‘Dr.’ Steinbrenner To Help Straw, Doc?

American League

Citing his reclamation work with Steve Howe, George Steinbrenner said Saturday he wanted to “help” former Mets and recovering addicts Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden get their lives straightened out and acknowledged he “will probably talk with” Strawberry about becoming a Yankee.

At an impromptu Yankee Stadium press conference, the Yankees owner and aspiring social worker likened Strawberry and Gooden to seven-time suspendee Howe, whom he obviously considers a personal success story.

“I know all about the problems Darryl has had. But he’s a young man who was important to baseball at one point and, in my mind, I wonder whether he can be important to baseball again,” George said.

“This is not a Gooden-Strawberry problem, it’s a United States of America problem, and if there’s good in these young men, I don’t want their lives to end wrong.”

Steinbrenner said he has agreed to meet with Strawbrerry, but no date has been set. He indicated the summit wouldn’t take place any earlier than the week after next.

Although Strawberry is currently under suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy, the 33-year-old lefthanded outfielder will be eligible to play June 24.

Palmer out for season

Texas third baseman Dean Palmer will miss the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured tendon in his left biceps during Saturday night’s game against Minnesota. Palmer injured the elbow on a swinging third strike in the second inning. The swing didn’t appear to be out of the ordinary, but Palmer immediately fell to the ground in pain. Surgery will be scheduled next week, the club announced.

Chico AWOL

The Kansas City Royals said second baseman Chico Lind did not appear for the second straight game Saturday night and had not contacted the team.

Lind, who last played Wednesday, possibly was in Puerto Rico because of an illness in his family, GM Herk Robinson said.

Clearing the bases

Baltimore’s Mike Mussina has allowed at least one homer in each of his last seven starts and 11 overall… . The Yankees have lost 14 of 17 since May 12… . Chicago designated hitter John Kruk missed the game after suffering a bruised right heel while running to first Friday night. X-rays were negative.

Indians 3, Blue Jays 0

Cleveland

Dennis Martinez pitched Cleveland’s first complete game and Carlos Baerga homered as Cleveland beat Toronto for its sixth win in seven games. Cleveland matched its best start in franchise history.

Orioles 9, Athletics 5

Baltimore Cal Ripken’s fourth career grand slam highlighted a six-run fifth inning that carried Baltimore to its season-high fourth straight victory over slumping Oakland.

Angels 4, Yankees 2

New York

Damion Easley drove in two runs and scored two to help California to a win over New York, sending the Yankees to their fifth straight defeat and their 10th in 11 games.

White Sox 10, Tigers 6

Chicago

Dave Martinez hit a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of ninth inning as Chicago rallied from a fiverun deficit to defeat Detroit.

Royals 2, Brewers 1

Kansas City, Mo.

Gary Gaetti, who has homered in seven of his last nine games, lined a pitch over the left-field wall with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give Kansas City the win.

Twins 4, Rangers 0

Arlington, Texas

Kevin Tapani pitched a six-hitter for Minnesota’s first shutout since last July 27, and the Twins beat Texas to halt a four-game losing streak.