AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Morris Finishes Strong, Clinches Tie for Twins

It was fitting that Jack Morris pitched the victory that clinched at least a tie for the division championship for the Minnesota Twins in the American League West.

Morris pitched a six-hitter Saturday at Toronto in the Twins’ 5-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, their probable opponent in the championship series.

The defeat didn’t hurt the Blue Jays’ chances in the East. With Boston losing for the fifth time in six games, the Blue Jays hold a 3 1/2-game lead with seven games to play.

Morris has come back from shoulder problems and two losing seasons in which he had a combined 21-32 record. There were many who felt the Twins made a mistake signing the 36-year-old right-hander as a free agent.

But Morris regained his fastball, and the victory over the Blue Jays gave him an 18-12 record and his 10th complete game.

“I was pretty excited after we signed him. I thought he would definitely help us,” catcher Brian Harper said. “It’s important to have a big-name starter for the big-time games.”

Tom Candiotti (13-13) matched Morris until the fifth inning, when a botched double play injured Candiotti and paved the way for a four-run inning. Chili Davis walked to open the inning, but Harper hit a double play ball to first baseman John Olerud. Olerud bobbled the ball and barely got the out on a toss to Candiotti at first base. Harper stepped on Candiotti’s foot and the pitcher suffered an ankle injury.

Shane Mack singled and two runs scored on Greg Gagne’s double. Later in the inning, rookie Chuck Knoblauch singled home two more runs.

After completing play with their East rivals Sept. 8, the Blue Jays led Boston by 5 1/2 games and Detroit by six.

Since then the Blue Jays are 7-9 against the West. But they have lost only two games to the Red Sox in the standings and have gained half a game against Detroit.

Milwaukee 4, Boston 1--The Red Sox are losing more than games. As their pennant hopes fade, they keep losing key players to injuries.

Center fielder Steve Lyons suffered a hamstring injury Friday night and third baseman Wade Boggs had to leave in the fifth inning at Boston because of a sore right shoulder. Carlos Quintana suffered an ankle injury during the first inning and shortstop Luis Riviera sat out the game because of a sore left shoulder.

All four might sit out today’s game.

The Brewers are hurting the Red Sox in the sixth inning. Milwaukee scored six times in the inning Friday night and three times Saturday to give Jaime Navarro (14-12) the victory. He gave up four hits in eight innings.

Texas 6, Oakland 3--Dean Palmer hit a two-out, three-run home run against bullpen ace Dennis Eckersley in the 10th inning at Oakland.

Palmer’s homer bounced off the glove of left fielder Rickey Henderson.

Eckersley, who gave up two home runs in 73 1/3 innings last season when the A’s won the league title, has given up 11 in 74 1/3 this season.

Detroit 5, Baltimore 4--Mike Devereaux and Cal Ripken had hits in the 10th inning at Detroit that prevented Bill Gullickson from becoming the first 20-game winner in the majors this season.

But Lou Whitaker took Gullickson off the hook when he hit a three-run double with two out in the bottom of the inning to keep the Tigers’ slim pennant hopes alive.

Chicago 5, Seattle 2--Robin Ventura hit his 23rd home run and a sacrifice fly at Chicago as the White Sox kept the Twins’ magic number at one.

The White Sox had only five hits, but two of the runs scored on shortstop Jeff Schaffer’s wild throw in the fourth.

Cleveland 5, New York 4--When starter Jeff Johnson had to be replaced in the sixth inning at Cleveland, the Yankees set a record.

It was the 75th consecutive game in which the Yankee starter failed to finish. The record of 74 was set by San Diego in 1977.