American League Roundup : 2 Griffey Homers Help Johnson Win in Debut

Ken Griffey Jr. hit two home runs and drove in three runs and Randy Johnson won his American League debut as the Seattle Mariners beat the New York Yankees, 3-2, Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Griffey hit a solo homer into the upper deck in right field in the second inning and hit a two-run shot into the lower deck in right in the sixth.

As a kid, Griffey used to play catch in the outfield at Yankee Stadium and then watch his father, Ken Griffey, play with New York.

“He once hit the upper deck,” the younger Griffey said. “I think it was against Cleveland, but he didn’t hit it into the upper deck.”

It was the first time this year that Griffey has hit two homers in a game and he still needs one more to match his father.

“I saw him hit three in Atlanta one time and he popped out the fourth time because he was trying to hit a home run,” Griffey said.

Seven of Griffey’s nine home runs have tied games or put Seattle ahead.

“Well, it was too much Ken Griffey tonight,” Yankee Manager Dallas Green said. “Without him we would have won the game.”

Johnson (1-0) was acquired along with pitchers Brian Holman and Greg Harris last Thursday from Montreal for left-hander Mark Langston. The 6-foot-10 Johnson, 0-4 with the Expos in six starts, allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked three.

“Everybody was wondering what the Mariners got in the deal and I’m happy this is over,” Johnson said.

Tom Niedenfuer, activated from the 21-day disabled list Tuesday, pitched two innings, then Mike Schooler got his 12th save in as many opportunities by pitching the ninth.

Oakland 4, Boston 2--Dave Stewart became the American League’s first nine-game winner and Dave Parker homered and drove in three runs as the Athletics beat the Red Sox at Boston.

Stewart (9-2) gave up 10 hits and two runs in seven innings. Rick Honeycutt finished for his fourth save.

Lance Blankenship had three hits and a run batted in for Oakland, while Parker drove in runs with a homer, a sacrifice fly and a double.

Boston starter Mike Smithson (2-4) gave up 10 hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings.

With the score tied at 1-1, Oakland scored two runs in the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. Dave Henderson singled and scored on Parker’s double. Parker went to third on Terry Steinbach’s fly to right and scored on Blankenship’s single.

Cleveland 6, Toronto 2--Pete O’Brien hit a two-run homer to cap a five-run fifth inning and John Farrell broke a personal, four-game losing streak as the Indians beat the Blue Jays at Cleveland.

Farrell (3-5) pitched a five-hitter for his first victory since he came within three outs of a no-hitter on May 4. He retired the last 13 Toronto batters in order and finished with seven strikeouts as the Indians won their third straight.

Alex Sanchez (0-1) was the loser in his second major league start.

Minnesota 7, Kansas City 1--Wally Backman had three hits and two RBIs as the Twins ended the Royals’ five-game winning streak at Kansas City.

Kirby Puckett and Jim Dwyer also had three hits each for the Twins, who had 15 hits off four Royal pitchers.

Roy Smith (4-3) gave up eight hits, struck out four and walked one in pitching the second complete game of his career.

Detroit 10, Chicago 3--Keith Moreland drove in four runs, three with his second homer of the year, and Lou Whitaker hit a two-run homer to lead the Tigers over the White Sox at Chicago.

It was the 10th loss in 11 games for the White Sox and their eighth straight at home. They are last in the Western Division, 15 1/2 games behind the Angels.

Frank Tanana (5-4) allowed six hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings, increasing his lifetime record against Chicago to 24-13. Frank Williams finished for his first save of the season.

Baltimore 6, Texas 2-- Phil Bradley drove in two runs with a seventh-inning single as the Orioles beat the Rangers for their sixth win in seven games at Baltimore.

Reliever Mark Williamson (2-2) pitched 3 1/3 shutout innings to pick up the victory. Gregg Olson struck out the final two batters for his fourth save.

Texas starter Jamie Moyer (3-5) gave up three runs on three hits before straining his left shoulder in the fourth inning and being replaced by Gary Mielke.