Linares’ Loyalty Given To Castro

American League

Omar Linares of Cuba, one of the best amateur baseball player in the world, turned down a $1.5 million offer to play for the New York Yankees.

Interviewed in Cuba last month, Linares told Sports Illustrated TV that the Yankees made him the offer in March during the Pan American Games in Argentina.

“It happened there in the stadium where they offered me that sum of money for me to play with the New York Yankees,” said Linares, a third baseman. “Well, it was something to think about. It makes a real impression on you, a million and a half. But I think I also thought about the other possibility, that my family and everything is here.”

Linares also told SITV he was loyal to Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

“I am a product of this revolution, which formed me and raised me,” Linares said. “And I think it would be better to go on in the vanguard of all these sportsmen who have won Olympic medals the way we have.”

Owners on the offensive

Baseball players and owners have held secret talks to try to ensure the 1995 season will be played to conclusion and settle unfair labor practice complaints against the teams.

Owners met for six hours in Itasca, Ill., to discuss their next move in the labor negotiations, with some advocating a return to the salary cap. They didn’t make any decisions, and didn’t set a date for the resumption of talks with the union, which broke off March 30.

Clearing the bases

Oakland pitcher Steve Ontiveros, who led the league with a 2.65 ERA last year, avoided a salary arbitration hearing by agreeing to a one-year, $900,000 deal… . Saying he isn’t interested in being traded, pitcher Mark Langston grimaces at rumors that the New York Yankees are trying to obtain him from the California Angels… . Dave Winfield’s double in the second inning for Cleveland was the 536th of his career, moving him past Lou Gehrig into sole possession of 17th place on the all-time list.

Yanks 6, Blue Jays 4 (11)

Toronto

Bernie Williams hit a tworun homer in the 11th, powering New York over Toronto and ending a threegame losing skid.

Woody Williams (0-1) walked Mike Stanley to lead off the inning. Bernie Williams followed with his second homer of the season.

Tigers 4-2, Brewers 2-13

Milwaukee

Alan Trammell hit a tworun double in the 10th, lifting Detroit over Milwaukee in a game that was suspended by rain in the ninth inning on Tuesday.

Milwaukee scored seven times in the fourth inning of the second game to chase Mike Moore (2-1), who surrendered seven earned runs on six hits and three walks in 3 innings.

Angels 11, Rangers 2

Anaheim, Calif.

Chili Davis had the first five-hit game of his 15-year major-league career, including a three-run homer and a two-run double, leading California over Texas.

Indians 3, Royals 2 (10)

Cleveland

Manny Ramirez lined an RBI single to center with one out in the 10th, scoring Carlos Baerga on a close play at home as Cleveland beat Kansas City for a threegame sweep.

White Sox 8, Twins 7

Chicago

Pinch-hitter Chris Sabo’s two-run homer in the eighth inning gave Chicago its victory over the Minnesota and completed a threegame sweep.

Red Sox 6, Orioles 2

Boston

Mo Vaughn and Lee Tinsley each hit two-run homers and Boston beat Baltimore to extend its winning streak to five games.