American League Roundup : Weaver Plays Trump Card--an Aase--Again

Once Earl Weaver gains confidence in a relief pitcher, he has to be careful not to overwork him.

For several years, Tippy Martinez was the Oriole manager’s favorite out of the bullpen. But Martinez went sour shortly after Weaver’s retirement in 1982. Since Weaver returned as Baltimore manager in the middle of last season, Weaver has found a new bullpen ace.

He is Don Aase, and he has been sensational. Aase, the former Angel right-hander, came in to strike out the last two batters Saturday at New York to save a 7-5 victory for the soaring Orioles. It was the 16th save for Aase and lowered his earned-run average to 0.68. In 23 appearances, he has given up runs in only three of them.

Aase came to the rescue of Mike Boddicker. Boddicker, who pitched brilliantly for seven innings despite a damaged tendon in his middle finger, gave up a two-run home run to the Yankees’ Don Mattingly in the eighth and a three-run homer to Mike Pagliarulo in the ninth.

Fred Lynn hit a three-run home run and drove in four runs as the Orioles built a 7-0 lead in six innings.

The Orioles took a gamble when they signed Aase to a multi-million-dollar contract as a free agent after the 1984 season. Although he had pitched well in the closing weeks of ‘84, Aase had undergone reconstructive surgery on his elbow in 1982 and spent the entire 1983 season in rehabilitation.

Would Aase at 31 regain the form that made him one of the league’s outstanding relievers? It didn’t appear he would when he started out the 1985 season. Oriole Manager Joe Altobelli soon gave up on him, going 19 games without calling on Aase.

One of Weaver’s first moves after replacing Altobelli was to make Aase his top reliever. Since Weaver took over, Aase has been impressive. He has made 61 appearances and has 29 saves.

“The confidence he has in me has been a big help,� Aase said. “I’m in a good groove now, and when I get the ball in the strike zone, it’s hard to hit. I feel great. I don’t think there is any problem about overwork.�

He has had 18 chances this season to save a game, and 16 times he’s done the job.

Texas 7-3, Seattle 5-2--Greg Harris was perfect in relief in both games at Arlington, Tex., as the Rangers swept a doubleheader to move two games in front in the West.

Harris, a 31-year-old right-hander who pitched relief, but not too well, for four National League teams before joining the Rangers last season, has 10 saves.

He took over at the start of the eighth inning for Jose Guzman (5-6) in the opener and retired six consecutive batters, two on strikeouts. In the nightcap, when Charlie Hough (5-2) faltered with two out in the eighth, Harris retired the last four batters, two on strikeouts.

Scott Fletcher went 4 for 4, scored two runs and drove in another to lead the Texas attack in the opener. In the nightcap, Pete Incaviglia had two hits and scored twice.

Milwaukee 3, Boston 0--Ted Higuera pitched a four-hitter at Milwaukee, and Rob Deer and Jim Gantner hit home runs. It was the league-leading seventh complete game for Higuera and his first shutout.

One of the Red Sox’s four hits was by Wade Boggs. His 1 for 4 dropped his major league-leading batting average to .401.

Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd (7-4), who served up the home runs, had his five-game winning streak snapped.

Minnesota 4, Kansas City 1--Kent Hrbek and Bert Blyleven are two visitors who are big fans of Royals Stadium.

Hrbek went 5 for 5, including a home run, and Blyleven pitched a seven-hitter for his 24th win over the Royals to end a three-game losing streak.

“I like this park because it’s big,� Blyleven said. “The mound is outstanding, although (groundskeeper) George Toma will probably change it before I come back. The mound is one of the best.�

It was the first five-hit game for Hrbek. “I didn’t care for this park,� he said, “until they changed the turf a couple of years ago. Now I really enjoy hitting here.�

Chicago 10, Oakland 3--When rookie Bobby Bonilla started pressing last week, the White Sox gave the young outfielder a few days off.

It was just what he needed. Since returning, Bonilla has sparked the White Sox to three straight victories at Chicago. In this one, the left fielder went 2 for 4, including a home run, and drove in four runs.

In the three wins over the A’s, Bonilla is 6 for 13, has scored five runs and has driven in six.

Detroit 2, Toronto 1--Larry Herndon hit a two-run home run in the second inning at Toronto, then made a diving, sliding catch on the wet Astroturf in the seventh to prevent the Blue Jays from scoring twice and taking the lead.

The start was delayed more than two hours by rain, but it didn’t bother Frank Tanana, who went seven innings, giving up six hits and one run to improve his record to 5-4.