Griffey's 22nd Homer Wasted in Loss

Griffey’s 22nd Homer Wasted in Loss

L.A. Times Archives

May 26, 1997 12 AM PT

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From Associated Press

Chili Davis led off the 11th inning with a home run, and the Royals defeated the Seattle Mariners, 4-3, despite Ken Griffey Jr.’s record-tying 22nd home run at Kansas City.

Griffey connected off Glendon Rusch in the first inning, tying his own major league record set in 1994 of 22 home runs through May. He has six games left this month to break his mark.

The home run was his sixth in 11 games and raised his runs batted in count to 59, also tops in the majors.

“I just love the game,” said Griffey, who played designated hitter for the first time since last year’s season finale. “When you love the game, you just smile and come to the park every day. When you lose, you just smile and come back tomorrow.”

Davis, who went hitless in his first four at-bats and stranded three runners, homered off Bobby Ayala (3-2) in the 11th.

“It was a nice way to win it after I stunk the whole day,” Davis said. “But that’s the way this game is.”

Jamie Walker (3-2) got the win with one inning of scoreless relief.

Milwaukee 11, Chicago 7--John Jaha hit a two-run homer and Jeff Cirillo had four hits and four runs batted in to lead the Brewers at Chicago.

In a game that featured two ejections and one bizarre bench-clearing incident, the Brewers held on to win their second game of the three-game series.

Albert Belle extended his hitting streak to 20 games with a three-run homer in the first inning for the White Sox.

Jaha homered in the sixth, his 11th of the season. Cirillo hit a two-run double in the second and a two-run single in the fourth.

Milwaukee Manager Phil Garner and infielder Jeff Huson were ejected in the third after Huson was called out on strikes.

In the Milwaukee fourth, both benches and bullpens emptied when Gerald Williams, who was on second base, and Chicago starter Baldwin started yelling at each other behind the pitching mound. No punches were thrown.

Baldwin, who thought Williams was stealing signs, acknowledged that he may have overreacted.

“I guess I was assuming things,” Baldwin said. “I kind of got upset about it. It might have been something they’ve been doing all along.”

Cleveland 7, Baltimore 6--Eric Davis and Rafael Palmeiro struck out with the bases loaded to end the game, blunting the Orioles’ comeback at Cleveland.

David Justice homered, hit an RBI single and scored three runs as the Indians took a 7-4 lead into the ninth.

But Baltimore rallied as B.J. Surhoff led off with a bunt single, Tony Tarasco walked with one out and pinch-hitter Pete Incaviglia singled to load the bases. Brady Anderson hit a two-run double that made the score, 7-6, and Roberto Alomar was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Reliever Mike Jackson then struck out Davis, and left-hander Alvin Morman relieved to face left-handed Rafael Palmeiro, who had homered earlier.

Morman, who had pitched only 1 1/3 innings this season, struck out Palmeiro on four pitches for his second save.

Minnesota 7, Oakland 6--Rich Becker’s run-scoring single with two outs in the 10th inning gave the Twins a victory at Minneapolis.

Becker, who hit an RBI triple in the eighth, got his game-winning hit off of Billy Taylor (1-3) as the Twins won for the fourth time in six games.

Rick Aguilera (2-1) got the victory even though he failed to protect a 6-4 lead in the ninth.

It was the second loss in seven extra-inning games for Oakland.

Boston at New York--Game postponed because of rain and no makeup date is scheduled.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: David Justice

Team: Cleveland