AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Abbott Is Apple of Yankee Eyes

For Jim Abbott, for George Steinbrenner, for the New York Yankees and for the fans, it was a home opener to cheer and cherish.

Abbott, looking like the ace the Yankees have been searching for, out-pitched David Cone and led New York past the Kansas City Royals, 4-1, Monday.

Steinbrenner, allowed back in his owner’s box for the first time since his banishment, and a crowd of 56,704, the largest for a regular-season game at Yankee Stadium since the ballpark was remodeled for the 1976 season, were buzzing from the first pitch to the final out.

“Couldn’t ask for more,” Abbott said. “It was a tremendous rush, one that I will remember for a long time.

“Yeah, there was a lot of nervousness. I had butterflies. All day, I was kind of fidgety. But when I walked out on the field, the fans started cheering. The size, the intensity, I got a kick out of the New York fans, the way they were jumping around.”

Abbott’s parents saw him win in his first game in New York with the Yankees since they got him in December in a deal that sent three young players to the Angels. The crowd saw several other new Yankees make contributions, too.

Paul O’Neill went four for four with a triple and double, driving in two runs and scoring once. Spike Owen singled to set up the Yankees’ first run, and Wade Boggs drove it in with a single during the second inning.

Abbott (1-1) said he had a great time, from the time he greeted North Carolina basketball Coach Dean Smith on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch to the time he looked to the sky in triumph when Harvey Pulliam flied out for the last out.

Abbott gave up eight hits and stayed in control by walking none and striking out four. He threw only 85 pitches, 61 for strikes.

“How about that Jim Abbott?” Cone said. “He was great.”

Texas 6, Baltimore 3--Juan Gonzalez hit two more home runs at Arlington, Tex., as the Rangers scored their fifth victory in six games.

Gonzalez, who led the majors with 43 homers last season, leads this season with five. He connected twice on opening day in Baltimore. Gonzalez had his 10th multi-homer game for Texas, tying the team record held by Larry Parrish and Toby Harrah. Of Gonzalez’s six hits this season, five are home runs.

John Russell also homered for the Rangers, whose 13 home runs are the most in the major leagues.

Gonzalez hit a two-run homer during the sixth, putting Texas ahead, 5-3. He connected against Mike Mussina (0-1) after a single by Jose Canseco.

Minnesota 3, Chicago 2--Kirby Puckett’s run-scoring double capped a three-run eighth inning, leading the Twins at Chicago.

Jim Deshaies (2-0) outpitched Kirk McCaskill (0-2) for the second time this season. Unlike their meeting six days ago in the Metrodome, the temperature was 39 degrees at game time.

Deshaies gave up five hits, walked three and struck out one in seven innings. Rick Aguilera pitched the ninth, and has saved all four of Minnesota’s victories this season. Aguilera walked two before striking out Carlton Fisk to end the game.