European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 22, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I Mcdonald Gem gives o s Lead in Al East orioles Ben Mcdonald. First career 1-hitter Baltimore a one of these Days Ben Mcdonald just might throw a no hitter. For now he s quite Content to throw a one hitter for a first place  pitched his first career one hitter tues Day night As the Baltimore orioles took Over the top spot in the Al East by beating the Kansas City royals7-0. The Victory pushed the orioles a half game ahead of Toronto and new York the first time they be Benin first place since june 19,1992. Mcdonald was Brilliant Matching his career High with nine strikeouts while walking three. The royals Only hit came in the fourth inning when Gary Gaetti lined a clean single to left on an 0-1 pitch. I m Happy with it. Hopefully one Day Iii throw a no hitter Mcdonald said. Gaetti hit a pretty Good pitch. I threw a fastball on the outside of the plate and he guessed right and hit it to  Mcdonald 7-8 retired 13 of the final 14 batters in his first Complete game and shutout since july 18,1992. He is the first Oriole to allow three earned runs or Lessin 14 straight starts since Jim Palmer did it in 1972, i went through a dead Arm period my last three starts. I think i m Over it now he said. I Felt really Strong  it showed. The royals did not get a runner past first base after the second inning. It was his night Kansas City shortstop Greg gag Esaid. You have to tip your hat to him. It s one of the Best pitched games against us All  Mcdonald was 26 when the orioles fell to 21-30 on june 1. Since that time he s 5-2 and Baltimore is 31-12. The important thing is not so much the standings but How Well the bal club has been playing manager Johnny Oates said. To me first place on july 20means absolutely  the royals have lost three straight and four of  have been blanked three times this season twice by the orioles.  was All working tonight Mcdonald said. I Hada real Good fastball Good velocity threw the curve Ball when i wanted to. And the Slider was t anything to sneeze at either Baltimore took a 1-0 Lead in the second inning when Harold Baines hit a 2-2 pitch from David Cone 6-9 Over the Center Field Wall Tor his seventh Home run. The orioles sent 10 players to the plate in a six run eighth. The stars and stripes july 22,1993 Page 32 Thomas signs Bills pact for $13.5 million Fredonia . A Buffalo Thurman Thomas became the highest paid running Back in nil history wednesday when he agreed to a four year $13.5 million renegotiated contract with the Bills. Thomas had one year remaining on his old contract that would have paid $1.45million for 1993. Thomas agent Leigh Steinberg said he and general manager John Butler hammered out the Deal tuesday night after 13v$ hours of negotiations. Thomas rushed for a career Best 1,487yards last season his fourth straight 1,000-Yard season and third highest inthe league behind Emmitt Smith of dal Las and Barry Foster of Pittsburgh. He also led the nil in Yards from scrimmage with 2,113. Successful slide Home Oakland s Craig Paquette slides around indians Catcher Junior Ortiz to score from third on ground Ball in the fourth inning tuesday at Cleveland. The indians beat the athletics 9-5. See american league Story on Page 29. Pofs Hartford move rated better than 50-50 Hartford Conn. A the chances of luring the new England patriots to Hartford have unproved gov. Lowell p. Weiker said  said he will write to patriots owner James Orthwein in support of Philadelphia businessman Francis Murray s proposal to buy the team and move itto Connecticut. My thought a month or so ago was this stood Les than a 50-50 Chance Weicker told reporters after meeting with Murray a former minority owner of the patriots i can Only assure All of you that this stands a better than 50-50 Chance  when asked about Weicker s Odds Murray said he s  i love it Weicker quipped. Ifs the first time any body Ever called me  Murray has made a $133 million offer to buy the patriots and move them into a 65,000-seat stadium that would be built at one of five Sites in or near Hartford using state Bonds. His chances May have been bolstered after Massachusetts legislators monday rejected the idea of using Public Money to build a stadium in Down town Boston. The patriots have a lease to play until 2002 in Fox Boro mass. The nil and the patriots have said the stadium Southwest of Boston is too antiquated for professional football