Jeter’s Replacement Fits In With Yankees

Erick Almonte couldn’t believe how well he played in his first game as Derek Jeter’s replacement.

Almonte homered and drove in three runs as the New York Yankees defeated Toronto, 9-7, Wednesday night to complete an opening three-game sweep at Toronto.

“This is probably the best game I’ve had in my life,” Almonte said. “I’m just happy.”

Almonte, recalled after Jeter dislocated his left shoulder in Monday’s opener, was two for five in his first major league start.

Almonte singled in the second inning off former NBA player Mark Hendrickson (0-1) for his first career RBI, then hit a two-run homer in the third against Pete Walker for his first major league home run.

Todd Zeile, who replaced Jeter as New York’s No. 2 hitter, also homered and had three RBIs for the Yankees, who have opened with three road victories for the first time since 1942.

For now, the Yankees haven’t been slowed by the loss of Jeter, scheduled for an MRI exam today in Tampa, Fla. New York knows he will be out for at least a month, and might find out today if he needs surgery, which would cost him most of this season.

Kansas City 5, Chicago 4 -- Joe Randa broke a tie with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, as the Royals beat the White Sox for their first 2-0 start in 24 years.

With the score tied, 3-3, Angel Berroa reached on a throwing error by shortstop Tony Graffanino, and Randa homered off Rick White (0-1) at Kansas City, Mo.

Boston 7, Tampa Bay 5 -- Jason Varitek hit a three-run homer and Derek Lowe shrugged off a shaky start to pitch six innings as the Red Sox won at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Lowe gave up five runs and six hits to improve to 6-2 against the Devil Rays, who wasted a 3-0 lead.

Varitek homered off one of the catwalks that support the roof at Tropicana Field, giving Boston a 7-3 lead in the fifth.

The Red Sox also scored three in the third when Kevin Millar and David Ortiz had RBI doubles off loser Jim Parque.

Cleveland 4, Baltimore 2 -- The Indians won their first game under Manager Eric Wedge, beating the Orioles at Baltimore behind a solid pitching performance by rookie Ricardo Rodriguez.

Ellis Burks drove in two runs to lead the Indians and give the 35-year-old Wedge his first victory as a major league manager. Rodriguez (1-0) gave up one run and four hits in seven innings in his eighth career start. His only costly mistake came in the second, when he yielded a solo home run to Tony Batista.

Minnesota 8, Detroit 1 -- Jacque Jones hit a two-run homer and had four RBIs as the Twins routed the Tigers at Detroit.

Twin starter Joe Mays, who made only 17 starts last year because of injury, retired his first six batters and gave up only two hits. He is 8-0 in his last 10 starts against the Tigers.

Oakland 8, Seattle 3 -- American League MVP Miguel Tejada hit a three-run homer and Cy Young winner Barry Zito pitched six solid innings as the Athletics won at Oakland.

Eric Chavez also homered for the defending American League West champions, who won easily again for Manager Ken Macha.