Five Fans Run on Field at Toronto

Five fans ran onto the field on three separate occasions in the ninth inning during Baltimore’s 9-2 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday night at Toronto.

The fans were tackled by grounds crew members. Blue Jay spokesman Mike Shaw said the fans received notices to appear in court to face trespassing charges. They are also banned from SkyDome.

“I hope they beat them,” said Baltimore starter Sidney Ponson, whose complete game was interrupted.

“They know they are going to jail. They probably had one too many beers. They know they are going to get into trouble. I don’t know why they do it. They are slowing the game down. They always complain that games are too long, then you get these idiots running on the field,” Ponson said.

Baltimore Manager Mike Hargrove said until fans get punished severely for running onto the field, they’ll keep doing it.

“It’s ridiculous,” Hargrove said. “That’s the first time I’ve seen it in Toronto. I was surprised.”

In the game, Melvin Mora homered, doubled and singled in his return to the Oriole lineup.

Mora had not played since being hit in the right hand by a pitch from Atlanta’s Greg Maddux on Friday. After sitting out four games, Mora came back to go three for five, raising his AL-leading average to .366, and score three times.

Texas 9, Oakland 8 -- Rafael Palmeiro homered twice and Michael Young hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning as the Rangers won at Arlington, Texas.

A 15-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy were hurt when a bat swung by Ranger outfielder Carl Everett slipped out of his hands and flew into the stands near the Ranger dugout.

Both were conscious but bleeding from cuts. Ranger spokesman John Blake said the girl was taken to Baylor Medical Center for observation.

The boy was treated at the stadium and went home with family members.

New York 8, Tampa Bay 5 -- Hideki Matsui drove in three runs and Andy Pettitte pitched into the eighth inning at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Devil Ray pitchers issued a team-record 12 walks.

Boston 11, Detroit 2 -- Nomar Garciaparra homered to cap a nine-run outburst in the eighth inning at Boston. Mike Maroth picked up his major league-leading 12th loss despite pitching seven strong innings.

Kansas City 3, Cleveland 1 -- Rookie Angel Berroa and Desi Relaford hit RBI singles in the 10th inning at Cleveland.

Minnesota 6, Chicago 5 -- Jacque Jones hit a solo homer off Billy Koch in the 11th inning at Minneapolis.