Rodriguez Experiences Rude Return and a Loss

Alex Rodriguez’s millions didn’t get him a victory in his return to Seattle.

Booed every time he walked to the plate, Rodriguez was one for five with a single Monday night as his Texas Rangers lost to the Mariners, 9-7.

A sellout crowd of 45,657 not only booed the four-time all-star, whose $252-million, 10-year contract is the richest in sports history, but some fans threw fake money from the upper decks of Safeco Field.

With the fans holding up signs such as “A-Wad” and “A-Rod Please Buy Me A House,” the Mariners improved their franchise-best start to 10-3.

Rodriguez played with Seattle from 1994 until 2000, helping the Mariners reach the AL championship series last season.

Rafael Palmeiro provided most of the Rangers’ offense, homering twice and driving in five runs.

Aaron Sele, given a 6-0 lead, was chased in a four-run third inning. Ryan Franklin (2-0) relieved and gave up one run on three hits in four innings.

Boston 4, New York 1--Bargain free agent Frank Castillo beat his big-bucks counterpart Mike Mussina as the Red Sox took three of four games against the Yankees in the series at Boston. Castillo (1-1), who signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract, gave up two hits in six shutout innings.

Mussina (1-1), who has a six-year, $88.5 million deal, gave up three runs on eight hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and no walks.

“You really don’t think about how much Mussina made,” said Castillo, who retired 18 of the 20 batters he faced. “You’re just competing against their lineup. If you make [good] pitches, you’re going to get outs. I try to keep it simple.”

Boston never trailed after Darren Lewis tripled in the first inning and scored on Trot Nixon’s groundout.

Baltimore 6, Tampa Bay 2--Greg Myers drove in three runs with a homer and a two-run single before a crowd of 24,558 at Baltimore, only the fourth time in the 10-year history of Camden Yards that the Orioles drew fewer than 30,000 fans.

Jason Johnson (1-0) became the first Baltimore starter to earn a victory this season, giving up one run on three hits in six innings.

Kansas City 5, Minnesota 3--Jermaine Dye and Mark Quinn each hit two-run homers off Joe Mays (2-1) as the Royals ended the division-leading Twins’ six-game winning streak at Minneapolis.

The Royals have won three of four against Minnesota for the Twins’ lone defeats.

Dan Reichert (1-1) gave up three runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Kansas City closer Roberto Hernandez pitched the ninth for his third save.

Around the League

Tampa Bay’s Vinny Castilla, frustrated over being benched, has asked the Devil Rays to either trade him or release him.

“I just want to get out of here. They don’t play me anymore,” said Castilla, earning $7 million this season. “If they don’t want me here, then I don’t want to be here, either.”

Castilla is hitless in his last 18 at-bats and is batting .206.