AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Complacency Concerns Lamont

Manager Gene Lamont gave most of his Chicago White Sox a rest Tuesday night. He also gave them a warning: Don’t get too comfortable.

Not because the White Sox dropped a 5-2 decision to the Seattle Mariners at Chicago, but because he doesn’t want them to get out of rhythm.

“You can’t stop playing and turn it on again,” Lamont said. “Most of them will be back out there again tomorrow night. Jack McDowell is pitching and he’s battling for the Cy Young. I think we’ll be ready as a team.”

McDowell’s regular turn was Tuesday night, but Lamont pushed him back a day so he will be able to open the playoffs against Toronto next Tuesday night.

Rookie Scott Ruffcorn got the start and was tagged for two-run homers by Jay Buhner and Dave Magadan as the Mariners snapped a four-game losing streak.

It won’t be the same lineup Wednesday, but slugger Frank Thomas will be out again.

Thomas has an injured triceps in his left arm and figures to miss the next few games.

“It’s a nagging injury,” Thomas said. “I don’t know how long it will take. I just wish I didn’t have it at this time of the year.”

Lamont would not divulge his playoff rotation, other than to say McDowell would start the first game against Toronto next Tuesday.

Baltimore 9, New York 1--After almost a whole season of minimal offensive support, Ben McDonald finally got some backing at Baltimore. McDonald pitched a two-hitter and Chris Hoiles and Harold Reynolds each drove in three runs as the Baltimore Orioles snapped a five-game losing streak.

McDonald (13-13) walked four and struck out nine. There have been 19 games this season in which McDonald has allowed two or fewer runs, but he has won only nine of them. In his last 27 starts, he has a 2.67 earned-run average but only an 11-10 record.

Cleveland 3, Kansas City 2--Kevin Appier lowered his AL-leading ERA to 2.61 but was outpitched by Jason Grimsley at Kansas City. Appier (17-8) lost his second game in a row after having a six-game winning streak and a 33-inning scoreless streak snapped Thursday at Oakland.

Grimsley (3-4) allowed eight hits, struck out five and walked one in seven innings. The right-hander has allowed three runs in his last three starts, two of which he won. Eric Plunk pitched the ninth for his 15th save.

George Brett’s eighth-inning single was the 3,152nd of his career, tying him with Paul Waner for 11th on the all-time list.

Toronto 6, Milwaukee 4--Toronto rested its regulars after clinching the AL East a night earlier and still beat the Brewers at Milwaukee. Dave Stewart (12-8) pitched five innings for his fourth straight win, allowing seven hits and one earned run on a chilly night at County Stadium. The temperature at game time was 48 degrees.

Duane Ward struck out the side in the ninth for his 44th save.

Blue Jay Manager Cito Gaston said he was still mulling over his starting rotation for the AL playoffs against the White Sox. He must decide on a starter for next Tuesday’s opener and whether he will use three or four starting pitchers.

Boston 11-6, Detroit 6-7--Skeeter Barnes’ 11th-inning single drove in Alan Trammell as the Tigers prevented the Red Sox from getting a sweep at Boston. In the first game, Red Sox pitcher Aaron Sele (7-2) had a career-high 11 strikeouts and ended a streak of seven no-decisions.

Texas 2-3, Oakland 0-10--Kevin Brown won his fifth consecutive decision with a four-hitter, but the A’s came back in the nightcap at Arlington, Tex., getting homers from Brent Gates, Dave Henderson and Troy Neel.