American League Roundup : Blue Jays Call on New Relief Star, Henke, and Once Again He Delivers

Although the Toronto Blue Jays have the best record in the major leagues and a four-game lead, a surprising number of baseball people are already conceding the American League East to the New York Yankees.

If the Blue Jays can just find enough chances to use their new bullpen ace, Tom Henke, the Yankees may never catch them. The 6-foot, 5-inch right-hander has done almost a perfect job coming out of the bullpen.

In his ninth appearance since coming up from Syracuse of the International League late last month, Henke pitched two scoreless innings Tuesday night at Cleveland to save a 3-2 victory for Jimmy Key (10-5).

Henke has pitched 16 innings for the Blue Jays. He has not given up a run and has yielded only six hits and four walks. He has won three games, saved four and finished up in two other Toronto victories.

“He’s been just perfect for us, “ Manager Bobby Cox said after the Blue Jays improved their record to 74-45.

“It has been fun, coming up here and doing well,” Henke told the Associated Press. “I’m trying not to put any pressure on myself. I’m not even thinking about being in a pennant race. I’m just trying to do well one hitter at a time, because the worst pressure is what you put on yourself.”

Tony Fernandez was the hitting star for the Blue Jays. The No. 9 hitter in the lineup was 2 for 4, scored one run and drove in the other two.

With the score tied, 2-2, and one out in the seventh, Jesse Barfield tripled to center. Fernandez ripped a single to score Barfield and beat Roy Smith.

Chicago 2, Kansas City 1--Frank White has been considered the best second baseman in the American League for several years. But even the best can falter.

In this game at Chicago, White booted Luis Salazar’s squib grounder with two out in the ninth inning and the winning run crossed the plate.

After fumbling the ball, White fired quickly to first but umpire Durwood Merrill ruled Salazar beat it out. “It was a tough play,” White said, “but I thought we had him. I argued with the umpire, but I guess it was time to go home.”

The bobble made a loser out of bullpen star Dan Quisenberry and Bob James was the winner. James took over after Tom Seaver held the Royals to five hits and a run in eight innings.

The Royals lost outfielder Willie Wilson in the third inning when he was struck in the neck on a throw by catcher Carlton Fisk of the White Sox when Wilson was stealing second. Stunned by the blow, Wilson was tagged out. He spent the night in a hospital, but the injury was not believed to be serious.

Milwaukee 3, Minnesota 2--The record book will show that former Dodger reliever Steve Howe lost this game at Milwaukee, his second defeat since joining the Twins. But he deserved a better fate.

John Butcher had a 2-0 lead going into the ninth. Howe took over after Robin Yount singled and he gave up a single to Cecil Cooper. However, Ben Oglivie hit a potential double play grounder to short and shortstop Alvaro Espinoza threw the ball into short right. First baseman Kent Hrbek retrieved the ball and threw home, but catcher Tim Laudner dropped the ball, allowing the tying run to score. After an intentional walk, Ron Davis replaced Howe and got Bill Schroeder to hit into a double play. But Rich Manning singled and the Brewers had a victory.

Texas 3, Boston 1--Charlie Hough pitched a five-hitter at Boston, and Toby Harrah hit a home run to enable the Rangers to end a six-game losing streak.

Hough, who struck out seven and did not walk a batter, had a three-hit shutout until the ninth when two singles and a Jim Rice flyball gave the Red Sox a run. In nine starts since July 5, Hough (12-12) is 7-2.

Detroit 4, Oakland 1--The Tigers had only five hits at Oakland, but two of them were home runs by Larry Herndon and Tom Brookens and they beat Tim Birtsas (9-4).

Walt Terrell (12-6) gave up seven hits in 7 innings and Willie Hernandez finished up to earn his 26th save. Hernandez struck out two of the four batters he faced.

Seattle 4, Baltimore 3--Gorman Thomas walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Mariners a 4-3 victory and snap the Orioles’ six-game winning streak.