Molitor, Ritchie Give Twins a Sweep

Career hit No. 3,019 was like almost none other for Paul Molitor. It also helped make career appearance No. 1 memorable for Todd Ritchie.

Molitor hit his third grand slam and Matt Lawton added a three-run homer in a seven-run second inning as the Twins defeated the Tigers, 10-6, Thursday night at Minneapolis for a season-opening, three-game sweep.

The homers helped Ritchie get the victory in his first major league game.

“It’s good to be part of something like that,” said Ritchie, who was out of options but surprised the Twins with an excellent spring. “They’ll remember him getting that grand slam, and I pitched in that game. It’s good. I like that.”

As his parents Bennett and Betty watched from behind home plate, Ritchie replaced starter Scott Aldred to start the fourth with Minnesota leading 9-5. He allowed a single on his first pitch and an RBI double on his second pitch, but he allowed only one more hit over the next three innings.

“I was real nervous after the two leadoff hits,” Ritchie said. “I didn’t let it get to me, but it wasn’t what I pictured. But I stayed calm and tried to keep throwing strikes.”

Ritchie was the Twins’ first-round draft pick in 1990, the 12th pick overall. He was slowed by back pain in 1991 and shoulder soreness in 1993 before missing all of 1994 with a shoulder injury. But he had a 1.98 ERA in 10 exhibition appearances to earn a spot on the 12-man staff.

“He didn’t make the club because he’s out of options,” Molitor said. “He made the club because he deserved to be here.”

Baltimore 6, Kansas City 4--Chris Hoiles, who had stranded six runners in his first seven at-bats of 1997, was tired of wasting opportunities.

Hoiles hit a two-run single in the eighth inning as the Orioles beat the Royals at Baltimore.

“The last couple of days, it seems like I’ve come up with guys on base,” Hoiles said. “The last couple of days, it seems like I hadn’t come through, so it was nice.”

Jeff Montgomery, who blew 10 saves in 34 chances last year, relieved with a 4-3 lead in the eighth and gave up a homer to Rafael Palmeiro, his first batter.

Eric Davis singled for his third hit of the game and stole second following Cal Ripken’s strikeout. Montgomery intentionally walked B.J. Surhoff, and Jeffrey Hammonds advanced the runners with a groundout. Hoiles then lined a single to left.

Royals’ Manager Bob Boone defended his decision to start the eighth with Montgomery. The reliever, who has blown eight of his last 16 saves, is recovering from rotator cuff surgery, and Boone wants to spot him in late-inning situations until he regains his strength.

“There were two mistakes: throwing a changeup to Palmeiro and a low ball to Hoiles,” Boone said. “He is still in spring training and he doesn’t have the feel.”

Milwaukee-Texas, ppd--Rain forced the Brewers and the Rangers to wait 1 hour, 36 minutes before starting. Then a harder shower caused the game to be postponed after one inning.

Milwaukee led 2-0 and Chuck Carr was leading off the second when umpires halted play. The game lasted 24 minutes. Shortly after the tarp was rolled out, the rain got harder and the wind picked up. It was officially called 37 minutes later.

The game will be made up Aug. 18-20, when the Brewers return to Arlington for the only other time this season. The exact date will be determined later.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Result Paul Molitor Minnesota 3rd lifetime grand slam Win Mark McGwire Oakland 2 for 4, HR, double Win Matt Lawton Minnesota 3-run homer, 441-foot drive Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Jason Dickson Angels 9 innings, 5 strikeouts for first shutout Dave Telgheder Oakland 3 innings, 1 hit in relief Todd Ritchie Minnesota 3 innings, 3 hits, 1 run in debut

Player Result Jason Dickson Win Dave Telgheder Win Todd Ritchie Win

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