Good Start for Blue Jays’ Painter

Lance Painter dominated Baltimore for five innings. There was no chance he was going to pitch any further.

Painter, a reliever making his first start of the season, gave up only two hits in five innings at Toronto as the Blue Jays beat the Orioles for the 13th consecutive time, 7-2, Wednesday night.

“I was gassed after five. That last inning took everything I had,” said Painter, who still had pie cream on his face after Raul Mondesi splattered him during a postgame interview. “People don’t realize the physical toll that starting takes on you. I can throw three or four nights in a row and not have the same toll on my body.”

Painter (1-0) struck out a career-high eight and gave up only one run. The left-hander replaced Roy Halladay, who is working out his problems in the bullpen, in the Toronto rotation.

“I’m going to be in there one or two more times, than hopefully we’ll have ‘Doc’ back and have him pitch the way he’s capable of pitching,” Painter said. “I don’t think there is any doubt he’ll be one of our horses.”

The Blue Jays swept the three-game series and have won 14 consecutive games at home against the Orioles, who lost for the seventh time in eight games overall.

Baltimore starter Scott Erickson was roughed up for seven runs on 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings.

“It was ugly and embarrassing,” Erickson said. “I don’t expect any more games like this to happen.”

Tony Batista hit a home run for the Blue Jays, who have 53 in their 21 home games and at least one in each.

Minnesota 10, Cleveland 9--Midre Cummings’ two-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning capped the biggest comeback in the Twins’ 40-year history, giving them a victory over the Indians at Minneapolis.

Minnesota trailed, 8-1, in the seventh inning and, 9-7, in the ninth. On Tuesday night, the Twins rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Cleveland.

Cummings’ homer off Steve Karsay (0-2) capped a three-run ninth inning and made a winner of Eddie Guardado (3-1), who gave up David Justice’s solo homer in the top of the inning.

Texas 7, Seattle 6--David Segui went three for five with a winning two-run homer in the ninth and five RBIs at Arlington, Texas.

Ranger reliever John Wetteland (3-1), seeking his 300th career save, won a third consecutive decision for the first time in his major league career.

Kansas City 6, Detroit 0--Royal rookie Chris Fussell (3-1) gave up two hits in six innings at Detroit as the Tigers were shut out for the sixth time this season and dropped to 9-23, their worst record in 47 years.

Hideo Nomo (1-2) gave up six runs, eight hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings, making a throwing error in the second that allowed Kansas City’s first to run score.

Boston 5, Chicago 3--Brian Daubach doubled to score the Red Sox’s first run and added a two-run homer to lead Boston to a victory over visiting Chicago in a game called after six innings because of rain.

Ramon Martinez (3-2) pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four in a steady rain that grew heavier around the fifth inning.

Tampa Bay-New York, ppd.--The Devil Ray-Yankee game was rained out and will be replayed today, originally an off day for both teams.