The Week (aug. 15-21)

AL EAST

"Every time I catch we draw 50,000 people," is how Bruce Kimm explains the record-breaking crowds in Detroit (3-4). Of course, Kimm cannot keep a straight face since he seldom plays unless the man everybody really comes to see, rookie sensation Mark Fidrych, is on the mound. Their partnership began in the minor leagues and last week Kimm repaid Fidrych for some of that reflected glory by socking his first major league home run. There were 51,822 screaming fans in Tiger Stadium at the time and Kimm's homer helped The Bird win his 14th game of the season. The last rookie to win 20 was Bob Grim of the Yankees in 1954.

A barrage of 10 homers in six games gave New York (3-3) the league lead of 95 in that department. Oscar Gamble had three, Graig Nettles and Roy White two apiece and Shortstop Fred Stanley unloaded his first round-tripper since Sept. 8, 1973.

The Red Sox (4-4) staggered home from a road-trip closer to last place than first and Outfielder Jim Rice's performance showed what a difference a year can make. Rice stranded eight runners in one game and went 11 games without an RBI. Back home in Fenway Park, Boston took a 2-1 thriller from Oakland in the ninth when Butch Hobson drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. Luis Tiant outdueled Mike Torrez and Rollie Fingers to earn his 14th victory and Manager Don Zimmer said, "If we hadn't won that one, we probably never would have won another."

Baltimore had only a so-so week (4-3) although it was usually well ahead after three innings. Leading Chicago 6-2 after three in one game, the Orioles finished with 10 runs and 22 hits and still lost, 11-10.

Utility Infielder Jack Heidemann and Centerfielder Gorman Thomas, both hitting in the low .200s, won games for Milwaukee (4-3), Heidemann with a two-run single against the A's and Thomas with a three-run homer against Kansas City.

A wave of nostalgia must have swept over ex-slugger Boog Powell of Cleveland (4-4), who socked his fifth home run in the last 11 games, giving him seven for the year.

NY 72-47 BALT 62-57 CLEV 59-62 DET 58-63 BOST 57-63 MIL 53-64

AL WEST

The Oakland A's (2-4) lost control of their tempers as they fell 9� games behind Kansas City and saw their chances for a sixth consecutive division title all but disappear. The frustration even affected Designated Hitter Billy Williams, usually a mild-mannered soul, who flew off the handle at a pair of strike calls by Plate Umpire Bill Kunkel. When Williams was slow returning to the batter's box, Kunkel signaled Pitcher Danny Frisella to throw the ball and. in accordance with baseball rules, Kunkel then called Williams out on strikes. In the ensuing argument he tossed Williams out of a game for the first time in his 17-year career. Undaunted, A's Owner Charlie Finley proclaimed, "Put a big sign in the clubhouse that reads ' Kansas City Is Gonna Choke.' "