Silent Strawberry Takes Class A Field
American League
The morning after vowing to no longer speak to the media, Darryl Strawberry brushed silently past a group of reporters Friday as he entered the New York Yankees’ minor-league complex at Tampa, Fla. Strawberry, under house arrest after pleading guilty in February to federal tax-evasion charges, was reporting for his first full workout since agreeing Monday to a one-year deal with the Yankees.
Ninety minutes after his arrival, Strawberry emerged from the clubhouse onto the training field and stretched as he mingled with Yankees Jimmy Key, Scott Kamieniecki and Pat Kelly, all in Tampa on injury rehabilitation assignment.
Strawberry, whose 60-day suspension from baseball for cocaine use ends today, is expected to play briefly next week for the Class A Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League. The eight-time All-Star may make his American League debut Friday when the Yankees play in Milwaukee.
More on New York
While the signing of Strawberry grabbed all of the attention, the Yankees may be intensifying their efforts to solve their biggest problem - starting pitching - by trading for Kevin Tapani of Minnesota.
Royals 4, Twins 0
Kansas City, Mo.
Kevin Appier (11-2) reached 11 victories quicker than any pitcher in Kansas City history, allowing only three hits in 7 innings against Minnesota.
Appier’s ERA dropped from 2.19 to 2.04 in his league-leading 13th start. Bret Saberhagen owned the previous team record of 11 victories in 57 games in 1987. Appier reached 11 in the 51st game.
Yankees 6, Blue Jays 2
New York
Jack McDowell outpitched an unusually wild David Cone in a matchup of the A.L’s last two Cy Young Award winners, leading New York past Toronto in a light drizzle. The Blue Jays, playing without suspended Roberto Alomar and injured Devon White, matched a season high with their fourth loss in a row.
McDowell (4-4), the 1993 Cy Young winner with Chicago, won his third straight start. He began the game with a 3-10 career record and 6.20 ERA in the regular season and playoffs against the Blue Jays, but limited them to two runs in 6 innings.
Orioles 7, Red Sox 5
Baltimore
Mike Mussina rebounded from two straight miserable performances with 6 solid innings as Baltimore beat error-prone Boston. The Orioles had lost two straight and nine of 11. Baltimore scored three unearned runs off two Boston errors.
Tigers 5, Brewers 2
Detroit
David Wells stayed undefeated at Tiger Stadium this season and came within one out of a complete game as Detroit, hitting four home runs, beat Milwaukee.
It was the Brewers’ second loss in their last nine road games.
Rangers 7, Athletics 4
Arlington, Texas
Will Clark’s two-run single keyed a four-run fourth inning and Texas took advantage of Dave Stewart’s wildness for Oakland. Kenny Rogers (8-3) got his fifth straight home victory despite lasting only five innings - tying his second-shortest outing of the season.
White Sox 12, Indians 5
Chicago
Chicago looked nothing like a team that’s 17 games out of first place, pounding out a season-high 20 hits. The loss was just the Indians’ fifth in their last 19 games and their second straight. The last time Cleveland dropped two in a row was April 28-29 at Texas.