Orioles Finally Find a Pitcher They Like

The Baltimore Orioles got a break Saturday. The Rocket ran out of fuel.

After Baltimore put up nothing but zeros against Roger Clemens to extend its scoreless innings streak to 25, B.J. Surhoff took advantage of the Toronto bullpen and came through with a two-out, bases-loaded single in the eighth to end the streak and lead the way to a 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays at Toronto.

“I thought when they went up 1-0 it was over the way Roger was pitching,” Oriole starting pitcher Scott Erickson said. “But I was able to keep our team in the game and we finally came up with a clutch hit.”

Coming off consecutive shutout losses to Montreal’s Carlos Perez and Toronto’s Pat Hentgen, the Orioles had only four hits through seven innings against Clemens.

But Baltimore rallied after Clemens took himself out after the seventh.

“I was spent after the sixth,” said Clemens, who was relieved by Dan Plesac (0-3) to start the eighth. “But when the guys scratched out a run in the seventh I wanted to get through another inning and put us six outs away from the win.”

Erickson (10-2) gave up one run and six hits over 7 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one. Jesse Orosco and Armando Benitez pitched the final 1 2/3 innings.

Cleveland 13, New York 4--Manny Ramirez had four hits, including a grand slam and career-high six runs batted in, as the Indians ended the Yankees’ seven-game winning streak at Jacobs Field.

The Indians had 15 hits to awaken from recent offensive doldrums that were uncharacteristic of the two-time defending Central champions.

“Maybe the last week, the fans didn’t see the real Cleveland Indians,” said Sandy Alomar, who extended his hitting streak to 20 games. “I think they got their money’s worth today.”

Cleveland beat New York at Jacobs Field for the first time since September, 1995. The Yankees dropped to 13-3 there, but are still the only visiting team with a winning record.

The victory ended a six-game losing streak overall against the Yankees.

After New York jumped on Cleveland pitcher Orel Hershiser for three runs in the third inning, Andy Pettitte (8-5) lost his control and walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning. Jim Thome lined a double off the left-field wall to drive in two and tie the score at 3.

“Sometimes I feel like I have too much stuff,” said Pettitte, who lost his second consecutive start. “I can’t decide on which pitch because I have so many. My head is spinning out there.”

Hershiser (7-3) gave up an RBI single to Cecil Fielder in the sixth, his final inning. He gave up four runs and eight hits, walking two and striking out two.

Chicago 5, Minnesota 3--James Baldwin, Tony Castillo and Roberto Hernandez combined on a five-hitter to lead the White Sox at Chicago.

Baldwin (4-8), who already has lost two more games than he did during his 1996 rookie season, gave up four hits in 6 1/3 innings. After Matt Lawton’s run-scoring single in the third inning gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead, Baldwin retired 11 consecutive batters before giving up Ron Coomer’s single in the seventh.

“The biggest point was me going out there and being aggressive,” Baldwin said. “I wanted to keep the defense on their toes and pick up the pace a little bit. We had great defense.”

Castillo relieved and retired five batters before giving way to Hernandez, who pitched the ninth for his 15th save.

Chicago’s Dave Martinez became only the 13th AL first baseman to make two unassisted double plays in a game.

Detroit 15, Boston 4--Tony Clark homered and drove in a career-high five runs, leading the Tigers in a rain-delayed game at Detroit.

Boston backup infielder Mike Benjamin pitched a perfect eighth inning. He was the only one of five Red Sox pitchers to retire the Tigers in order.

Benjamin, in his first appearance on the mound, became the first position player to pitch for the Red Sox since Andy Tomberlin in 1994. In the ninth, Benjamin singled for his first RBI of the season.

Damion Easley and Travis Fryman hit consecutive homers in a five-run second inning. The Tigers broke open the game with four runs in the sixth for a 10-2 lead.

Easley drove in three runs and Brian Hunter scored four times.

The game was delayed by rain for over a hour in the second inning.

Kansas City at Milwaukee--The game was postponed because of rain and will be played on a date yet to be determined.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Manny Ramirez Cleveland 4 for 5, 6 RBIs, 2 doubles, grand slam Win Tony Clark Detroit 3 for 5, 5 RBIs, double, home run Win Jay Buhner Seattle 2 for 5, 5 RBIs, 2 runs, home run Win Brian Hunter Detroit four runs, two RBIs from leadoff spot Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Scott Erickson Baltimore 7 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 3 strikeouts Win Roger Clemens Toronto 7 innings, 4 hits, 0 runs, 8 strikeouts Loss

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