Alomar Makes Peace as Orioles Win

First, Roberto Alomar jogged out of his way to shake hands with umpire John Hirschbeck. Then he trotted around the bases to score the Orioles’ first run in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday at Baltimore.

Alomar had one hit in three at-bats with a walk, but his performance was meaningless compared to his reconciliatory gesture before the first pitch was thrown.

It was the first time that Alomar and Hirschbeck were on the same field since Sept. 27 in Toronto, when Alomar spit in the umpire’s face after being ejected for arguing a called third strike.

Their reunion was radically different. Alomar veered out of his way into short right field to shake hands and say a few words to Hirschbeck before taking his position at second base.

After the game, Hirschbeck relayed the exchange.

“I’m sorry,” Alomar said.

“Thanks, now maybe they’ll let us both do our jobs,” Hirschbeck replied.

Alomar refused comment after the game.

But Oriole Manager Davey Johnson hoped the handshake would bring an end to the endless stream of questions he’s had to field since that unforgettable night in Toronto.

“I thought it was a great gesture,” Johnson said. “I thought it was a couple of good men, getting it all over with. He’s a good umpire, Robbie’s a good player. Let’s play baseball--no more questions.”

After Alomar singled in the sixth, he was called out by Hirschbeck when first baseman Frank Thomas caught a line drive by Rafael Palmeiro and stepped on the bag ahead of the diving Alomar. There was no argument.

The Orioles took a 3-0 lead in the first. Danny Darwin walked Alomar on four pitches and Palmeiro hit Darwin’s next offering over the right-field wall. Eric Davis, returning from a four-game absence because of a bruised shoulder, followed with his first home run for Baltimore.

Chicago closed to 3-2 in the sixth on a run-scoring groundout by Albert Belle and a run-scoring single by Dave Martinez. A diving stop by shortstop Mike Bordick on a sharp grounder by Ron Karkovice ended the inning with the tying run at third base.

New York 10, Milwaukee 2--Andy Pettitte pitched a six-hitter for his fourth victory and the Yankees scored eight runs in the fifth inning at New York.

Tino Martinez, Derek Jeter and Joe Girardi drove in two runs each and Pettitte (4-0) threw his first complete game in five starts, walking one and striking out two for the Yankees.

Milwaukee, which lost its third consecutive game, committed two critical errors that made four of the Yankees’ runs unearned in the eight-run fifth. Jeff D’Amico made his first start of the season for the Brewers, lasted into the fifth inning, giving up nine hits and eight runs.

Boston 8, Cleveland 2--Steve Avery continued his mastery of the Indians, giving up three hits in six innings in the Red Sox victory at Cleveland.

Avery (2-1) struck out three, walked five and gave up one run--the identical pitching line he had in a Game 4 victory over Cleveland in the 1995 World Series, when the left-hander was with Atlanta.

He retired 11 consecutive batters in the third through sixth innings to beat the Indians for the second time this season and third time in his career.

Mo Vaughn and Reggie Jefferson each drove in two runs for Boston, which ended a six-game losing streak at Cleveland.

Minnesota 5, Oakland 3--Ron Coomer’s three-run double broke up a scoreless game in the Twins’ victory at Oakland.

Brad Radke (1-1) gave up only three hits--including solo home runs by Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco--and struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings. Rick Aguilera pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

It was the first time this season McGwire and Canseco homered in the same game, and the 43rd time they’ve done it, tying them with Ernie Banks and Ron Santo of the Chicago Cubs for 12th place on the career list.

Minnesota catcher Terry Steinbach had a key lead-off double in the fifth in his first game back to Oakland after spending the first 10 years of his career with the A’s.

Seattle 7, Kansas City 2--Jeff Fassero pitched eight strong innings to stay unbeaten and Joey Cora hit his 14th career home run in the Mariners’ victory at Seattle.

Fassero (4-0), traded from Montreal for three minor leaguers last October, gave up five hits and one run. He struck out seven and walked one.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result N. Garciaparra Boston 4 for 4, 3 runs, 1 homer Win Eric Davis Baltimore 2 for 3, 1 homer Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Brad Radke Oakland 7 2/3 innings, 3 hits, Win 3 runs, 7 strikeouts Jeff Fassero Seattle 8 innings, 5 hits, 1 run Win Steve Avery Boston 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 runs Win Andy Pettite N.Y. Yankees 8 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs Win

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