American League Roundup : Oil Can Pulls Out Stopper

After their best pitcher, Roger Clemens, failed to pull them out of their slump, the Boston Red Sox needed a “stopper” in the worst way.

Oil Can Boyd was just that Tuesday night at Arlington, Tex., pitching a four-hitter as the Red Sox routed the Texas Rangers, 8-1, to end a three-game losing streak.

Most of this season Clemens has been the one to stop Red Sox slumps. When he couldn’t pull them out of their skid Tuesday night, there was the chance the leaders of the East could go into a deep slump.

Boyd (13-9) decided otherwise. He gave up a first-inning home run to Toby Harrah, then took complete control of the Rangers, striking out 10.

The Red Sox, who scored 24 runs the last time Boyd pitched, continued to support the right-hander. Wade Boggs had two doubles, while Don Baylor hit his 25th home run and Dwight Evans his 19th to lead a potent attack.

Once a happy-go-lucky fellow who would talk incessantly, Boyd has joined the growing list of athletes who need a designated spokesman. He is letting his pitching do the talking.

Boyd, in his fourth major league season, was off to his best start. He was 11-6 in early July. Everything started to go wrong when he wasn’t picked for the All-Star game. He became so upset he jumped the club. He was suspended twice and arrested twice before he started pitching again Aug. 5.

He finally spoke to the press after beating the Rangers.

“I ain’t talking,” he said.

Three months ago, Boyd hit Texas catcher Don Slaught in the face with a fastball. For this game the Rangers ordered extra security. There were no incidents.

“Boyd was tough,” said Manager Bobby Valentine, whose Rangers fell four games behind the Angels in the West. “We didn’t get many good swings against him. We didn’t have any letdown from last night (a dramatic comeback victory). We just ran into Oil Can.”

Boyd’s catcher Rich Gedman said:

“It was the best game he’s pitched this year. Without question.”

Kansas City 6, Chicago 1--George Brett missed 2 1/2 weeks because of a shoulder injury just when the world champion Royals were trying to mount a charge in the West.

Without their outstanding hitter, the Royals made a move in the wrong direction.

Brett is healthy again and swinging a hot bat, but it is far too late to do the Royals any good. They trail the Angels by 12 games with just 36 to play.

Brett hit two home runs and added a single in this game at Chicago. He is 23 for 62 for a .371 average and has knocked in 16 runs in his last 14 games.

Charlie Leibrandt (11-10) pitched a seven-hitter, didn’t walk a man and struck out six.

Toronto 6, Cleveland 6 (tie)--Shortstop Julio Franco fumbled a grounder with two out in the ninth to permit the Blue Jays to tie the score, then rain washed out the game.

The Indians held a 6-3 lead going into the ninth. In the 10th, it rained and, after a wait of more than an hour, the game was postponed.

It will be replayed in full as part of a doubleheader tonight.

The Indians had six consecutive hits in the first inning. They built a 5-0 lead before the Blue Jays fought back.

Detroit 8, Oakland 7--Alan Trammell, playing despite the flu, came through at Detroit with the key hit in a game twice stopped for more than an hour because of rain.

Joaquin Andujar took a 7-2 lead into the sixth, but departed after giving up a single and a double. Before the side was retired, the Tigers had six runs. Trammell doubled home Lou Whitaker from first with two out to put the Tigers ahead.

Milwaukee 6, Minnesota 5--Paul Molitor singled home Jim Gantner from second in the 10th inning at Milwaukee to climax an uphill battle for the Brewers.

The Twins led, 4-1, but successive home runs by Cecil Cooper and Rob Deer (his 30th) started the comeback in the bottom of the sixth.

Molitor’s sacrifice fly tied the game in the eighth.

Seattle 5, Baltimore 2--Rookie Mickey Brantley doubled home two runs in a four-run fifth inning at Seattle that helped Mike Moore (8-11) gain the victory. The loss dropped the Orioles 8 1/2 back in the East.