Big Inning Makes It Easy For Martinez, 17-1

With Pedro Martinez on the mound, the Boston Red Sox don’t need to score many runs to win. On Saturday, they scored more than enough in the first inning.

Backed by an 11-run first, Martinez cruised to his major league-leading 14th victory Saturday as the Red Sox routed the Chicago White Sox, 17-1, at Boston.

Nomar Garciaparra had two home runs and five runs batted in for the Red Sox, who scored their most runs since a 17-1 victory over Texas on Aug. 5, 1997. Brian Daubach homered and drove in four runs, and Jason Varitek homered and had three RBIs for Boston.

“It’s nice to see offense, to say the least,” Boston Manager Jimy Williams said. “We got a lot of big hits and a lot of people contributed.”

Mike Stanley also homered for the Red Sox, who have won seven of eight games. Boston’s five homers tied a season high.

It was Boston’s biggest first inning since Aug. 13, 1933 against the Philadelphia Athletics, when the Red Sox also scored 11 runs. It was their biggest inning overall since scoring 11 in the third against the New York Yankees on May 31, 1998.

Martinez (14-2) gave up one run and three hits in five innings. He also struck out four, raising his league-leading total to 165.

It wasn’t a difficult save for John Wasdin, who finished with four hitless innings.

“Usually if we get a couple of runs for him, it’s enough for the game,” Daubach said. “With Pedro pitching, you like your chances after an inning like that.”

Martinez didn’t speak to reporters after the game, but left a handwritten note on a clubhouse cabinet that said: “I felt good today, physically and mentally. The day belongs to my teammates for their offensive production.”

Chicago starter James Baldwin (3-8) gave up seven runs and six hits in the first before being replaced with two out by Scott Eyre. Baldwin has lost his last four starts.

“It was not a good performance by Baldwin. Tomorrow we will use him in the bullpen,” Chicago Manager Jerry Manuel said. “It is getting frustrating.”

Kansas City 11, Cleveland 7--The Royals scored 10 runs in the eighth inning and overcame a seven-run deficit at Kansas City for their best comeback victory in eight years.

“This was two games in one,” Kansas City Manager Tony Muser said. “I’ve had a lot of proud moments in my life, but few have been like tonight. They never quit.”

Kansas City trailed, 7-0, after three innings before scoring once in the seventh and 10 times in the eighth off four Cleveland pitchers. The 10 runs were one short of the Royal record for runs in an inning, last achieved Aug. 21, 1995 against Milwaukee.

Jermaine Dye hit a two-run double off Steve Karsay to give the Royals an 8-7 lead and Chad Kreuter hit a three-run double to cap the inning. Jeff Montgomery (1-3) pitched one inning for the win.

“An inning like that almost takes on a life of its own,” Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove said. “That’s what happens when you walk people, don’t throw strikes and allow the other team to build momentum.”

Kansas City, which wore replica uniforms to honor the 1924 Negro Leagues World Series champion Kansas City Monarchs, has won four of five games. Cleveland fell to 1-4 on its current trip.

Minnesota 1, Detroit 0--Joe Mays pitched six shutout innings for his first major league win for the Twins at Detroit.

Mays (1-2), making his second big league start, gave up four hits with three walks and three strikeouts to win a duel with Detroit’s Dave Mlicki (3-7), who gave up six hits.

“I was fortunate enough to get a run and let the bullpen take over,” Mays said. “I had a good slider and a good sinker today. That’s what was working so that’s what I was going with.”

The Tigers have been shut out a major league-high eight times, including twice by the Twins.

New York 7, Baltimore 4--David Cone gave up five hits over eight innings to earn his first victory at Baltimore’s Camden Yards, and Tino Martinez homered and drove in three runs as the Yankees won their fifth in a row.

Cone (8-3) struck out six, walked one and gave up one run in lowering his earned-run average to 2.60. Mariano Rivera got one out for his 20th save.

“We’ve played well here in the past, but I haven’t won a game,” Cone said. “It’s been a tough place for me to pitch, and a lot of that has to do with their lineup. Plus, it’s a hitter’s park. So it’s nice to finally get a win here.”

Chuck Knoblauch had two hits and drove in a run for the Yankees, who have outscored the opposition, 42-19, during their five-game winning streak.

Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 2--Rookie Ryan Rupe won his third consecutive start and Kevin Stocker drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning for the Devil Rays at St. Petersburg, Fla.

“Right now, I’d have to say he’s the ace of our staff--Mr. Consistent--and he’s only going to get better,” Tampa Bay reliever Roberto Hernandez said about Rupe. “He’s going to have his ups and downs, but right now he’s a top-notch pitcher in my book.”

Tampa Bay’s Fred McGriff hit his 18th homer--a 430-foot shot--that tied the score at 2-2 in the sixth inning. It was McGriff’s 376th career homer, tying him for 41st place all-time with Ken Griffey Jr. and Carlton Fisk.