AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Sutcliffe Pitches Orioles to First Place

Rick Sutcliffe’s three-year struggle to overcome shoulder problems apparently is over.

Sutcliffe pitched the Orioles into first place in the American League East with a 1-0 victory over Toronto Friday night at Baltimore. The Orioles lead the division by four percentage points.

Cal Ripken broke the scoreless tie between Sutcliffe and Jimmy Key with a run-scoring single in the eighth inning.

Sutcliffe (8-4) held the Blue Jays to three hits until Roberto Alomar singled to open the ninth. Gregg Olson came to the rescue and recorded his 14th save.

After winning 16 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1989, Sutcliffe missed most of the next season and had to have surgery. He came back last season, but was not impressive, posting a 6-5 record.

The Orioles took a chance and signed him as a free agent.

After an impressive spring, Sutcliffe pitched a five-hit shutout in the first game at Camden Yards.

The 35-year-old right-hander, who began his career with the Dodgers in 1976, has been able to take a regular turn and has pitched into the seventh inning in 10 of his 13 starts.

Key had retired 12 batters in a row before Brady Anderson beat out an infield hit with two out in the eighth. Mike Devereaux singled to right, sending Anderson to third.

Duane Ward replaced Key and Ripken ripped a single to drive in the only run and extend his hitting streak to 14 games.

Both Devereaux and David Segui made spectacular catches in the outfield to save Sutcliffe.

“I’ve always said that if you don’t walk anybody and keep the ball in the ballpark, you should win,” Sutcliffe said. “I pushed the park about as far as I could push it tonight.”

Oakland 10, Chicago 3--Jose Canseco, in good health for the first time all season, and Harold Baines hit three-run home runs at Chicago and Mark McGwire hit his major league-leading 21st.

It was the 40th time Canseco and McGwire have hit home runs in the same game. It was the sixth time they have done it this season.

It was the fourth victory in a row for the Athletics, who increased their lead in the West to 1 1/2 games over Minnesota.

The White Sox, who returned home from a 1-8 trip, have lost nine of their last 10.

Ron Darling (5-3) won for the fourth time in his last five outings.

Texas 5, Minnesota 4--Jose Guzman (5-3) gave up eight hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings.

“We may have pushed Guzie a little,” Manager Bobby Valentine of the Rangers said. “But the first two batters hit rockets in the eighth. He threw a lot of pitches (124). He did a solid job.”

Juan Gonzalez hit a home run and a triple for the Rangers.

Kansas City 6, Seattle 4--The Royals opened the season with only one victory in 17 games, but they are ready to escape the cellar in the West.

Wally Joyner and George Brett each hit run-scoring doubles and Gregg Jefferies hit a home run at Kansas City, and the Royals won their third in a row.

The Royals pulled within 1 1/2 games of the Mariners in their drive to vacate the cellar.

“There is no way we’re giving up the season,” said Jefferies, who struck the final blow for Kevin Appier to improve his record to 5-3. Appier went seven innings for his fifth victory in his last six decisions.

“Our first step up the ladder will be to catch Seattle,” Appier said. “Then, who knows?”