Guzman Puts Freeze on Belle, White Sox

Juan Guzman’s only problem Thursday was the cold while Albert Belle had to deal with a chilly reception.

Despite being limited to only a fastball and curve because his hands were numb in 39-degree weather, Guzman gave up three hits in seven shutout innings, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-0 victory over the White Sox at Chicago.

Belle, Frank Thomas and Harold Baines, the heart of the White Sox lineup, went one for 21 on Wednesday and Thursday, both shutout losses to Toronto.

“The fans were on me a little bit, the few that did show up,” said Belle, who went three for 21 on the homestand.

“I guess they’re expecting to see home runs and fireworks. They must be pretty die-hard to come out in the cold weather.”

Minnesota 7, Detroit 3--Before another tiny crowd in Tiger Stadium, Paul Molitor drove in two runs and Ron Coomer homered to lead the Twins over the Tigers.

Only 6,381 tickets were sold for the game, and with a 39-degree temperature, the actual crowd appeared to be half that.

With Detroit leading, 3-2, in the fourth, Chuck Knoblauch hit a run-scoring triple off Willie Blair (1-2) and scored the go-ahead run on Molitor’s second single. Coomer homered in the fifth.

Texas 2, Milwaukee 0--Bobby Witt scattered three hits over eight innings in his first start as the Rangers defeated the Brewers at Milwaukee.

Mark McLemore and Ivan Rodriguez hit consecutive run-scoring singles off Scott Karl (0-2) in the fifth for the Ranger runs.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Paul Moliter Minnesota 4 for 5, 2 RBI Win Bubba Trammell Detroit First major league HR, 3 RBI Loss Chuck Knoblauch Minnesota 2 for 3, double, triple Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Bobby Witt Texas 8 innings, 0 runs, 5 strikeouts Win Juan Guzman Toronto 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs Win James Baldwin Chicago 8 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs Loss

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