AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Orioles Show Rangers Second Ace, 7-0

Ben McDonald was almost as good as Mike Mussina. They both were too good for the Texas Rangers.

McDonald pitched a two-hitter in the best game of his career and Baltimore beat Texas, 7-0, Saturday night in Arlington, Tex., giving the Orioles consecutive shutouts for the first time in almost seven seasons.

A day after Mussina blanked Texas, 8-0, with a one-hitter, McDonald (9-6) did nearly as well. The Orioles last pitched consecutive shutouts Aug. 29-30, 1985, against the Seattle Mariners.

McDonald gave up singles in the first and second innings, then retired the next 14 batters. He struck out five and walked one in the fourth shutout of his career.

“The key tonight was my mechanics,” McDonald said. “I’ve been letting the four-seam fastball come back across the plate lately. It was true tonight.”

McDonald’s best previous games were two four-hitters last year. This season, the 24-year-old right-hander was 1-4 in his last eight games before the All-Star break, and has given up 23 home runs--the most in the majors.

“He has the capability to pitch a two-hit shutout every time out,” Baltimore Manager John Oates said. “That’s as good as I’ve ever seen him pitch. It’s a lift for the whole ballclub.”

Jose Guzman (7-8) took the loss.

Boston 1, Minnesota 0--Roger Clemens pitched a two-hitter, earning his first victory since June 6 and carrying the Red Sox over the Twins at Minneapolis.

Clemens (10-6) bested Scott Erickson (6-7) in a matchup of pitchers who finished 1-2 in 1991’s Cy Young voting.

In tossing his fourth shutout of the season and 33rd of his career, he gave up only Shane Mack’s second-inning infield hit and Gene Larkin’s fifth-inning bloop single for the eighth two-hitter of his career. Clemens struck out five, walked none, retired the last 14 batters and didn’t let a runner advance past first base.

Detroit 5, Oakland 2--Rob Deer homered twice and was four for four before leaving with an ankle injury, and Dan Gladden’s run-scoring single broke a sixth-inning tie to give the Tigers their second consecutive victory against the Athletics in Oakland.

Cecil Fielder and Travis Fryman also homered for the Tigers. Deer’s fifth two-homer game brought his season total to 23, second in the majors behind Mark McGwire’s 28.

In the ninth inning, Deer singled but had to leave the game with an assist from teammates when he twisted his left ankle while trying to steal second.

Mark Leiter (6-4) gave up two runs, one earned, in five-plus innings.

Mike Moore (10-8) ended a three-game winning streak by giving up four runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Kansas City 4, Cleveland 1--Kevin Appier recorded his career-best eighth consecutive victory and the Royals defeated the Indians at Kansas City for their fourth victory in a row.

Appier (11-3) gave up six hits, struck out five and did not issue a walk in 7 2/3 innings. Jack Armstrong (2-13) remained winless in 10 starts on the road and the Indians lost their fourth game in the last five.

Appier, among the league leaders in ERA, strikeouts and opponent batting average, has won 10 of 11 starts and is one victory away from matching Seattle’s Dave Fleming for the longest winning streak in the majors this season. Rusty Meacham got the last four outs for his second save.

Milwaukee 3, Chicago 1--Scott Fletcher hit a two-run double in the seventh inning and Ricky Bones outpitched All-Star Jack McDowell as the Brewers beat the White Sox at Chicago.

Bones (6-5) gave up six hits in 7 2/3 innings, struck out four and walked none. Doug Henry pitched the ninth for his 18th save in 21 chances.

McDowell (12-5) lost for the first time in seven decisions against the Brewers, including a one-hitter last season in Milwaukee. McDowell, who had won five of his last six decisions, gave up seven hits in his seventh complete game.

Toronto 3, Seattle 0--Juan Guzman, leading the AL in ERA and strikeouts, pitched seven shutout innings as the Blue Jays beat the Mariners at Seattle.

Guzman (12-2), who worked one scoreless inning in the All-Star game, gave up four hits and struck out nine. He has a 2.00 ERA and 131 strikeouts, and improved to 22-5 in his career.

Duane Ward relieved to start the eighth and Tom Henke pitched the ninth for his 16th save. The trio combined on a five-hitter and struck out 13.

Seattle rookie Fleming (11-4) gave up seven hits in his third complete game. He struck out five and walked one.

Joe Carter gave Guzman all he needed with an RBI single in the first inning.