AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Welch Helps A’s End Blue Jays’ Streak, 5-1

The Oakland Athletics are doing more than merely marking time until their top players return.

They expect to have pitcher Dave Stewart and the outfield of Jose Canseco and Rickey and Dave Henderson back shortly after the All-Star break. Then, they hope to make a run at the Minnesota Twins in the American League West.

For now they are staying close, in part because unexpected sources are helping Mark McGwire with the offense and because Bob Welch has taken over as star of the staff.

Welch gave up four hits in 7 1/3 innings Friday night at Toronto and pitched the Athletics to a 5-1 victory, ending the Blue Jays’ eight-game winning streak.

It was the fourth victory in a row for Welch (7-4) and he received home run help from Terry Steinbach, Scott Brosius and Randy Ready as the Athletics remained two games behind the Twins.

“We’re just fighting to stay close,” Welch said. “We’re not concerned with who isn’t able to play. We’re all concerned about doing our job. Tonight, my job was to get us a victory.”

McGwire didn’t join the home run parade, but he doubled in the first Oakland run and turned in two fine plays at first base to thwart rallies.

Although he didn’t qualify for another save, Demmis Eckersley pitched the ninth, giving up a hit and a walk.

Welch, 35, was 12-13 last season, joining his teammates in a team collapse, and he spent the first month of this season on the disabled list.

Boston 6, Chicago 5--How long will Roger Clemens be stuck on nine victories? The Red Sox right-hander failed for the sixth time to win No. 10 in this game at Boston.

Clemens, who skipped a turn because of a foot injury, had a 5-2 lead going into the ninth after rookie Bob Zupcic hit his second grand slam, during the eighth.

Clemens faced four batters during the ninth. He walked one and the others singled. The White Sox tied the score on Carlton Fisk’s two-out single against Jeff Reardon.

Reardon, instead of his usual save, got the victory when newly acquired Billy Hatcher singled home Mo Vaughn, who had hit his first triple with two out in the ninth.

Minnesota 5, Baltimore 2--Kevin Tapani gave up only two runs in seven innings at Baltimore and beat the Orioles for the second time in five days.

Tapani (10-5) seemed on his way to his fourth complete game in a row but left after throwing 91 pitches.

Rick Sutcliffe (10-8), who went the distance for the Orioles, has only one victory in his last five decisions.

“There’s one good thing,” Oriole Manager John Oates said, “we don’t have to face him again this season.”

Said Twin Manager Tom Kelly: “Kevin pitched another fine game for us. It was the long at-bat for us in the eighth as much as the (97-degree) heat that forced me to remove him.”

Seattle 5, New York 2--Former Yankee Jay Buhner hit two home runs at New York and helped Dave Fleming end the Mariners’ five-game losing streak.

Lance Parrish also homered for the Mariners, and former Mariner Danny Tartabull homered for the sixth time in the last eight games for the Yankees.

Fleming (11-3) left after giving up a fifth hit to open the ninth, but Russ Swan came in to get the last two outs.

Kansas City 3, Milwaukee 1--Mark Gubicza, the Royals’ best pitcher, left after one inning at Milwaukee, complaining of stiffness in his pitching arm.

Tom Gordon made a pitch for the job as replacement, going four scoreless innings to get his second victory in 11 decisions.

John Jaha, who was leading the American Assn. with 69 runs batted in when called up Thursday, had his first three major league hits for the Brewers.

Texas 6, Cleveland 5--Juan Gonzalez hit a three-run home run during the first inning and later singled in another run at Arlington, Tex.

Brian Bohanon gave up four runs in seven innings but won for the first time in five appearances.

Jack Armstrong, who leads the majors with 12 defeats, went the distance, giving up 14 hits.