AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Morris Still Likes Metrodome

Jack Morris might have left the Minnesota Twins for a free-agent contract in Toronto, but the veteran right-hander still feels comfortable pitching in Minneapolis.

On Saturday night, Morris made his first appearance in the Metrodome since last season’s 10-inning victory in Game 7 of the World Series.

Morris gave up one run, seven hits and struck out seven in seven innings as the Blue Jays beat the Twins, 4-2.

“Maybe it’s because of my experience, but I wasn’t super-pumped about tonight,” Morris said. “If they beat me, they beat me. I pitched a decent game and my team got me the support I needed again and we won. It’s one game.”

Morris (16-5), who tied Chicago’s Jack McDowell and Texas’ Kevin Brown for the league lead in victories, received a mixture of boos and cheers from the crowd of 50,465, the Twins’ fourth largest this season.

Duane Ward pitched the eighth and Tom Henke finished for his 22nd save, yielding a run on an error by shortstop Manny Lee.

Pat Borders doubled twice and singled as the Blue Jays ended a three-game losing streak and opened a three-game lead over Baltimore in the East. The Twins have lost six of seven and fell six games behind West-leading Oakland.

Morris gave up a second-inning run on Chili Davis’ double and Randy Bush’s single, and escaped trouble in the first and third innings when Kent Hrbek ended both threats with lineouts.

Morris settled down, retiring 11 of 12 batters, before Bush and Greg Gagne singled with one out in the seventh. Morris then retired Mike Pagliarulo on a groundout and struck out Chuck Knoblauch.

David West (1-2) gave up three runs in 3 1/3 innings for the Twins.

Oakland 5, Baltimore 3--Dennis Eckersley pitched two scoreless innings at Baltimore for his 39th save in 40 opportunities.

The A’s are 51-0 this season when he pitches.

Oakland first baseman Mark McGwire, the major leagues’ home run leader who injured his rib cage Friday, is expected to be put on the disabled list today.

Jeff Parrett (9-1) replaced Kevin Campbell in the fifth inning and retired nine of 11 batters, striking out five. After Parrett gave up a leadoff double to Glenn Davis in the eighth, Eckersley surrendered a one-out single but worked out of trouble.

The A’s scored all of their runs in the first three innings against Richie Lewis (0-2), who was recalled from triple-A Rochester earlier in the day.

Cleveland 6, Texas 1--The Indians’s victory at Cleveland was their fifth in a row and 58th of the season, eclipsing last year’s victory total.

The Indians are 9-3 during their home stand, the most wins they have had during a home stand since August of 1984 when they were 10-7. The five-game winning streak is their longest since September of 1990.

Jack Armstrong (5-13), returning to the Indians’ rotation for the first time in a month, gave up a run and two hits in six innings before he tired and was replaced.

Bobby Witt (9-12) lost his fifth consecutive start, matching the worst streak of his career.

Paul Sorrento hit his 16th homer for the Indians.

Boston 10, Seattle 8--Tom Brunansky hit a two-run homer against Russ Swan during the eighth inning at Boston in the Red Sox’s best offensive night this season.

The Red Sox, who entered the game with the AL’s lowest batting average, had a season-high 14 hits. Greg Harris (3-7) pitched one-third of an inning for the victory. Jeff Reardon got his 26th save.

The Red Sox were behind, 7-3, after four innings, but tied the score in the sixth on John Valentin’s grand slam, his first major league homer.

Jay Buhner hit his 20th homer and Bret Boone hit his first major league homer for the Mariners.

Chicago 3, Kansas City 2--Steve Sax hit a two-run homer during a three-run fifth inning at Chicago to lead the White Sox.

Greg Hibbard (9-5) gave up two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings as the White Sox won for the 17th time in 24 games.

Bobby Thigpen, who hasn’t saved a game since July 28, relieved with one out in the eighth, but was removed after David Howard singled with one out in the ninth. Scott Radinsky finished for his 14th save.

Mike Macfarlane hit his 13th homer for the Royals.

Milwaukee 5, Detroit 1--Rookie Pat Listach had four hits, stole two bases and scored twice at Milwaukee to lead the Brewers to their fourth consecutive victory.

Cal Eldred (4-1) extended his scoreless streak to 22 innings, and combined with two relievers for a five-hitter.

Eldred gave up four hits in 7 2/3 innings. James Austin finished the eighth and Doug Henry pitched the ninth, giving up Rob Deer’s 24th home run with two outs.