Baseball Roundup : Bunt Extends Molitor Streak to 32

The Milwaukee Brewers’ Paul Molitor extended his hitting streak to 32 games, the longest in the American League in 38 years, with a third-inning bunt single Monday night in a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Cleveland.

Molitor, who has the longest streak in the majors since Pete Rose hit in 44 straight games in 1978 for the Cincinnati Reds, dropped a perfect bunt toward third base and easily beat pitcher Scott Bailes’ throw for his only hit in three at-bats. It was Molitor’s first bunt hit during the streak.

“I think he was going for the single (rather than a sacrifice),� Indian Manager Doc Edwards said. “I don’t blame him. It was clean. I don’t care if it was a bunt.�

Molitor’s streak has been entirely as a designated hitter, and is the longest run in the American League since Dom DiMaggio hit in 34 straight games in 1949 for the Boston Red Sox. During the streak, Molitor is 54 for 132 for a .409 average. This season, he is batting .362.

Mark Knudson (3-3) got the win for the Brewers in his first career complete game.

The 26-year-old right-hander struck out two and walked none.

Minnesota 4, Seattle 2--The Twins, the only division leader to play Monday, won at Minneapolis as Tom Brunansky hit a two-run homer and Gary Gaetti added two doubles.

The victory gives Minnesota a 9-2 record on the home stand.

Les Straker (6-7) went 6 innings for the win before giving way to Keith Atherton and then Jeff Reardon, who got his 24th save. Mark Langston (13-10) took the loss despite striking out seven to raise his league-leading total to 191.

Minnesota took a 3-0 lead in the first inning when Dan Gladden singled, advanced on a sacrifice and stolen base and scored on Gaetti’s double. Brunansky followed with a two-run home run, his 25th.

Jim Presley brought Seattle within 3-2 in the fourth with a two-run homer, but the Twins increased the lead back to 4-2 in the fifth as Al Newman scored on a walk, Gaetti’s double and a throwing error by Harold Reynolds.

Reardon, the Twins’ bullpen ace, entered with two outs in the eighth and runners on second and third. He went to a 2-and-0 count on Gary Matthews before throwing three fastballs past Matthews to end the inning.

“I had him exactly where I wanted him--two balls and no strikes,� Matthews said. “The three I swung at were balls, but I didn’t go up there looking for a walk. He knew that. He’s as tough as any pitcher I’ve faced.�

The Minnesota staff had 24 saves last year.

Houston 11, Atlanta 2--Mike Scott pitched a six-hitter and struck out 10 in eight innings at Houston for his first victory over the Braves since April of 1984.

Scott, who is 3-10 lifetime against Atlanta, led the Astros to a four-game sweep of the Braves by striking out 10 or more for the seventh time this season. He has 191 strikeouts this year, breaking a tie with teammate Nolan Ryan for the National League lead.

Houston, which outscored the Braves, 33-8, in the series, went ahead, 2-0, in the first inning with three straight hits off left-hander Tom Glavine, who was making his major league debut. The Astros extended the lead to 6-0 in the fourth.

Billy Hatcher, who went 4 for 6, was 11 for 17 in the series.

Chicago 2, Boston 1--Dave LaPoint improved his record to 2-0 since being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals July 30 with a six-hitter over seven innings at Chicago.

“I really feel rejuvenated since being traded and have a new lease on life, because I’ve been able to make it as a starter,� LaPoint said. “Knock on wood, this is the fourth game in a row I’ve had a good changeup . . .�

Boston’s Jeff Sellers (4-6) took the loss, his fifth in the last six starts.

Kansas City 7, Texas 6--Thad Bosley, batting for Bo Jackson, who had struck out four times, singled off Steve Howe to score Frank White with the winning run with two out in the top of the ninth inning and give the Royals the win at Arlington, Tex.