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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Yankees Consider Drug Duo

Associated Press

American League

The New York Post says Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden, two former Mets now on drugrelated suspensions, could be reunited in New York with the Yankees.

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has had preliminary discussions with Strawberry’s agent about signing Strawberry when his drug-related suspension ends on June 23, the newspaper said Friday.

An official in the Yankees front office, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Friday that general manager Gene Michael and assistant GM Tim McCleary had no knowledge of any talks with Strawberry.

The newspaper quoted Bill Goodstein, Strawberry’s new agent, as saying he has talked with Steinbrenner. Goodstein, also the new agent for Gooden, claimed the pitcher is interested in the Yankees if Gooden’s season-long suspension is lifted.

Strawberry is suspended through June 23 after testing positive for cocaine. He was released by the San Francisco Giants following the positive test, and the players’ association has filed a grievance in an attempt to get him paid.

Strawberry, 33, hit .239 with San Francisco in 29 games last season.

Earlier this year, Strawberry pleaded guilty to tax evasion. He was sentenced to three years’ probation, starting with six months under house arrest in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He must pay the government about $350,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

Clearing the bases

Minnesota’s Kirby Puckett collected his 1,000th career RBI with a third-inning double… . Fifteen of the 21 hits Paul Sorrento has for Cleveland have gone for extra bases… . Cecil Fielder returned to the Detroit lineup after not starting two games with a stiff back.

Royals 8, Brewers 3

Milwaukee

Kevin Appier notched his sixth victory and Gary Gaetti hit a pair of two-run homers as Kansas City defeated Milwaukee.

Appier (6-1) gave up nine hits and three walks in 6 innings, but worked his way out of two basesloaded jams and stranded eight Milwaukee runners.

Indians 7, Blue Jays 4

Toronto

Omar Vizquel led off the eighth inning with the go-ahead home run, and Paul Sorrento and Manny Ramirez each homered twice to lift Cleveland past Toronto.

Vizquel sent Pat Hentgen’s 0-1 pitch over the wall in right-center to break a 3-3 tie and send Toronto to its eighth loss in 10 games. The homer was Vizquel’s third of the season, all this week.

Rangers 6, Twins 5

Minneapolis

Will Clark homered and drove in three runs, and Otis Nixon had four hits as Texas beat Minnesota.

Nixon, who had two doubles, two singles and scored twice, had the third four-hit game of his career.

Athletics 4, Yankees 3

Oakland, Calif.

Terry Steinbach homered for the third straight game, a two-run shot in the seventh inning that gave Oakland its victory over slumping New York.

Tigers 8, White Sox 7

Detroit

Kirk Gibson’s two-run homer, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, gave Detroit its victory over Chicago.

Red Sox 8, Angels 3

Anaheim, Calif.

Reggie Jefferson hit his second career grand slam and former replacement player Ron Mahay hit his first major-league homer as Boston used a five-run sixth inning to beat California.