American League Roundup : A Slump-Mired Rice Leads 5-3 Boston Win

Veteran slugger Jim Rice of the Boston Red Sox is trying to break out of one of the worst slumps of his 11-year career.

Rice, who has been hearing more boos than cheers from hometown fans, drove in three runs with a pair of singles at Boston Thursday to lead the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

“The guy has been having his problems, but he’s always bearing down,� Boston Manager John McNamara said. “Maybe a couple of hits like that will get him going.�

Rice had only 3 hits in 26 at-bats and one RBI in six previous games, but he broke a 1-1 tie with a ground single through the middle with two out in the fifth inning.

In the seventh, with runners on second and third and one out, he blooped a single to shallow center for two more runs.

Boston’s Wade Boggs extended his hitting streak to 28 games--the longest in the major leagues since 1980--with a ground single through the middle in the first inning.

It was the fifth straight victory for Boston, the fifth straight defeat for Seattle.

Baltimore 5, Chicago 1--Eddie Murray hit a grand slam, and Mike Flanagan and Sammy Stewart combined on a three-hitter to give the Orioles their victory at Chicago.

Murray’s 16th homer of the season and 11th career grand slam came on the first pitch after loser Floyd Bannister (5-8) had walked two batters to load the bases. The blast hit the facade of the upper deck.

Flanagan (1-1) was making his second start of the season after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. He struck out seven batters in eight innings.

Oakland 11, Milwaukee 2--Tim Birtsas (7-2) pitched an eight-hitter for his first major league complete game, walking three and striking out three at Milwaukee--with a lot of help from his friends.

Bruce Bochte hit a three-run homer (his sixth) in a five-run sixth inning, and Dwayne Murphy hit a triple and drove in two runs as the A’s played power ball.

Detroit 7, Minnesota 2--Jack Morris, who is among the American League leaders in shutouts, complete games, innings pitched and wins, struck out five and walked three to give the Tigers the victory at Minnesota.

Randy Bush spoiled his bid for a shutout with a two-run homer (his ninth) in the eighth inning. Morris (11-6) finished with a four-hitter.

The Tiger right-hander recorded his 10th complete game and is 9-0 at Minneapolis, 6-0 in the Metrodome, and 14-4 in his career against the Twins.

“Is that right, 9-0 here?� Morris asked. “I can’t believe it. There’s no reason to explain it. I have a lot of respect for Minnesota; they’re a good hitting club. Maybe that’s why I do so well here.�

In addition to his six wins in the Metrodome, Morris was 3-0 at old Metropolitan Stadium. His only loss in the Metrodome came in this year’s All-Star game.

“It’s probably the best stuff I’ve had all year, certainly the best in the last four or five starts,� said Morris, 30, who struck out five to boost his season strikeout total to 121, second in the league to Bert Blyleven’s 124. “It’s the best fastball I’ve had in quite a while.�