Cool Stottlemyre Freezes Out Jays

American League

This time, Todd Stottlemyre was able to channel his anger into his pitches instead of against a locker-room chair.

Stottlemyre, making his first appearance against his former club, recovered from a slow start to strike out 10 in seven strong innings Wednesday as the Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-4 at Oakland Alameda Colisium.

Rickey Henderson scored three runs and drove in another with a double as the A’s compiled their biggest run total since June 30.

Stottlemyre (8-2), who spent his first seven seasons with Toronto, has a strikeout total of 111 this season, third-best in the American League.

“Stottlemyre just raises everybody’s level of intensity,” said A’s manager Tony La Russa. “If everybody goes after it like Todd Stottlemyre, we’ll all enjoy it so much more. This guy is as good as any pitcher in this league right now.”

After his last start, a loss in which a disputed call led to a big inning against Stottlemyre, he threw a tantrum in the locker room, screaming curses at a reporter and tossing a chair.

Yankees 9, Royals 1

New York

Russ Davis sparked a six-run second inning with a three-run homer as New York routed Kansas City.

Jim Leyritz had four RBIs, singling in two runs in a three-run fourth, when newly acquired reliever Dave Fleming wild-pitched home the third run.

White Sox 8, Brewers 2

Chicago

Ron Karkovice hit a three-run homer and Wilson Alvarez pitched seven strong innings as Chicago snapped a four-game losing streak.

Chicago’s Ron Karkovice, mired in a 1-for-23 slump, homered off rookie knuckleballer Steve Sparks (5-4) to cap a four-run fourth inning. Lance Johnson also homered. Ray Durham had three RBIs.