Ranger Pitcher Returns Triumphantly

Rick Helling allowed one hit in eight innings of his first start for Texas since returning to the club, leading the Rangers to a split in Monday’s doubleheader against Milwaukee at Arlington, Texas.

Lee Stevens’ two solo home runs accounted for the only scoring in the second game.

In the opener, Gerald Williams drove in three runs, Julio Franco went three for four and starter Scott Karl (8-10) won his sixth consecutive decision as the Brewers won, 8-5.

With the split, Milwaukee fell five games behind first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.

Helling (1-0) was reacquired by the Rangers in a trade with the Florida Marlins on Aug. 12. He was sent to Florida last Sept. 3 as part of a deal that brought John Burkett to Texas for the Rangers’ pennant stretch drive.

The right-hander took a no-hitter into the sixth when Fernando Vina singled cleanly to left with two outs.

John Wetteland pitched the ninth for his 27th save.

The Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the fifth on Stevens’ 14th homer. Stevens hit his second homer with two outs in the seventh off Joel Adamson (3-2).

Juan Gonzalez homered twice for the Rangers in the first game, but Milwaukee’s offense came through for Karl.

“It was a great day for the offense,” said Karl, who dropped his first three starts despite allowing three runs or less in each outing. “They came out roaring. I enjoyed watching it and they enjoyed it too.”

Brewer Manager Phil Garner said he has ordered his players to keep their eyes off the scoreboard and their minds on business.

“Last weekend, I said that we were not going to pay attention to the scoreboard anymore,” Garner said. “We’ve got to do it that way. We weren’t doing very well with the distraction of a pennant race, so we’re going to focus on each inning and not worry about the rest.”

Cleveland 5, Toronto 3--The Indians achieved a tranquil ending for a homestand that began in turmoil.

David Justice hit a three-run homer, and Orel Hershiser pitched the Indians to their fifth victory in six games, beating the Blue Jays at Cleveland.

The first-place Indians went 7-5 on a homestand that got off to a unimpressive 1-3 start last week, sparking talk of the Indians’ demise in the AL Central and the future of Manager Mike Hargrove.

“I know we’re not playing our best baseball, or what people are used to around here,” said Justice, who batted .513 with five homers and 15 RBIs on the homestand. “But we’re still battling. We’re still protecting our lead, even though it is small.”

The two-time defending division champs now head to the West Coast for eight critical games against Seattle, Oakland and Anaheim.

“I think this trip is a large part in determining our season,” Jim Thome said.

Justice put Cleveland up, 3-0, with his 24th homer in the first off Woody Williams (7-11).

Chicago 5, Seattle 0--Rookies Scott Eyre and Keith Foulke combined on a four-hitter and Jorge Fabregas drove in three runs as the White Sox beat the Mariners at Chicago.

Eyre (2-2) pitched out of a bases-loaded situation in the first. He gave up three hits in five innings, including the Mariners’ only extra-base hit, a double by Ken Griffey Jr. in the first.

Foulke, who came over from San Francisco in a nine-player deal on July 31, gave up only one hit over the final four innings for his first major-league save.

The White Sox went ahead, 1-0, in the third on Mario Valdez’s single and a double by Ozzie Guillen.

Fabregas singled in Robin Ventura to make it 2-0 in the fourth and the White Sox loaded the bases before Paul Spolijaric replaced Felipe Lira (5-8) and got Guillen on a pop.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Julio Franco Milwaukee Game 1: 3 for 4, 3 runs, home run Win Dave Justice Cleveland 2 for 3, 3 RBIs, home runs Win Juan Gonzalez Texas Game 1: 2 for 4, 3 RBIs, 2 home runs Loss Jorge Fabregas Chicago 2 for 4, 3 RBIs Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Matt Whiteside Texas Game 1: 5 1/3 innings in relief, no runs, 2 hits Loss Rick Helling Texas Game 2: 8 innings, one hit Win

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