AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : McDowell Can’t Get Out of First in White Sox Loss

With the Texas Rangers only 3 1/2 games behind them in the American League West, the Chicago White Sox were hoping for another outstanding performance by ace right-hander Jack McDowell Sunday at Detroit.

McDowell responded by walking four of the first five batters and giving up a bases-loaded triple to Eric Davis. The triple keyed a six-run first inning that led to McDowell’s earliest career exit and a 6-3 victory for the Tigers.

“When you’re out of whack, you’re out of whack,” said McDowell (21-9), a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award. His previous earliest departure was Sept. 19, 1990, when he lasted 1 1/3 innings at Oakland.

Chicago got some relief when Texas lost to Minnesota, 4-2, enabling the White Sox to maintain their 3 1/2-game lead.

McDowell walked the first three batters before Cecil Fielder singled in two runs. Kirk Gibson also walked to load the bases before Davis tripled to right.

Mickey Tettleton struck out, but Alan Trammell singled to score Davis and Kirk McCaskill replaced McDowell.

Davis, traded to the Tigers from the Dodgers on Aug. 31, has hit three home runs and driven in nine runs, all against the White Sox. Davis, who left the game in the fifth with a groin pull, is 11 for 34 (.323) since joining the Tigers.

Minnesota 4, Texas 2--Nolan Ryan, returning from the disabled list to start on a day in his honor, was sharp after some early wildness but could not get out of the sixth inning at Arlington, Tex.

David McCarty’s two-run double chased Ryan with two out in the sixth, ending the Rangers’ six-game winning streak.

Ryan (5-4) struck out three, walked five and gave up four runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Kevin Tapani (9-14) dominated the Rangers after Juan Gonzalez’s drove in his 110th run in the first. Gonzalez added a run-scoring double in the eighth against Karl Willis. Rick Aguilera pitched the ninth for his 30th save.

Shane Mack hit his 10th homer for the Twins. Dave Winfield kept his chase of 3,000 hits on hold at 2,996 by sitting out, joking that it was Ryan’s day to be honored.

Among those in attendance for the post-game tribute to Ryan were Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and former Ranger Gaylord Perry, the catchers for six of Ryan’s seven no-hitters, Angel owner Gene Autry and several of Ryan’s milestone strikeout victims.

Kansas City 10, New York 2--Tom Gordon pitched an eight-hitter at Kansas City as the Yankees, who have lost five of six, fell into third place in the AL East, two games behind the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays.

Gordon walked two and struck out five to end a personal three-game losing streak against the Yankees.

The Yankees spoiled Gordon’s shutout bid when Paul O’Neill and Jim Leyritz hit home runs in the ninth inning.

Rookie Mark Hutton (1-1), an emergency starter for the injured Scott Kamieniecki, pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up five runs and five hits. Kamieniecki has a pulled right hamstring.

Brian McRae doubled and tripled to drive in three runs for the Royals. Kevin McReynolds hit a two-run homer, his 11th.

Baltimore 14, Oakland 5--The rampaging Orioles moved into second place in the AL East, as Mike Devereaux led a four-homer attack at Baltimore.

The Orioles’ 11th win in their last 13 games kept them 1 1/2 games behind Toronto.

Baltimore, which moved a season-high 15 games over .500 (79-64), had not been higher than third place since Aug. 9.

Devereaux had a season-high five RBIs, and Jamie Moyer (12-6) struck out seven, walked none and gave up two runs and seven hits in eight innings. He is 5-0 with a 1.62 ERA in his last five starts.

Boston 11, Cleveland 1--Tim Naehring drove in four runs to lead the Indians at Cleveland.

Seattle 5, Milwaukee 4--Mike Blowers scored from second base on an error by Brewer shortstop Pat Listach with two outs in the 10th inning at Milwaukee.