American League Roundup : Plunk, New to Bullpen, Comes Out to Save Athletics’ 9-7 Win

Eric Plunk, a flop as a starter early this season, was sent to the minors to become a relief pitcher.

If his first appearance out of the bullpen is an indication, the 6-foot 5-inch right-hander learned his new trade rather well at Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.

Plunk, brought up when Jay Howell, the Athletics’ best relief pitcher, had to go on the disabled list, pitched 3 hitless innings Tuesday at Oakland to save a 9-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

With Minnesota losing a rare game at home, the Athletics, by winning their second in a row, pulled to within a game of first place in the American League West.

Steve Henderson and Mickey Tettleton each hit a two-run home run in a six-run fifth inning and Plunk, coming to the rescue of Curt Young in the sixth inning, did the rest.

Plunk, who was 1-4 with a 5.84 earned-run average as a starter, struck out four and permitted only one baserunner, on a walk in the eighth inning.

The Athletics, who have put extreme pressure on the West-leading Twins, learned Monday that Howell would be out the rest of the season. On Monday night, left-handed rookie Greg Caderet pitched five hitless innings in relief to get the victory. Suddenly, Manager Tony LaRussa may have found a bullpen.

Plunk was overpowering, throwing a 94 m.p.h. fastball that impressed Oriole Manager Cal Ripken.

“I enjoy being a relief pitcher,” Plunk told United Press International. “I’ve been a starter almost my whole career, but the times I was pressed into relief, I enjoyed it. It’s great coming to the park everyday and knowing you have a chance to play.”

At Tacoma, Plunk, 23, had 9 saves, a 1.56 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 34 innings.

“I cut out my windup and threw basically from the stretch all the time,” he said. “And I threw out some of my pitches, too. Now I throw almost all fastballs and curves, although I still have a slider. I’ve been throwing strikes and adjusting to the mental part of the role. This is a new life for me.”

LaRussa has not ruled out the possibility that Plunk may start again.

“He can be overpowering as a reliever,” LaRussa said. “But we still feel he could be a good starter.”

With the score tied, 4-4, Jose Canseco walked and stopped at third on Mark McGwire’s double. Mike Davis hit a bloop double to score two runs and put the A’s ahead to stay.

Detroit 5, Minnesota 4--The Twins can’t win them all at home. They rallied in the eighth at Minneapolis to chase Doyle Alexander and put the tying run on third with just one out.

But Mike Henneman, the new ace of the Tiger bullpen, retired Kirby Puckett on a grounder and struck out Kent Hrbek. He retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up his fourth save.

Chet Lemon and Kirk Gibson each drove in two runs for the Tigers, who maintained their grip on first place in the East.

“(Henneman is) the biggest reason we’re in first place,” Sparky Anderson said. “This kid has done as well as any rookie I’ve seen.”

Boston 7, Chicago 3--At Boston, rookie Sam Horn hit two home runs and Dwight Evans reached the 100-RBI plateau for the second time in his career.

John Marzano also homered for the Red Sox. Evans’ bloop single scored two runs in the third inning. With 101 RBIs, the 35-year-old outfielder is within three of his career high.

Steve Crawford (5-3) pitched 2 innings of relief after Al Nipper left in the fifth when he was struck in the groin area by a line drive.

Texas 15, Kansas City 8--Ruben Sierra hit two of the Rangers’ four home runs in game at Kansas City.

The Rangers built a 7-2 lead, but had to rally with three runs in the seventh to give Steve Howe (1-2) his first victory in two years. Howe gave up one run in 2 innings.

Toronto 6, Seattle 3--Fred McGriff went 3 for 3 with a solo homer and two-run double, and Lloyd Moseby homered into the third deck as the Blue Jays demonstrated their power at Seattle.

McGriff singled in the third inning, and Moseby hit a two-out homer. Moseby’s 22nd home run was the fifth into the Kingdome’s third deck this season. He has three career third-deck homers, the most by a visiting player.

Jim Clancy (11-10) won his first decision since July 12, a span of eight starts.