Tue, Apr 15, 2003 - Page 19 News List

Royals lose perfect record to Indians

MLB Kansas was beaten by Cleveland 6-1 to lose its first game of the season, as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 2-0

AP , CLEVELAND AND CINCINNATI, OHIO, MICHIGAN

Boston Red Sox' Bill Mueller, bottom, slides into Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jerry Hairston as he finishes a double play in the third inning at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday.

PHOTO: AP

The Kansas City Royals lost for the first time this season, ending baseball's best start in 13 years, as Ricardo Rodriguez pitched the Cleveland Indians to a 6-1 win.

The Royals were the first club to start 9-0 since the 1990 Cincinnati Reds.

``I just hope everybody enjoyed it as much as I did,'' Kansas City manager Tony Pena said.

Rodriguez kept Kansas City from becoming the eighth team in history to open 10-0, and first since the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers started 13-0.

But he didn't make any friends along the way.

The Royals claim Rodriguez tried to show them up with several flamboyant gestures.

``Hopefully, he'll be around the next time we face them,'' outfielder Michael Tucker said. ``If that's how he wants to come into the league, fine. I'd like to see him do it when he has 20 wins. If he ever lasts that long.''

Milton Bradley had four hits, including his second homer for Cleveland -- and took a few verbal swipes at the Royals, too.

``We brought them down to earth a little, burst their bubble,'' Bradley said. ``They wanted to fight, so I tried to beat them with my bat and glove.''

Rodriguez (2-0) allowed one run and eight hits in seven innings, and rankled the Royals with his flashy attitude. When he struck out Tucker with the bases loaded to end the second, he pumped his fist wildly in celebration.

Devil Rays 2, Yankees 1

In New York, Toby Hall delivered a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, preventing New York from achieving the best start in the 100-year history of the franchise.

At 9-1, the Yankees had tied the best start ever, set by the 1988 team. No Yankees team has ever gone 10-1 at the start and Tampa Bay made sure it stayed that way.

red Sox 2, Orioles 0

In Boston, Derek Lowe and Tim Wakefield combined on a six-hitter and Nomar Garciaparra homered off Rodrigo Lopez (0-2) as Boston rebounded from a rough home opener.

Twins 9, Blue Jays 3

In Toronto, Matthew LeCroy hit a three-run home run and Michael Cuddyer had a solo shot as Minnesota completed a three-game sweep.

White Sox 3, Tigers 2

In Detroit, Bartolo Colon won for the first time with his new team and Chicago sent Detroit to its 10th loss in 11 games this season.

Angels 8, Athletics 2

In Anaheim, California, Anaheim snapped Barry Zito's 10-game winning streak in convincing fashion, scoring in each of the first four innings and getting home runs from Tim Salmon and Troy Glaus.

Mariners 4, Rangers 3, 13 innings

Phillies 13, Reds 1

The Philadelphia Phillies scored a team-record 13 runs in the fourth inning Sunday and thrashed the Cincinnati Reds 13-1.

Bobby Abreu and Jim Thome each scored twice and Ricky Ledee hit a three-run homer to finish the burst at Great American Ball Park.

Braves 7, Marlins 1

In Miami, Greg Maddux, off to the worst start in his career, earned his first win of the season by pitching the Atlanta Braves past the Florida Marlins.

Vinny Castilla homered and drove in five runs as the Braves stopped Florida's four-game winning streak.

Diamondbacks 9, Brewers 3

In Phoenix, Elmer Dessens became the first Arizona starter to win this year and rookie Robby Hammock drove in four runs with a homer and double as the Diamondbacks beat the Milwaukee Brewers.

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