Hawkins Ends Nine-Month Losing Streak

LaTroy Hawkins may have won for the first time since July 27, ending a string of seven consecutive losses, but he wasn’t satisfied after Monday’s game at Kansas City.

“It seems so easy. But it’s hard,” the Minnesota right-hander said after defeating Kansas City, 6-4. “My mechanics are bad.”

Twin Manager Tom Kelly was hardly flattering.

“I think he can do better,” Kelly said. “He did OK. He needs to be a little more consistent. I expect more from him.”

Hawkins went six innings and gave up five hits and three runs.

Marty Cordova’s three-run homer capped a five-run seventh inning, all the Twins needed against the Royals.

Rick Aguilera worked the ninth for his third save.

Tampa Bay 4, Boston 1--Rolando Arrojo pitched seven strong innings and John Flaherty drove in two runs with a double and home run as the Devil Rays defeated the Red Sox in the annual Patriots’ Day game at Boston.

The Devil Rays won three of four games in the weekend series, holding the Red Sox to two runs or less in each of the victories. Boston has dropped five of seven after beginning the season 5-1.

AROUND THE MAJORS / Bone Spur, Tendon Damage Lead to Surgery for Bonds

After Monday’s victory over Florida, the San Francisco Giants learned Barry Bonds needs surgery to repair a bone spur in his left elbow and a damaged triceps tendon.

Giant Manager Dusty Baker said he found out after the game that Bonds will have surgery this morning. There was no indication of how long the all-star left fielder, batting .366 with four home runs and 12 run batted in, would be out of the lineup.

“We just pray that it’s not too severe and that he makes a quick recovery,” Baker said.

An MRI earlier Monday revealed Bonds’ bone spur. He got a second opinion from San Jose Shark physician Arthur Ting, who will handle the surgery.

“There’s a lot of swelling in the joint,” Giant trainer Mark Letendre said. “He is incapable of performing baseball at this juncture. It just came on.”

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Baltimore placed third baseman Cal Ripken on the 15-day disabled list because of nerve irritation in his lower back, the first time he’s been on the DL in his 19-year major league career.

Ripken was examined Monday in Cleveland by Dr. Henry Bohlman, a back and neck specialist. Ripken will receive a cortisone shot today and then begin a rehabilitation program, a team spokesman said.

Ripken, 38, has missed four games this season because of back problems, which have contributed to his .179 batting average and five errors in eight games. He has no home runs and two runs batted in.

The Orioles will also put first baseman Will Clark on the 15-day DL because of a broken left thumb suffered Sunday.

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Boston closer Tom Gordon was diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow, a day after being placed on the 15-day disabled list. The extent of the injury was revealed when Gordon underwent an MRI exam. He’ll receive a cortisone injection and then be reevaluated, the team said.

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Ken Grandquist, longtime owner of the triple-A Iowa Cubs, is in critical condition at a Des Moines hospital after a stroke during the team’s home opener Saturday night. Grandquist, 75, is unconscious and breathing with the help of a ventilator, said team general manager San Bernabe, who is acting as a spokesman for the family. . . . Major league baseball drew an average of 45,981 fans for its 30 home openers this year, an increase of 2.2% over 1998. Overall, 17 of the 30 major-league clubs drew bigger crowds this year than last season.