Irabu Bad, but Yankees Still Win

Bernie Williams helped the New York Yankees overcome another poor effort by Hideki Irabu.

Williams hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the ninth inning Sunday as the Yankees rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the Royals, 9-8, at Kansas City.

It was the Yankees’ 14th victory in their last 15 games against the Royals.

Irabu, bumped from the rotation after owner George Steinbrenner called him a “fat . . . toad” late in spring training, made his first start of the season because Roger Clemens went on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.

Irabu was pounded for six runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings, giving up home runs to Joe Randa, Johnny Damon and Larry Sutton. Irabu’s earned-run average is 7.24.

The Yankees, who have won nine of their last 11, trailed 6-2. They went ahead with a five-run sixth, but Jason Grimsley (2-0) gave up a run-scoring single to Carlos Febles in the seventh.

Paul O’Neill, who tripled leading off the sixth, reached on infield single against Jose Santiago (1-2) starting the ninth, and Williams followed with only his second homer in 95 at-bats this season.

Mariano Rivera, New York’s fifth pitcher, finished for his seventh save in eight chances, allowing a run-scoring single by Febles, who had three hits and three runs batted in.

Seattle 3, Toronto 2--David Bell had a game-tying homer and Butch Huskey hit a game-winning single in the ninth inning at Seattle.

The Mariners trailed, 2-1, when Bell homered against Peter Munro leading off the ninth. It was Bell’s seventh homer.

Ken Griffey Jr. singled against Dan Plesac (0-1), Russ Davis sacrificed and Robert Person came on and struck out Dan Wilson. Huskey then lined a single to left, sending the Blue Jays to their eighth loss in 10 games following an eight-game winning streak.

Oakland 7, Boston 5--Jason Giambi’s two-run single in the sixth inning at Oakland put the Athletics ahead to stay.

The Red Sox led, 5-4, in the sixth following John Valentin’s three-run homer. But Giambi hit a bases-loaded single against Jim Corsi, who had relieved Tim Harikkala (1-1). One out later, Olmedo Saenz had a run-scoring double.

Doug Jones (1-0) gave up one hit in three shutout innings, and Bill Taylor pitched the ninth for his sixth save.

Baltimore 6, Minnesota 0--The Orioles won their first series of the season as Mike Mussina and two relievers combined for six-hitter at Baltimore .

Albert Belle and Delino DeShields homered for the Orioles, who took two of three from the last-place Twins. The Orioles had lost seven series this season and 11 in a row since mid-September.

Mussina (4-1) gave up six hits, walked one and struck out three in seven innings.

Texas 8, Cleveland 6--Rafael Palmeiro had three hits, including his 2,000th, and Juan Gonzalez hit his third homer in as many games to lead the Rangers at Arlington, Texas.

Palmeiro had two doubles and two runs batted in. The milestone came on his second hit, a run-scoring double that capped a five-run fourth inning.

Mark Clark (2-2), pitching on three days’ rest for the first time in two years, gave up four runs and six hits in seven-plus innings. It was the second-longest stint by a Texas starter this season.

John Wetteland got three outs for his ninth save, allowing a homer to Richie Sexson.