Arlington, Tex.

McDonald held the Rangers to five hits and a run in 6 2/3 innings and lowered his earned-run average to 2.44.

In McDonald’s seven starts, the Orioles, who trail Toronto by a game in the American League East, have scored 54 runs. (The White Sox scored 58 in McDowell’s first seven starts) In a start McDonald didn’t win, the Orioles scored 12 runs.

McDonald credits an improvement in his off-speed pitches for his success.

“I don’t care how hard you throw,” he said. “If you don’t have your off-speed pitches, they’re going to catch up to your hard stuff.

“Two years ago I don’t think I could have won some of these games because I just threw hard.”

Until the sixth inning, McDonald and Bobby Witt were in a scoreless game. But the Orioles broke through to chase Witt and give McDonald a four-run lead.

It probably figured that a home run by Leo Gomez would start the scoring. The third baseman has hit only three home runs, and all of them have come in games in which McDonald pitched.

Another run scored when Mark McLemore raced home from second on Mike Devereaux’s deep fly to center.

Toronto 3, Oakland 0--John Olerud broke up a pitching battle in the sixth inning at Toronto.

Dave Stewart had a two-hitter going with two out in the sixth inning.

But shortstop Mike Bordick’s error put a runner on base and Olerud homered. Stewart pitched a complete game, giving up five hits and an earned run on Pat Borders’ home run in the seventh inning.

The A’s were stopped on seven hits by Jimmy Keys (3-1) and two relief pitchers.

Kansas City 3, Cleveland 0--Mark Gubicza pitched a four-hitter at Kansas City to improve his record to 3-2.

New York 3, Seattle 1--Randy Johnson (3-3) walked six batters in eight innings at New York to set up the Mariners’ 11th loss in 13 games and end the Yankees’ six-game losing streak.

The 6-foot-10 left-hander has walked 19 batters and hit two in his last three starts.

Minnesota 6, Boston 3--Greg Gagne doubled home two runs in the second inning and beat out a bunt to key a three-run fourth inning at Minneapolis. He is batting .643 during the home stand and the Twins scored 33 runs in winning four in a row.

Kevin Tapani, who has struggled most of the season, won for the first time since the home opener. He gave up six hits in seven innings and struck out five to improve his record to 2-4.

Milwaukee 6, Chicago 2--Robin Yount hit a two-run double to back the strong pitching of Jaime Navarro (3-3) at Milwaukee.

Navarro went eight innings, giving up eight hits. He struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.

It was the Brewers’ second victory in a row after seven defeats in a row. The White Sox lost for only the second time in nine games.