Rodriguez Uncorks Big Home Run

Baltimore Manager Davey Johnson tried to frustrate Seattle Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguez. It didn’t work.

After Johnson had one of his bats confiscated, Rodriguez hit a three-run homer as the Mariners defeated the Orioles, 5-1, Sunday night at Seattle.

“They tried to frustrate Alex a little bit,” Seattle Manager Lou Piniella said. “Alex, at 21, is not frustratable. Is there such a word? We’ll have to put it in the dictionary.”

With Rodriguez batting in the fifth inning, Johnson asked home plate umpire Ted Barrett to take away Rodriguez’s bat. After Barrett removed the bat, Rodriguez used one that Ken Griffey Jr. handed him from the dugout and hit his 34th homer.

Rodriguez, who went two for three to raise his American League-leading average to .376, 28 points ahead of Chicago’s Frank Thomas, said he began using Griffey’s 31-ounce bats when Griffey went on the disabled list in June. Rodriguez also doubled to move past teammate Edgar Martinez for the major-league lead with 49 doubles.

“Actually, I thought it was very flattering,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been watching Davey Johnson manage for many years. It was flattering. Me? A shortstop with a corked bat? I thought it was pretty sweet.”

Johnson admitted his move was a reaction to Piniella, who had demanded that Bobby Bonilla’s bat be checked after he singled in the fourth inning. Bonilla had homered in the second inning, Baltimore’s 10th homer of the series.

“Lou probably did it to screw with Bobby,” Johnson said. “I definitely did it to screw with Alex. It didn’t work, but I did it.”

Piniella denied he was trying a psychological ploy with Bonilla, who hit four home runs in the series.

Bonilla didn’t deny his bat was corked.

“If they find something wrong with it, I’m getting suspended,” he said. “But what if they don’t? I’m out using my bat the rest of the game. What kind of rule is that?”

Cleveland 8, Texas 2--Kevin Seitzer went four for five in his first game with the Indians and Julio Franco hit a grand slam at Arlington, Texas.

Cleveland had lost seven of its last eight against the Rangers, including all five at The Ballpark at Arlington this season, before beating Texas for only the fourth time in 12 games between the AL division leaders.

Seitzer, who was acquired from Milwaukee for outfielder Jeromy Burnitz shortly before postseason rosters were set at midnight Saturday, doubled home Kenny Lofton in the first inning. In the third, Seitzer singled Lofton to third.

Boston 8, Oakland 3--Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra homered in his first major-league start as the Red Sox won at Oakland.

Minnesota 6, Milwaukee 2--Rich Becker went four for five with three RBIs and Scott Aldred won his third consecutive decision as the Twins won at Milwaukee.

Kansas City 3, Detroit 2--Tom Goodwin singled in the go-ahead run with two out in the 13th as the Royals won at Detroit.

Chicago 4, Toronto 2--Tony Phillips scored the winning run on shortstop Tomas Perez’s error in the 11th inning as the White Sox completed a three-game sweep at Toronto.