Warts and All, Mussina Defeats Minnesota

Mike Mussina wasn’t quite perfect in his return from the disabled list. His timing, however, could not have been better.

Mussina gave up two hits over 7 2/3 innings Sunday as the Baltimore Orioles defeated Minnesota, 2-0, at Baltimore to win their first series in three weeks.

Baltimore had floundered without its ace, sidelined since a wart on his right index finger cracked open against the Chicago White Sox on April 16. The Orioles were desperate for a victory, and Mussina delivered.

“When your No. 1 guy goes out there and pitches like that, it makes you feel good,” Baltimore Manager Ray Miller said. “He certainly makes me look like a better manager.”

Mussina (3-2) walked four and struck out four.

He allowed only two runners past first in improving to 12-1 against the Twins.

“It’s not like I got out on the mound and [felt uncomfortable]. I threw a few times on the side,” Mussina said.

“I had pretty good stamina and I think I made effective use of my pitches.”

Rafael Palmeiro and Eric Davis homered for Baltimore, which won two of three from the Twins after going 0-5-1 in its previous six series.

“We have a tremendous amount of confidence when Mike steps on the mound,” B.J. Surhoff said. “He’s not going to pitch a shutout every time he goes out there, but he makes it very difficult on the other team and their pitcher.”

That’s exactly what happened Sunday. Minnesota rookie Eric Milton (2-3) gave up only four hits in his first complete game, but all he got to show for it was his third consecutive loss.

New York 10, Kansas City 1--Paul O’Neill and Jorge Posada homered as the Yankees, off to their best start in 40 years, routed the Royals at Kansas City, Mo., for their 19th victory in 21 games.

New York, which has the best winning percentage in the majors (.769), has won five in a row. The Yankees hadn’t won 19 of 21 since Aug. 14-Sept. 4, 1977 and haven’t started a season this well since winning 20 of their first 25 in 1958.

Ramiro Mendoza (1-1) gave up three hits in seven innings. Tim Belcher (1-4), winless in six starts since opening day, gave up six runs, just two earned, and eight hits in six innings.

Boston 2, Texas 1--Pedro Martinez (3-0) struck out nine, walked two, gave up five hits in seven innings and overcame three errors in the first three innings at Boston.

Tom Gordon walked the bases loaded in the ninth before retiring Rusty Greer on a groundout for his 11th save.

Mo Vaughn’s ninth homer against Darren Oliver (1-4) broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth.

Cleveland 10, Tampa Bay 8--Sandy Alomar hit a two-out, two-strike grand slam as the Indians rallied from an 8-5 deficit in the ninth at Cleveland against Roberto Hernandez (0-2).

Paul Sorrento hit the first grand slam in Tampa Bay history and went four for five with six RBIs.

Jose Mesa (3-0) pitched the ninth as the Indians swept the three-game series by overcoming a 6-0 deficit for its ninth comeback victory.

Seattle 10, Detroit 6--Dan Wilson hit the first inside-the-park grand slam in Mariner history and Randy Johnson won his second consecutive start despite seven shaky innings at Seattle.

Edgar Martinez added a three-run homer for the Mariners, who led, 10-2, after two innings.

Johnson (2-1) gave up six runs and eight hits, struck out 11 and walked five.

Mike Timlin struck out three in two perfect innings.

Frank Castillo (0-1) lasted only two batters into the second inning, getting only three outs.

He was tagged for seven runs and six hits as his ERA rose to 22.85.