LINTON THROWS 3-HITTER TO LEAD SAGGING TORONTO TO WIN OVER BALTIMORE

Just when Toronto needed a quality start to bolster its sagging rotation, enter rookie Doug Linton.

The 26-year-old right-hander allowed just a pair of runs on three hits over eight innings in his first major league start Thursday, leading the Blue Jays to a 4-2 win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles.Joe Carter slugged his 26th homer, and Roberto Alomar and Candy Maldonado each drove in a run in the eighth to snap a 2-2 tie.

"I've only been here one week," said Linton, who actually was called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Aug. 1 when Juan Guzman went down with a shoulder injury, "but I hope this will help pick them up."

In Toronto's previous 10 games, its starting rotation had posted a 9. 50 ERA, with the club 3-7 during that stretch.

Linton, 1-1, struck out four, walked one and allowed just four baserunners. Mike Devereaux singled in the first inning but was caught stealing. Glen Davis clubbed his 10th homer to open the second and, after Randy Milligan walked, Linton set down the next 15 batters before Cal Ripken doubled to open the seventh.

"I set them up with my fastball, backing people off the plate," said Linton, who had made three relief appearences with Toronto after posting a 12-9 record as a starter in the International League.

By winning for just the fourth time in 11 games, the Blue Jays salvaged a split of their four-game series and stretched their lead over the Orioles to two games in the American League East.

"It's the same two-game spread as when we got here and four games less to play," said Baltimore Manager Johnny Oates. "We'll know who this series benefitted most on Oct. 4, but nothing convinced me that they have us beat."

With the score tied 2-2, Devon White opened the bottom of the eighth by looping a single to left off Arthur Rhodes, 4-2, and Alomar followed with an RBI double into the gap in left center. Todd Frohwirth relieved and, after Joe Carter bunted Alomar to third, Dave Winfield walked. Maldonado followed with a single off Frohwirth's foot, scoring Alomar.

Athletics 4, Angels 1

At Oakland, Mark McGwire smashed his major league-leading 36th and 37th home runs, while Mike Moore retired the final 16 batters on the way to a three-hitter. McGwire led off the second inning with his first homer of the game, a two-run shot off Jim Abbott, snapping a 1-1 tie. Moore, 12-9, struck out five in hurling his second complete game of the season.

Rangers 6, Twins 1