Pitching Has Red Sox Looking Good

Boston Manager Jimy Williams saw brilliant starting pitching as a coach with Atlanta. Lately, his Red Sox have done a pretty good imitation.

Aaron Sele pitched seven shutout innings--bringing the starters’ string to 26 without an earned run--as the Red Sox beat the Oakland Athletics, 7-2, Tuesday night at Boston for their third straight victory.

“They’re really doing a nice job. I’m not trying to compare them to anybody,” said Williams, who took over the team this season. “They’re pitching with a purpose.”

In the last four games, the earned-run average of starters John Wasdin, Tom Gordon, Tim Wakefield and Sele is 0.31 and each has pitched at least seven innings. Steve Avery, once part of those outstanding Braves’ staffs, faces Cleveland tonight.

“It’s very contagious. You get the starters on a roll and it’s a snowball effect,” Sele said. “We’ve turned in six or seven good appearances in a row and, hopefully, this will continue in the Cleveland series.”

In Monday’s series opener against the A’s, Wakefield permitted only one hit in seven innings of a 10-1 victory. Sele (2-0) allowed five hits.

The starters’ totals for the last four games are 13 hits, eight walks, 18 strikeouts and one earned run in 29 innings.

Along with pitching well, the Red Sox (7-6) have been hitting the long ball. They entered the game tied for the AL lead with 18 homers before Troy O’Leary and rookie Nomar Garciaparra hit solo shots. Garciaparra also had a two-run triple in the eighth.

Jose Canseco, traded from Boston to Oakland in the off-season, spoiled the shutout with a two-run single in the ninth off Heathcliff Slocumb. Mark McGwire then grounded into a game-ending double play as Oakland lost its seventh straight game at Fenway Park.

Texas 5, Chicago 2--Bobby Witt ran his season-long scoreless streak to 16 1/3 innings before allowing two eighth-inning home runs, but the Rangers still cruised to a victory over the sagging White Sox at Arlington, Texas.

Witt (2-0) gave up 11 hits in 7 2/3 innings, but the first nine were singles. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out two. Xavier Hernandez got the last out of the eighth and John Wetteland pitched the ninth for his third save.

“Warming up in the bullpen I felt like I had a good fastball,” said Witt, a winner in his first two starts for the first time in his career.

Several off days the first week of the season forced Witt to be skipped the first time through the rotation. He was used in relief in the second game and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Six days later he got his first start in Milwaukee and had eight scoreless innings.

Chicago lost for the sixth time in seven games. The White Sox had consecutive hits to open the first and sixth innings but couldn’t get the runners past second base either time.

Kansas City 7, Toronto 5--For the second consecutive game, the Pittsburgh connection has paid off for the Royals. Former Pirate Jeff King had three hits, including a two-run home run, and drove in three runs to lead the Royals at Toronto.

The previous night, former Pirate shortstop Jay Bell hit two home runs in a 3-2 Royal victory.

Interestingly, former Pirate Orlando Merced and Carlos Garcia drew more attention when they were traded to the Blue Jays. But so far Bell and King have been doing the most damage.

Seattle 8, Cleveland 4--Former Indian Paul Sorrento drove in four runs with a career-high five hits, leading the Mariners at Cleveland.

Sorrento’s two-run double over the head of center fielder Marquis Grissom with one out in the eighth inning put Seattle ahead, 4-3. He then scored on Brent Gates’ opposite-field double to left.

The previous night, former Indian pitcher Dennis Martinez yielded only one run on two hits in six innings of a 6-1 Mariner win.

“Players usually like to do well against their old teammates,” Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said. “We’ve had it happen to us, too.”

Bob Wells (1-0) pitched one-plus inning in relief of starter Bob Wolcott to gain the win. Norm Charlton earn his third save.

Detroit 3, Milwaukee 1--Tony Clark’s two-run home run helped the Tigers gain a split of their two-game series at Milwaukee.

Willie Blair (2-2), who went into the game with a 13.50 ERA in 7 1/3 innings, worked seven innings and gave up one unearned run on five hits, four walks and two strikeouts. Todd Jones pitched the ninth for his third save.

Scott Karl (0-3) got the loss.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Paul Sorrento Mariners 5 for 5, 4 RBIs, 2 doubles Tony Clark Tigers 3 for 3, 2 RBIs, homer Jeff King Royals 3 for 5, 3 RBIs, homer Nomar Garciaparra Sox 3 for 5, 3 RBIs, homer, triple

Player Team’s Result Paul Sorrento Win Tony Clark Win Jeff King Win Nomar Garciaparra Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Aaron Sele Red Sox 7 innings, 5 hits, 0 runs Win Willie Blair Tigers 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run Win

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