Limber Johnson Handles Red Sox, 5-3

Randy Johnson’s winning streak is nice and healthy. So, for now, is his back.

Johnson, sidelined for most of the 1996 season by back trouble, won for the first time since last May 12 as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Red Sox, 5-3, on Friday at Boston.

“I’m just elated that I’m healthy up to this point,” said Johnson, who has won 13 consecutive regular-season decisions since Aug. 1, 1995. “I can run a little. I can throw six innings.”

Johnson (1-0) had not won since his final start last year. After trying to pitch in relief, he had back surgery Sept. 12. He struck out seven and walked three in six innings. He gave two runs and four hits.

The 1995 Cy Young winner has won 26 of his last 28 decisions. Seattle is 37-5 in his last 42 starts.

“It was a great test for his lower back in the cold weather,” said Alex Rodriguez, whose second home run gave Seattle a 3-0 lead in the third. “We play a little different baseball when he’s out there. We don’t feel pressure offensively or defensively.”

John Valentin hit his first two homers of the season, making him seven for 23 (.304) against Johnson in his career. Valentin cut the lead to 3-2 with homers in the fourth and sixth.

Ken Griffey Jr., the American League home-run leader with six, sat out because of flu. Lee Tinsley, his replacement, doubled home a run in the eighth off Butch Henry.

Steve Avery (0-1) pitched well, giving up three runs and eight hits in six innings. He gave up Rich Amaral’s two-run double in the second and Rodriguez’s homer, leaving with Boston trailing, 3-2.

Detroit 5, Chicago 4--Matt Walbeck came home on the front end of a double steal and Omar Olivares won for the first time in 10 starts as the Tigers won at Detroit.

With Detroit leading, 4-2, in the sixth, Walbeck was on third and Damion Easley on first when the two worked the double steal. Easley took off for second, drawing a throw to first from pitcher Carlos Castillo, and Walbeck scooted home ahead of Frank Thomas’ throw to the plate.

Olivares (1-0), who lost his final four decisions last season, gave up three runs--two earned--and four hits in six innings. Todd Jones retired four consecutive batters for his second save.

Albert Belle, three for 21 during Chicago’s five-game homestand, went one for two with a sacrifice fly and two runs batted in as the White Sox began a five-game trip.

Belle drove in a run in the first inning with a groundout, his first run batted in since opening day. It ended Chicago’s streak of 21 consecutive scoreless innings.

Doug Drabek (0-1) gave up four runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings and walked four, three in a two-run fourth.

Baltimore 9, Texas 3--Rafael Palmeiro homered twice and drove in four runs, leading Mike Mussina and the Orioles over the Rangers at Baltimore.

Mussina (1-1) gave up one run and three hits in seven innings. He faced only 24 batters and became the first Oriole starter to pitch more than six innings this season.

Palmeiro hit a solo home run off Eric Gunderson in the seventh for a 5-1 lead. He hit his fourth homer of the season in the eighth, a three-run drive off Ed Vosberg.

Palmeiro became the first player to drive home runs onto the walkway behind the right-field fence twice in a game. His homers marked the 13th and 14th balls hit onto Eutaw Street.

The Orioles scored in the first inning on Palmeiro’s double-play grounder, then made it 3-0 in the second. After loading the bases with two outs on singles by Jeffrey Hammonds, Chris Hoiles and Mike Bordick, Brady Anderson drew a walk and Roberto Alomar singled home a run.

Mussina did not give up a hit through the first three innings. He got into trouble in the fourth when singles by Mark McLemore and Ivan Rodriguez put runners on the corners with none out, but got Rusty Greer to ground into a run-scoring double play and struck out Dean Palmer.

Toronto at Milwaukee--A snowstorm prevented the Brewers from opening their three-game series against the Blue Jays. Both teams said their scheduled starting pitchers would remain for today’s opening game of a doubleheader--weather permitting.

Minnesota at Kansas City--The game between the Twins and Royals was postponed because of rain and cold, and no makeup date was set. Snow was in the forecast, putting today’s game in jeopardy.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Rafael Palmeiro Baltimore 2 for 5, 2 HR, 4 RBI John Valentin Boston 2 for 4, 2 HR off Randy Johnson Sandy Alomar Cleveland 4 for 5, 4 runs, 1 double Omar Vizquel Cleveland 3 for 5, 4 RBI, 1 double

Player Team’s Result Rafael Palmeiro Win John Valentin Loss Sandy Alomar Win Omar Vizquel Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result David Cone New York 7 innings, 2 hits, 12 strikeouts Loss Mike Mussina Baltimore 7 innings, 3 hits, 1 run Win

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