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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fenway Park Could Be History

Associated Press

American League

Boston owner John Harrington wants to have a new ballpark built by 2001, and the Red Sox already are trying to make the public believe Fenway is “obsolete” and hurting the team’s chances of competing for a pennant.

“The real problem is that Fenway seats 34,000 and the Baltimores of the world seat 49,000,” Red Sox vice president John Buckley said. “Fenway is slowly becoming economically obsolete… . We’d like to spend more money on player development and salaries than on stadium upkeep.”

Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn, a local kid who lived out his dream of playing in Boston, doesn’t want to believe it will really happen.

“There’s been some speculation about it, but I honestly think it’s too historic of a place to build a new ballpark,” Vaughn said. “The new Boston Garden just went up, so you’d be losing two historical places. I don’t think Fenway fans or New England fans are ready to change the scenery of Fenway Park. It’s the same field Ted Williams played on, so I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime in the near future, at least as long as I’m playing.”

Downhill slide

Former Chicago Cubs washout Mike Harkey was made Oakland’s No. 5 starter, and onetime phenom Todd Van Poppel was sent to the bullpen. Harkey is expected to make his first start with the A’s today in Milwaukee.

Van Poppel, 23, is 13-16 in 40 major-league starts. He hasn’t pitched in relief since he was a high school senior in Arlington, Texas.

Clearing the bases

Kenny Lofton didn’t start for the Indians because of a sore right leg… . Texas first baseman Will Clark will miss a couple games because of a small fracture in his left elbow. He was hurt Friday night when he ran into a railing trying to catch a foul ball… . Twotime A.L. MVP Frank Thomas cut his left foot on a couch in his hotel room Friday night, and could not run well enough to play first base for the White Sox on Saturday. He stayed in the lineup as designated hitter. … Royals pitcher Tom Gordon suffered the loss against New York on Saturday, one day after signing a one-year, $3.3 million contract… . Minnesota signed pitcher Scott Erickson to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration with their No. 2 starter.

Yankees 10, Royals 3

Kansas City, Mo.

Melido Perez overcame a leadoff home run by Jon Nunnally in his first major-league at-bat, and pitched New York past Kansas City.

Athletics 8, Brewers 2

Milwaukee

Steve Ontiveros pitched six strong innings and previously winless Oakland snapped a 12-game losing streak in Milwaukee. The Athletics had started 0-3 for the first time since 1987, Tony La Russa’s first full year as manager.

Blue Jays 3, Angels 0

Toronto

Toronto’s Shawn Green had two hits, scored once and drove in the game’s first run. The rookie outfielder led the International League in batting last season.

Red Sox 8, White Sox 0

Boston

Erik Hanson, one of three free agents added to the Boston rotation this spring, pitched five strong innings as Boston stayed undefeated.

It was the second shutout of the year for the Red Sox, who pitched only three last year.

Rangers 6, Indians 5

Arlington, Texas

Rusty Greer’s single to center scored Otis Nixon from second with one out in the bottom of the ninth and gave Texas a rain-delayed win. With one out, Nixon walked and stole second off reliever Paul Shuey. Then Greer hit a line drive, and Nixon barely beat Wayne Kirby’s throw to the plate.

Orioles 13, Twins 7

Minneapolis

Harold Baines hit a threerun homer, leading Kevin Brown and Baltimore to their first win of the season. Brady Anderson tripled twice and scored four runs for Baltimore.