Puckett’s Jaw Shattered In Defeat

American League

Dennis Martinez almost couldn’t go on after he hit Kirby Puckett in the face Thursday. He did, though, and so did the Cleveland’s overpowering season.

Known for throwing inside, Martinez hit Chuck Knoblauch, Minnesota’s leadoff hitter, and two batters later shattered Puckett’s upper jaw with a wild fastball.

He overcame the bad start to work six strong innings, and the Indians got a homer from Eddie Murray for the third time in two games in a 12-4 victory at Minnesota.

Puckett will need 4-6 weeks to recover. He was taken to Riverside Hospital, where an oral surgeon stitched cuts inside his mouth. Puckett also had two loose teeth. His jaw probably will heal without having to be wired shut, said team physician Dr. Dan Buss.

Puckett had swelling into his sinus passages, and will be watched for infection.

“I felt so bad, I almost took myself out of the game,” Martinez said. “I tried to go inside and jam him. He might have thought it was going outside. He never had a chance to move.

“It hurt so much to know I sat down one of my best friends in baseball. … It’s the worst feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”

Angels 4, Athletics 1 Anaheim, Calif.

Pitcher Doug Johns’ throwing error on a bunt single by Garret Anderson gave California two runs as the Angels beat the Oakland to remain two games behind Seattle in the West.

Terry Steinbach became the seventh player in A’s history to reach 1,000 hits.

Red Sox 11, Brewers 6 Milwaukee

Reggie Jefferson, Dwayne Hosey, John Valentin and Tim Naehring and Mike Macfarlane homered as Boston beat Milwaukee.

Royals 4, White Sox 0 Kansas City, Mo.

Mark Gubicza pitched a four-hitter as Kansas City beat Chicago.

Milwaukee optimistic

With the Wisconsin Assembly agreeing to build a $250 million stadium, Brewers president Bud Selig and Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson said they were cautiously optimistic for final approval from the state Senate next week.