Tigers Spoil Day For Devil Rays

American League

It took two decades for Tampa Bay to get a major league team. It will take at least one more day to get a win.

Playing like the expansion team they are, the Devil Rays fell flat in their first game, losing 11-6 to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“There was a lot going on, but we’re not going to make excuses,” Tampa Bay’s Larry Rothschild said after his debut as a major-league manager. “We just got beat.”

Joe Randa and Joe Oliver each drove in three runs and Luis Gonzalez hit a two-run homer as the Tigers ruined the day for a sellout crowd of 45,369 at Tropicana Field.

“This is one of 162. Unfortunately, it was a big one - opening day - but the others won’t all go like this,” Tampa Bay’s Kevin Stocker said.

Wade Boggs’ two-run homer off winner Justin Thompson in the sixth inning was about all Devil Rays fans had to cheer following an hourlong pregame celebration.

Royals 4, Orioles 1

Baltimore

Tim Belcher, starting in place of the injured Kevin Appier, allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings as Kansas City opened the season by beating Mike Mussina and Baltimore.

Rookie Larry Sutton drove in three runs and Jeff King went 2 for 2 and scored twice before leaving in the fourth inning with a sore back. It was the fifth straight time the Royals have opened the season against Baltimore - and only the second time they won.

White Sox 9, Rangers 2

Arlington, Texas

If only Frank Thomas, Albert Belle and Robin Ventura can keep it up for the entire season.

In Jerry Manuel’s first game as manager of the White Sox, Chicago’s big three flashed the offense the team needs to get back into the playoffs, driving in two runs each in the season-opening victory over Texas.