Mcgwire Jolts Giants
The earth shook the last time Mark McGwire and the Oakland Athletics played in San Francisco. This time, McGwire was the one making the stands rock.
McGwire became the first player with 30 homers this season, hitting a three-run shot as Oakland beat the Giants 8-1 Wednesday in the first regular-season game between the neighboring clubs.
Other than spring training exhibitions, it was the first game between the teams - their ballparks are about 30 miles apart by car, a lot closer by ferry - since the earthquake-interrupted 1989 World Series.
Dodgers 5, Angels 4 Anaheim, Calif.
Eric Karros hit a one-out homer off Troy Percival in the ninth inning to lift Los Angeles to victory over Anaheim.
The home run, on a 1-0 pitch from Percival (2-4), was the 19th of the season for Karros and his fourth in four games.
Braves 2, Yankees 0 New York
For Greg Maddux and Atlanta, victory over New York came 8 months too late.
Maddux (11-3), the loser in Game 6 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium last season, dispatched New York with machine-like precision, pitching a three-hitter in the Braves’ victory.
Tigers 9, Mets 7 Detroit
Detroit hit three more home runs for 14 in three games against New York and completed a sweep of the Mets.
Astros 6, Indians 2 Houston
Mike Hampton won his fourth straight home game and hit a two-run triple in a five-run fifth inning, as Houston avoided a sweep with a victory over Cleveland.
The Indians’ Sandy Alomar extended his hitting streak to 28 games, going 3 for 4.
Pirates 3, White Sox 1 Pittsburgh
Jason Schmidt’s five-hitter gave Pittsburgh its third well-pitched game in as many nights and the Pirates finished off a sweep of Chicago.
Rangers 9, Rockies 1 Arlington, Texas
John Burkett pitched a four-hitter and Damon Buford hit a bases-loaded double to highlight a five-run fourth inning that sent Texas past Colorado.
Marlins 3, Red Sox 2 Boston
Felix Heredia struck out Reggie Jefferson with the bases loaded in the seventh inning to preserve Florida’s victory over Boston.
Reds 7, Brewers 4 Cincinnati
Bret Boone emerged from the deepest slump of his career (0 for 26) with a tie-breaking single, helping Cincinnati beat Milwaukee for its first three-game sweep of the season.
Orioles 10, Phillies 6 Baltimore
Jeff Reboulet snapped a tie with a three-run double in the seventh inning, carrying Baltimore to a victory over Philadelphia and a sweep of the threegame series.
Cardinals 2, Twins 1 (10) St. Louis
Willie McGee’s home run with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning lifted St. Louis to victory over Minnesota.
Cubs 3, Royals 2 Chicago
Sammy Sosa hit a solo homer to support Kevin Foster, leading Chicago to a win over Kansas City and its first three-game sweep this season.
Blue Jays 7, Expos 6 (13) Toronto
Joe Carter’s two-out single in the 13th inning gave Toronto a victory over Montreal.
Cordero case unsettled
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilfredo Cordero met with counselors in New York even as negotiations that would allow him to return to the team faltered.
Sources on both sides of the negotiations, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that Red Sox CEO John Harrington had balked at an agreement that would force the team to play or trade Cordero after the All-Star break, if doctors gave him the OK.
Clearing the bases
Los Angeles catcher Mike Piazza and Cincinnati pitcher Kent Mercker were voted the National League’s respective player and pitcher of the month for June. Piazza batted .431 with nine homers and 25 RBIs. Mercker won four games. … Montreal Expos first baseman David Segui has been suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount for charging the mound in Florida last Saturday. … The Boston Red Sox demoted knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to the bullpen and announced Steve Avery, out since May 6, will start Saturday in Chicago. … Nolan Ryan announced he will not run for state agriculture commissioner after all after learning that his endorsements and sports broadcasting commitments would conflict with his campaign.