Rangers Assist Disaster Effort
American League
The players and management of the Texas Rangers donated $40,000 Wednesday to the relief efforts in the Oklahoma City bombing disaster.
The Rangers players and coaches made a $17,500 donation to Feed The Children, an international, nonprofit disaster-relief organization. Outfielder Juan Gonzalez donated $5,000 to the cause.
Larry Jones, president and founder of the organization, accepted the donation from Will Clark, Mickey Tettleton and Gonzalez.
The Rangers management donated another $17,500 to the Salvation Army. Maj. Marshall Gesner, area commander for the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area, accepted the donation from Rangers president Tom Schieffer.
Smiling with Smith
Not since Bryan Harvey prowled Anaheim from 1987 to 1992 have the California Angels been so confident in opening the bullpen as they are now with Lee Smith.
“Taking nothing away from the guys who were here in the past,” first baseman J.T. Snow said, “but when the all-time record-holder in saves comes through that gate … you get the feeling he will save every game.”
He nearly has. Smith, 37, earned three saves in the Angels’ four-game series in Toronto.
Manager Marcel Lacheman said he is not concerned about the aging Smith’s durability. Smith made 41 appearances in strike-shortened 1994.
“We’ll just ask him dayto-day and if he can go to the post, he’ll tell us,” Lacheman said. “He knows what he can or can’t do.”
Clearing the bases
Chicago’s Tim Raines stole second in the second, giving him 30 consecutive successful steals, two shy of the league record held by Willie Wilson and Julio Cruz… . Cleveland has 10 or more hits in all six games this season. The Indians also have hit 14 homers… . Milwaukee pitcher Cal Eldred has 70 decisions in his 80 career starts… . Don Mattingly of New York was caught stealing for the first time since 1987 (11 straight successful attempts)… . Minnesota starter Pat Mahomes raised his ERA from 20.25 to 21.60.
Indians 14, Tigers 7
Detroit
Paul Sorrento had a three-run homer and a career-best six RBIs as Cleveland, which has scored 57 runs in six games, routed Detroit.
The Tigers’ home opener was spoiled Tuesday by fans who threw objects at players and also ran onto the field. With beefed up security and a smaller crowd, there were no incidents this time. The crowd was announced at 29,996, but appeared to be 10,000 less.
Sorrento’s RBIs came on a double, a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly. He had three hits in four at-bats in the game. Sorrento, whose previous high was five RBIs last year against Texas, has six hits this season, four homers and two doubles.
Yankees 4, Red Sox 3
New York
Bernie Williams’ sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and no outs in the 13th gave New York a victory over Boston.
Williams’ fly ball to left field was dropped by Mike Greenwell, but it was deep enough to have scored pinch runner Gerald Williams anyway.
The Yankees had 16 hits and had the bases loaded twice in extra innings before capitalizing.
Blue Jays 8, White Sox 7
Toronto
Tomas Perez singled home the winning run in the 10th in his first major league at-bat as Toronto defeated Chicago, which lost its sixth game in seven tries.
Brewers 7, Orioles 4
Baltimore
Milwaukee scored six runs in the ninth off Doug Jones and defeated Baltimore before 33,837, the second-smallest crowd in the four-year history of Camden Yards.
Twins 10, Royals 9
Minneapolis
Alex Cole hit an RBI double in the eighth after Chuck Knoblauch tripled, as Minnesota defeated Kansas City to end a four-game losing streak.