Bullpen Just What McDowell Needed

Booed off the mound in his last start, Jack McDowell received a standing ovation in the first regular-season relief appearance of his career.

McDowell, banished to the bullpen because of his struggles since last August, got his first victory of the season Wednesday as the Indians rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 11-7, at Cleveland.

“It’s about pride every time,” said McDowell (1-2), who atoned for a 12.51 earned-run average as a starter by pitching four scoreless innings with two walks and four strikeouts. “It’s about trying to hold onto something they’re trying to take away from you.”

McDowell was booed loudly Friday after getting hammered by the Milwaukee Brewers. He was cheered Wednesday as he ran in from the bullpen to rescue starter Albie Lopez from a second-and-third, none-out jam in the fourth.

McDowell struck out John Valentin, then intentionally walked Mo Vaughn to load the bases. He retired Reggie Jefferson on a groundout and ended the threat with a fly out by Tim Naehring.

Seemingly sparked by McDowell’s performance, Cleveland cut the lead to 5-2 in the fourth and took a 9-5 lead in the seventh against four relievers.

New York 10, Milwaukee 5--Tino Martinez drove in five runs and the Yankees stretched their winning streak to three for the first time this season, defeating the Brewers at New York.

Martinez hit a three-run double in the sixth for New York, which began the day tied for last in the AL East.

Kenny Rogers won despite giving up five runs and six hits in six innings. He had four strikeouts and six walks.

Milwaukee, which lost its fourth in a row, rallied from a 5-0 deficit to tie the score before the Yankees knocked out starter Ben McDonald (2-2) during a four-run sixth.

Chicago 11, Baltimore 9--The White Sox blew a seven-run lead, then got a sacrifice fly from Lyle Mouton in the 10th inning to hand the Orioles their first home loss of the season.

Eric Davis’ ninth grand slam tied the score in the seventh inning for the Orioles, who rallied from a 9-2 deficit. Davis’ six runs batted in matched a career high last reached in 1989.

Tony Phillips opened the Chicago 10th with a single off Armando Benitez (0-2). After a walk to Frank Thomas and a groundout by Albert Belle, Harold Baines was walked intentionally to load the bases. Mouton lifted a fly ball to left that easily scored Phillips, and a single by Dave Martinez made it 11-9.

Oakland 6, Minnesota 1--Mark McGwire homered for the fourth consecutive game and Scott Spiezio hit his first career grand slam as the Athletics defeated the Twins at Minnesota.

Chuck Knoblauch homered on the second pitch of the game from Ariel Prieto (2-0). Prieto later escaped a pair of bases-loaded jams and gave up nine hits in six innings before Aaron Small finished for his first major league save.

McGwire, who had three hits, hit his eighth home run of the season in the first inning. He connected after Rich Robertson (2-1) walked Jose Canseco.

Kansas City 12, Seattle 10--David Howard homered to cap a six-run fifth inning, and the Royals overcame Ken Griffey Jr.’s 10th home run to defeat the Mariners at Seattle.

Russ Davis hit two doubles and two singles and drove in a career-high four runs for Seattle.

Seattle reliever Edwin Hurtado (1-1) retired the first two batters in the fifth, but allowed the next six to score as the Royals took a 10-4 lead.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Tino Martinez

Team: New York

Performance: 2 for 3, 5 RBIs, double

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Mark McGwire

Team: Oakland

Performance: 3 hits, homered in fourth consecutive game

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Lyle Mouton

Team: Chicago

Performance: 3 for 3, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, homer

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Eric Davis

Team: Baltimore

Performance: 2 for 4, 2 runs, 6 RBIs, grand slam

Team’s Result: Loss

*

PITCHING

Player: Jack McDowell

Team: Cleveland

Performance: 4 innings, 0 runs in rare relief appearance

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Darren Oliver

Team: Texas

Performance: 8 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 5 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win