American League Roundup : Yankees Finally Find Way to Beat Tigers, 7-3

One of the reasons the New York Yankees keep Claudell Washington around is that he can do a creditable job in all three outfield positions.

About the only time the Yankees use the 15-year veteran is when someone is injured. With Rickey Henderson hobbled by various injuries, Washington has had a busy and a productive month.

Washington had three hits, including a double and triple, and drove in three runs to lead the Yankees to a 7-3 victory Wednesday night, their first win in six tries against the Detroit Tigers.

Washington, 33, was going for the cycle in the seventh, but struck out. By that time the Yankees, with Jack Clark hitting a two-run home run, had the game in hand.

The Yankees got seven innings of shutout pitching from three relief pitchers and cut the Tigers’ lead in the East to two games. The teams don’t meet again until Sept. 8.

Washington, who had four hits Sunday, including a game-winning single, almost joined Henderson on the sidelines. Leading off for the Yankees, he fouled a pitch off his right foot.

But he got up and, in the second inning he hit a double with the bases loaded to drive in two runs and give the Yankees the lead for good.

Washington has hit .415 in June.

“I usually start out as the 24th player, barely making the team,” Washington said. “But they always find out that I can still be of help.”

Steve Shields (1-2) relieved starter Richard Dotson in the third inning and was the winner. But, after 2 innings, he hurt his right knee and had to leave. Neil Allen and Cecilio Guante finished up.

Toronto 4, Baltimore 2--Left-hander Jimmy Key, who was just about perfect during his rehabilitation program in the class-A Florida State League, was only slightly less that in his return to the Blue Jays.

Key, 17-8 last season, gave up just four hits in 6 innings at Baltimore, in his first start since April 14. Key (3-1) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his elbow May 4, so the Blue Jays took him out after 91 pitches.

An error by Baltimore second baseman Billy Ripken after 34 errorless games helped the Blue Jays break the game open with three runs in the seventh.

Boston 5, Cleveland 1--Roger Clemens ignored a groin injury and put an end to his Fenway Park jinx.

Clemens who had lost four straight at home, held the Indians to 3 hits in 7 innings and struck out 10.

Clemens (11-5) had to leave in the third inning of his previous start because of the groin injury, so when rain stopped play for 71 minutes in the seventh, the Red Sox replaced him with Lee Smith.

Ellis Burks hit a three-run home run in the third inning. That was all Clemens needed to run his lifetime record against the Indians to 8-0.

“My last few times out here I was not really concentrating. I zoned in more tonight,” Clemens said.

“I wanted to give the team a strong performance before we go on a road trip. I was a little sluggish, maybe tentative starting out. Then I got really loose and in the flow.”

Mike Greenwell, who has led the recent surge of the Red Sox, had his hitting streak stopped at 19 games.

Oakland 7, Milwaukee 2--Bob Welch is rapidly becoming the ace of the Athletics’ staff.

Welch (10-4) came back with just three days rest to pitch a six-hitter at Oakland.

“I’m tired,” said Welch, who salvaged the one A’s victory in the Minnesota series last Saturday. “This was a big win for us because we’re starting a long road trip and it gives us the series with the Brewers.”

Dave Henderson’s three-run home run in the seventh was the big blow for Oakland. Mike Gallego, playing at third base in place of the slumping Carney Lansford, also had a home run.

Kansas City 9, Chicago 8--Things are not going so good for a team when it has an eight-run inning and loses.

The White Sox were trailing, 9-0, when they rallied in the seventh inning at Kansas City.

Jamie Quirk opened the home half of the fifth inning with his third home run of the season to break a scoreless tie.

George Brett hit his 13th home run, a two-run blast, in the same inning and Danny Tartabull hit the next pitch after Brett’s home run for his 13th home run.

Harold Baines homered for the White Sox.

Texas 1, Seattle 0--Charlie Hough pitched 11 scoreless innings and pinch-hitter Barbaro Garbey hit a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning to lift the Rangers to a victory over the Mariners at Seattle.

Hough (8-7) allowed seven hits, struck out eight and walked three. After Glenn Wilson hit a single to lead off the 12th, Mitch Williams replaced Hough and got the final three outs for his 11th save.

Texas leads the league with eight shutouts.