American League Roundup : Molitor Runs Streak to 25; Brewers Win in 12th

Going from the DL to DH has been the perfect switch for Paul Molitor.

Hamstring, groin pulls and, most recently, an inflamed elbow have meant two trips on the disabled list for Molitor this season. But since the All-Star break, he has been the most productive designated hitter in the American League, a fact that was reinforced in the Brewers’ 4-3 win in 12 innings Monday night at Milwaukee.

Molitor’s third-inning single to left field extended his hitting streak to 25 games, tying the season high set by Boston’s Wade Boggs. Coming into the game against the Texas Rangers, Molitor was hitting .400 in that stretch with 13 stolen bases, including one of home, and improved his overall average to .352.

“I’ve come off the DL a number of times,” he said. “I’ve come off searching for my stroke, and at times I’ve come back and been able to get right back in the groove.

“But to hit in 24 straight games has a great element of luck, and puts it in proper perspective. You can really appreciate the feat of Joe DiMaggio (56 straight games) and Pete Rose (44 games).

Molitor’s presence, mostly as a leadoff hitter, has been a big difference between Milwaukee winning or struggling. With him, the Brewers are 44-23. Without him, they’re 15-29.

Juan Castillo singled home Glenn Braggs with two out in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Brewers the win.

Boston 9, Toronto 1--Roger Clemens, who said he was upset over not being selected to the All-Star team, let his pitching do his talking again in this game at Boston as he won for the fourth time in five decisions since the break.

Clemens (12-7) scattered eight hits, struck out eight and didn’t walk anyone in recording his 13th complete game of the season, tops in the majors. Jim Clancy (10-9) took the loss.

Sam Horn supported Clemens with a grand slam into the right-field bullpen and a double off the left-field wall for five runs batted in. Since being called up from the minors, Horn has hit six home runs in 47 at-bats.

Kansas City 10, New York 1--George Brett hit two home runs, and Kevin Seitzer and Danny Tartabull also homered to lead the Royals at Kansas City. The Yankees are just one-half game out of first place even though they lost for the seventh time in 10 games.

Danny Jackson (6-13) won back-to-back starts for the first time since August of 1986--a span of 34 starts. He allowed six hits en route to his seventh complete game.

After Yankee pitching held Kansas City to one run in the previous five meetings, the Royals broke through for double figures. Starter Brad Arnsberg (1-1) took the loss, allowing nine hits, including three home runs, in six innings.

Seitzer and Brett hit consecutive home runs in the third inning, with Seitzer’s, a two-run shot to left-center, giving him 12 RBIs in 10 games. Brett’s home run to right extended his hitting streak to 14 games and gave Kansas City a 4-1 lead. Brett added a leadoff homer in the eighth.

Chicago 8, Detroit 4--The Tigers, after beating the New York Yankees in three of four games over the weekend, lost to the White Sox at Chicago.

Harold Baines drove in three runs with a two-run double and a sacrifice fly in a six-run first inning to lead the White Sox. Chicago’s Richard Dotson (9-8) survived a rough fifth inning, when the Tigers scored four runs to pull within 6-4.

Baltimore 4, Cleveland 3--Larry Sheets lined a two-run single in the eighth inning to give the Orioles the victory at Baltimore.

The Indians led, 3-2, in the bottom of the eighth when Fred Lynn singled with one out and Ray Knight walked. One out later, Ed Vande Berg replaced Don Gordon and moved both runners up with a wild pitch before Sheets lined a single to center.

Oakland 15, Seattle 4--Tony Bernazard drove in four runs, and Alfredo Griffin and Luis Polonia added three RBIs each at Seattle as the A’s snapped a four-game losing streak.

Oakland’s Dave Stewart (15-8) allowed seven hits in seven innings. He struck out three and walked three, and gave up a pair of two-run homers to Scott Bradley. Rich Rodriguez pitched the last two innings.