Bat Tests Negative; Batter Stays Mad

American League

The bat was cleared, but the intrigue continues.

The American League office announced Monday that X-rays of Tony Phillips’ bat show “no sign of tampering or an illegal substance.”

New York Yankees manager Buck Showalter interrupted the start of Sunday’s game against the California Angels to have the bat of their leadoff hitter confiscated by the umpiring crew. It was X-rayed at Yankee Stadium after the game and then delivered to the league office by umpire Dave Phillips. Was Showalter surprised by the findings?

“Not necessarily,” the manager said. “I knew there was a possibility there wouldn’t be anything.”

Tony Phillips was outraged, and let loose with an expletive-laden tirade against the Yankees’ manager. Showalter did not give a reason for his action, saying only it was within the rules.

“It was possibly for people we’ll play down the road,” he said. “Our pitchers, in a way, were glad to see it and I think other pitchers were glad too.”

Owners set to meet

Baseball owners gather today in Minneapolis to count their losses and try to figure out what to do next in their 2 1/2-year-old negotiations with the players union.

Going into the three-day session, it didn’t appear any major decisions would be made. Owners and players haven’t had a formal negotiating session since March 30, the day before a federal court injunction caused players to end their strike after 232 days.

Clearing the bases

Minnesota starting pitcher Kevin Tapani agreed to a one-year $3.6 million contract… . Kansas City second baseman Chico Lind has returned to Puerto Rico to be with his family and deal with personal problems, according to his agent… . New York’s Buck Showalter tied Billy Martin’s record for most games managed under owner George Steinbrenner with his 471st successive game… . Minnesota pitcher Kevin Tapani settled his arbitration case by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $3.6 million, a raise of $1,025,000.

Indians 8, Tigers 0

Cleveland

Orel Hershiser pitched his first shutout since 1989, striking out nine, and Kenny Lofton twice led off innings with home runs as Cleveland beat Detroit.

Hershiser (5-1) won his fifth straight decision with his first shutout since he underwent surgery on his right shoulder in April 1990. It was the 25th shutout of his career; he pitched four in 1989.

Royals 4, Rangers 1

Arlington, Texas

Kevin Appier won his seventh game, tops in the American League, and streaking Kansas City captured its 10th victory in its last 11 games.

Appier (7-2) survived a 33-pitch first inning that included three walks and settled down to dominate a patchwork Rangers lineup that included Mickey Tettleton catching and Rusty Greer in center field, both for the first time this season.

Red Sox 3, Angels 2

Boston

Mo Vaughn’s 13th home run snapped a tie and boosted Erik Hanson’s record to 6-0 as Boston won its seventh consecutive game.

Hanson allowed seven hits in seven innings, striking out three and walking two. Ken Ryan pitched the ninth for his seventh save.

Athletics 11, Yankees 5

New York

Mike Bordick’s two-run double ignited a four-run second inning for Oakland and the Athletics went on to defeat New York.

Ron Darling (2-2) allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out two.

White Sox 3, Blue Jays 2

Chicago

Lance Johnson had three hits, including a two-run triple, to lead Chicago past Toronto.

Jim Abbott (3-2) hurled 7 2/3 innings while scattering five hits to get the win.