AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Guzman Lifts Blue Jays Back Into Lead

For nearly a year, Juan Guzman, brought up almost in desperation by the Toronto Blue Jays, has been the most effective pitcher in the major leagues.

Guzman held the Royals to five hits in eight innings Saturday night at Kansas City and led the Blue Jays back into first place with a 6-1 victory.

The Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles have been trading off the top spot in the American League East. With the New York Yankees beating the Orioles, it was Toronto’s turn to go back in front.

Guzman struck out five and walked two to improve to 9-1. Since winning his first game last June 27, Guzman is 19-2.

Guzman, obtained from the Dodger organization in exchange for Mike Sharperson in 1987, was unimpressive in seven seasons in the minors. He was 4-5 at Syracuse last spring. But with Dave Stieb sidelined, probably for the season, the Blue Jays had to have a pitcher. Choosing Guzman didn’t appear to be the right choice after giving up nine runs in nine innings while losing his first two starts.

In his third start on June 27, 1991, he held the Minnesota Twins to three hits in 7 2/3 innings to start a 10-game winning streak that helped the Blue Jays to the pennant in the East.

At 25, Guzman is the stopper.

The Twins scored seven runs in seven innings June 3 to hand Guzman his first defeat this season. This is his third victory in a row since then. In 21 innings, he has given up only three earned runs.

Guzman said he is fortunate to be winning because he has struggled in the early innings.

The Royals got their run and all five hits in the first two innings.

“That’s just normal for me,” Guzman said. “I didn’t feel right until the third inning. They’re going to have to start keeping me out of the game until at least the third.”

It was the Royals’ second loss in their last 10 home games.

Texas 4, Boston 1--Kevin Brown gave up five hits and an unearned run in eight innings at Arlington, Tex., to join the ranks of 10-game winners.

Only Tom Glavine of Atlanta and Dave Fleming of Seattle won 10 quicker this season than Brown.

Dean Palmer homered and drove in three runs as the Rangers beat the Red Sox for the 11th time in their last 12 games at home. The Rangers, who struggled at home early, have won 14 of their last 18 at Arlington Stadium.

Brown (10-4) struck out a career-high nine, pitching the Rangers to within three games of first place in the West.

New York 9, Baltimore 5--Mel Hall, benched during a recent slump, went four for four at Baltimore to lead a 15-hit attack that knocked the Orioles into second place.

Hall homered, doubled and drove in three runs to lead the assault on Rick Sutcliffe (9-5). Sutcliffe, failing for the second time to win No. 10, gave up nine hits and seven runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Scott Sanderson, getting rare offensive support, ended a three-game losing streak, pitching five innings. In his previous five defeats, the Yankees scored six runs.

Every Yankee had at least one hit.

“We all get cold together, so it’s nice we could all get hot,” Hall said. “We need to be a little more consistent. Baltimore does it, and that’s why it’s near the top.”

Chicago 3, Detroit 1--A ball lost in the lights cost Kirk McCaskill a chance at a shutout at Chicago, but he ended the White Sox’s six-game losing streak.

McCaskill (4-6) had a shutout until the eighth when, with two on and two out, Travis Fryman hit a fly ball to right field. Shawn Abner lost it in the lights and it went for a double to score the Tigers’ run.

Ron Karkovice homered during the fifth inning and the White Sox spoiled the debut of Buddy Groom, who gave up three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

“A complete game would have been nice,” the former Angel right-hander said. “But it was more important to bring in (Bobby Thigpen) to save it.”

Milwaukee 4, Cleveland 1--The Brewers’ Chris Bosio (5-4) gave up only two hits in 5 2/3 innings at Milwaukee.

After striking out Thomas Howard for the second out in the sixth, Bosio started hobbling around the mound. He suffered a hyper-extended ligament in his left knee and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Paul Molitor hit his 10th home run for the Brewers. It was the last night of spring, but the temperature was 55 degrees and there was a 17-m.p.h. wind.

Minnesota 5, Seattle 3--Pedro Munoz doubled home the go-ahead run and later hit a two-run home run at Minneapolis as the Twins ended the Mariners’ five-game winning streak.

Bill Krueger (7-1) won despite giving up nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

The Twins moved to within three games of Oakland atop the West.