American League Roundup : He Started Out Badly, but Yankees Can’t Call Him ‘Rocky’ Rhoden

Rick Rhoden, after a rocky start in the American League, has established himself as the New York Yankees’ most dependable starting pitcher.

The 34-year-old right-hander was tough in the clutch Tuesday night at New York and improved his record to 13-6 when he pitched the Yankees to a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Rhoden gave up eight hits in pitching only his third complete game in 22 starts, but it was his fourth win in his last five starts.

The Yankees, desperate for pitching help, obtained Rhoden in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates last winter. In a career that began with the Dodgers in 1974, Rhoden has won 121 games, including 15 for the last-place Pirates in 1986.

In his first month with the Yankees, he was 2-3. In 27 innings, he gave up 17 runs and 31 hits. Fans wondered if Rhoden would be a repeat of Ed Whitson.

Whitson, signed as a free agent by the Yankees before the 1985 season, had more than just pitching problems. Fans got on him, and he was even threatened. He was gone by the middle of last season.

But Rhoden shook off the poor start to become a consistent performer. In almost every start, he has given the Yankees a strong six or seven innings. It is what they have needed to remain on top in the tight AL East race.

This was a struggle all the way, although Rhoden thought he had his best fastball of the season. The Yankees scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Mark Gubicza (10-8), and Rhoden was always pitching under pressure.

“I don’t understand it, and it was no fun,” Rhoden said. “It was hard work.”

He finished with a flourish, retiring the last nine batters. He gave up only one extra-base hit, but he had to do his best work after Willie Wilson opened the fifth with a triple. Rhoden struck out Kevin Seitzer, retired George Brett on a short fly to right and retired Jim Eisenreich on a groundout.

Detroit 3, Chicago 1--The Tigers just keep putting pressure on the Yankees. Rookie Jeff Robinson (7-4) pitched a five-hitter for his first win at Detroit and the Tigers’ fifth victory in a row.

Darrell Evans hit his 21st home run as the Tigers remained a half-game behind the Yankees.

Robinson struck out 10. He gave up a walk and a single with one out in the first, then retired 13 batters in a row. He had a 3-0 lead before he hit a batter and gave up a double to Fred Manrique for Chicago’s only run, in the fifth.

Toronto 5, Boston 4--As long as Tom Henke’s arm holds up, the Blue Jays are also ready to bid for the East title.

The big reliever pitched a scoreless ninth to gain his league-leading 23rd save. Henke has 10 saves this month and has earned a save in 10 of his last 11 opportunities.

Jesse Barfield singled home Lloyd Moseby from second with the winning run in the eighth inning at Toronto to give the Blue Jays their fifth win in the last six games.

“I’m due to come through in some of those situations,” Barfield said. “I’ve left too many men on base.”

Fred McGriff hit a two-run home run for the Blue Jays, a 440-foot blast in the second.

Cleveland 4, Baltimore 3--At Cleveland, rookie Tommy Hinzo’s speed led to the defeat of former reliever Dodger Tom Niedenfuer.

Niedenfuer came on after Scott McGregor, in his first appearance since being recalled from the minor leagues, departed after seven innings with a 3-2 lead. Niedenfuer gave up the tying run in the ninth on a triple by Brook Jacoby and a sacrifice fly.

With two out in the 10th, Hinzo singled, stole second and raced home on Pat Tabler’s single.

Milwaukee 9, Texas 2--Paul Molitor hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning, and Robin Yount hit a two-run home run in the seventh at Arlington, Tex., and the Brewers ended the Rangers’ four-game winning streak.

Chris Bosio (7-2) gave up five hits in six innings, and Mark Clear pitched the last three innings to earn his fourth save.

Seattle 6, Minnesota 1--Gary Mathews hit a two-run homer and Phil Bradley went 4 for 4, backing Mike Morgan’s four-hit pitching, as the Mariners ended a four-game losing streak by beating the Twins at Seattle.

Morgan (8-11) walked three and struck out none in his sixth complete game of the season. Joe Niekro (5-8) lost his fourth straight decision, giving up five runs on 11 hits in six-plus innings.