American League Roundup : Lyons Takes Center Stage; Red Sox Top Twins

The return home after a disastrous trip didn’t appear promising for the Boston Red Sox. They had lost four in a row, 11 of their last 14 games and Tony Armas, the major league’s leading home run hitter, was out with a wrist injury.

Furthermore, they had to put rookie Steve Lyons, mostly a third baseman in his minor league career, in center field Monday for his first major league start.

It was a day Lyons and the Red Sox won’t soon forget. The former Oregon State star hammered two home runs over the famous left-field wall at Fenway Park and drove in four runs to lead the Red Sox to a 9-2 victory over the slumping Minnesota Twins. It was the sixth defeat in a row for the Twins.

Lyons, who will be 25 next week, learned after batting practice he would replace a fellow who already has hit 13 home runs this season. Previously, as a pinch-hitter and a late-inning replacement at third for Wade Boggs, Lyons was 2 for 14.

As the Boston lead-off batter, Lyons opened with a single. In his second at-bat, leading off the third inning, he hit his first home run to break a 1-1 tie and give the Red Sox the lead for good. His three-run smash highlighted a five-run eighth.

“I just hoped it would be a memorable day,” Lyons said, “and I think it will be. Everyone dreams of getting his first home run, but hitting two out in one game makes it so much nicer.”

Boggs and Bill Buckner each had four hits in the 16-hit assault on the Twins. With his four singles, Buckner drove in three runs.

But the day belonged to Lyons. A first-round draft choice in June, 1981, he failed to distinguish himself in four seasons in the minors. His best average was .268 at Pawtucket, R.I., of the International League last year. In 1983, he even pitched relief in three games for Bristol, Conn., of the Eastern League.

Although he hit 17 home runs last season, it wasn’t until this spring that Lyons began to blossom. He was the camp phenom. He performed spectacularly in the field, hit well and with power. Because of his versatility--he’s played every position except catcher--the Red Sox decided to keep him as a utility player.

“I had been dreaming of making the big leagues since I was 3,” he said. “In the spring I felt I was knocking on the door.”

General Manager Lou Gorman wanted to send him back to the minors for another season of playing regularly. But Manager John McNamara insisted they should go with the 25 best players. It appears to have been a sound decision.

“I may have to change my thinking about the way I’m going to use Lyons,” McNamara said. “He gives you the added dimension of speed, and today he showed what kind of power he has.”

Lyons may be in center field for a while. Armas, who injured his left wrist Saturday when he ran into the fence at Arlington, Tex., tried to play Sunday but left after going 0 for 3. He is scheduled to have the wrist X-rayed.

Just in case, though, Lyons has added a catcher’s mitt to his collection of gloves and will be ready to play at any position.

Cleveland 8, Milwaukee 0--It is generally conceded that Bert Blyleven has one of the best curveballs in baseball. In putting an end to the Indians’ skid in this game at Milwaukee, Blyleven showed the Brewers his famous curve and got them out with the fastball.

“A lot of hitters go up there looking for the curveball because I’m not afraid to throw it,” Blyleven said after striking out 10 and winning his 49th shutout. “Today I had a good fastball when I was warming up in the bullpen. I just tried to get ahead of the hitters and get them out with the fastball.”

He gave the Brewers, one of the hottest hitting teams in the majors, just three hits after retiring the first 11 batters he faced. In their previous 20 games, the Brewers batted .300, hit 11 home runs and scored 98 runs.

The Indians had lost five in a row and 8 of 11 on their recent home stand.

Seattle 5, Detroit 2--After his second impressive performance in a row in this game at Seattle, Matt Young feels he is getting his game together.

Young followed up last week’s three-hit, 10-strikeout performance against the Yankees by handcuffing the world champions. He held them to four hits in six innings and had a 5-0 lead.

He gave up four singles in the seventh and gave way to Karl Best, who retired the last seven Tigers.

“What makes me feel good,” Young said, “is that I’ve only walked one batter in 16 innings and have struck out 16. That’s a good ratio.”

Dan Petry was trying for his ninth victory, but four Tiger errors made two of the four runs he gave up in five innings unearned.

Kansas City 4, Texas 2--George Brett continued his hot RBI spree, driving in three more at Kansas City to help the Royals win their sixth in a row. In the six games Brett has driven in 15 runs.

It seems that every time Willie Wilson and Lonnie Smith get on base, Brett drives them in.

“Just wait till they get hot,” Brett said. “Lonnie’s below .200 and Willie’s below .300.”

Dan Quisenberry pitched three scoreless innings to save Bret Saberhagen’s fifth victory.

Oakland 2, New York 1--The A’s split the four-game series at Oakland with the Yankees. They beat bullpen ace, Dave Righetti, in both victories.

In this one, Dwayne Murphy, led off the bottom of the 10th by hitting a 3-1 pitch for his sixth home run of the season. In the opener Thursday, Righetti walked Steve Henderson with the bases loaded in the ninth.

Former Dodger Dusty Baker singled in the first Oakland run in the fourth. Baker has 21 hits and 20 runs batted in.