American League Roundup : Sellers Cruises, But He May Be Replaced Soon

The Red Sox’ Tony Armas hit a two-run home run in the second inning at Baltimore Sunday to help Jeff Sellers, a 22-year-old right-hander from Long Beach, to an 8-3 victory over the slumping Orioles.

It was the first victory this season for Sellers, a former Paramount High School star, but with the acquisition of Tom Seaver, he may not get another start soon.

“We had heard about the Seaver trade in the clubhouse before the game and everyone was excited,” Sellers said. “I knew they were in a mood to score runs. When Tony hit the home run that made it 4-0, I was determined to make them enough.”

There had been talk that Armas, who had only one home run in his first 47 games, would be included in the Seaver trade. But he hit two home runs in the three-game sweep of the Orioles, and with the Red Sox up by eight, things are looking good.

“I wasn’t the only one rumored in that trade,” Armas said. “Everyone points out that I only have three home runs, but they forget more than half the season remains. My goal is just to have a good second half.”

Sellers gave up nine hits, including home runs to Lee Lacy and Cal Ripken, but impressed Manager John McNamara.

“He doesn’t strike out many but he was in command,” McNamara said. “He’s pretty impressive for a 22 year old.”

The Orioles have lost five in a row and 15 of their last 20 to fall 10 games behind the Red Sox.

“I’m confused,” Manager Earl Weaver. “The reason I’m confused is that I like my team. I like the attitude on the bench, and I’m pleased with the effort. The only thing I can do is go home, jump in the swimming pool and hope I don’t come back up.”

Minnesota 9, Kansas City 4--It is not a good season for Cy Young Award winners. Dwight Gooden is struggling in the National League, but he is sizzling compared to Bret Saberhagen.

Saberhagen, the American League Cy Young Award winner last season, was blasted out of the box before he could retire a batter in the second inning at Minneapolis. He gave up five runs in the first inning, including a three-run home run by Roy Smalley.

He put 8 of the 11 batters he faced on base and they all scored. Saberhagen’s record fell to 4-9 and his ERA soared to 4.13.

“I feel I’m throwing as well as last year, but the stats don’t show it,” he said. “My curve is a little better, my fastball is the same and my change-up probably isn’t quite as good.”

Toronto 6, New York 3--The Blue Jays are starting to play the way they did a year ago, but all they’re doing is passing slumping teams. They aren’t gaining on the Red Sox.

Toronto scored three runs n the ninth inning to hand the Yankees their 10th loss in a row at home and give the Blue Jays a sweep of the three-game series.

Although they trail the Red Sox by 9 1/2, the Blue Jays are now third, just 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees.

Detroit 9-1, Milwaukee 5-3--Lou Whitaker’s two-run home run in a five-run second inning of the first game of a doubleheader at Milwaukee enabled Sparky Anderson to become the first manager to win 600 games in both major leagues. But Ted Higuera took the edge off the celebration by holding the Tigers to four hits in 8 innings of the nightcap.

In becoming a 10-game winner, Higuera ended the Brewers’ five-game losing streak. The Tigers knocked him out in 2 innings in his previous start.

“A World Series win in each league, 600 wins and two different clubs to win 100 in a season, that’s pretty good,” Anderson said. “Now, I want 3,000 victories.”

Seattle 9, Texas 3--Hot-hitting Jim Presley hit a home run and a double and drove in four runs at Seattle and Mike Moore (4-7) pitched his sixth complete game.

Presley has driven in 24 runs in the last 22 games and is third in the league with 57 RBIs.

Chicago 6, Oakland 5--John Cangelosi’s sacrifice fly in the 10th inning at Oakland gave the White Sox the victory.

Jose Canseco’s two-out double drove in the tying run in the bottom of the ninth after an error by second baseman Julio Cruz gave Canseco the chance.