Cruz Hits a Homer in Blue Jay Debut

Jose Cruz Jr., traded a day earlier by Seattle, hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning of his Toronto debut to lead the Blue Jays to a 7-5 victory over the Tigers at Detroit Friday night.

“I’m just glad the last two days are over,” said Cruz, who arrived in Detroit early Friday afternoon. “I’m dead tired. I’m just going to go back to the hotel and try to catch up on some sleep.”

Otis Nixon hit only his ninth career homer and Joe Carter also homered for the Blue Jays, who ended a six-game losing streak. Toronto avoided its first seven-game losing streak since Sept. 1995. The Blue Jays had scored just nine runs during the six-game span.

Cruz, a highly-regarded rookie obtained from the Mariners for relievers Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric, struck out in his other three at-bats. But the talk after the game was all about his homer.

The news reached Milwaukee, too, where the Mariners were playing and lost, 8-3.

“Good for him,” the Mariners’ Jay Buhner said. “God bless him. I hope he lights it up out there. I’m not going to lie to you, I was partial to him. For years this organization has been trying to find a left fielder and I thought he was going to be out there for years to come.”

The Blue Jays trailed, 5-3, when Carter led off the sixth with his 14th homer. After Shawn Green singled, Dan Miceli (2-2) relieved and Cruz hit his 13th homer into the upper deck in right.

Pat Hentgen (11-7) survived home runs from Tony Clark and Raul Casanova to win for only the third time in his last eight starts. Hentgen allowed five runs and three hits in 7 1/3 innings.

New York 8, Minnesota 3--Bernie Williams, playing his first game since July 14, had an RBI double and a single at New York.

Williams, activated from the disabled list after being sidelined by a strained left hamstring, doubled to ignite a five-run fourth inning. He left for a pinch-runner after singling in the seventh.

Andy Pettitte (13-6) gave up a career-high 13 hits, including home runs by Terry Steinbach and Chuck Knoblauch. The left-hander walked none and struck out seven in 8 2/3 innings.

Tino Martinez reached 100 RBIs with a sacrifice fly. He became the first Yankee player to drive in 100 runs in his first 106 games since Roger Maris in 1961.

Boston 10, Kansas City 3--Mo Vaughn, Mike Stanley and Nomar Garciaparra hit home runs at Kansas City as the Red Sox recorded their first victory of the season over the Royals.

Left-hander Steve Avery (5-2) went five innings for Boston, which had lost five consecutive to the Royals this year and 11 of 13 dating back to last season.

Vaughn, who was four for five with two RBIs, singled in the first inning ahead of Stanley’s 13th home run.

Cleveland 8, Texas 5--Matt Williams hit two of Cleveland’s five home runs and the Indians stopped a losing streak at four games by winning at Arlington, Texas.

The Indians, coming off a 4-10 homestand, came from behind twice to get an important seven-game trip off to a positive start.

Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome and Tony Fernandez also homered as the Indians sent Texas to its fourth straight loss.

Oakland 2, Baltimore 1--Matt Stairs singled home pinch-runner Steve Karsay, a pitcher, with none out in the bottom of the ninth to give the Athletics a victory at Oakland.

T.J. Mathews (1-0), making his American League debut after being acquired Thursday in the trade that sent Mark McGwire to St. Louis, pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the victory.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Mo Vaughn Boston 4 for 5, homer, 2 RBIs Win Matt Williams Indians 2 for 5, 2 homers, 2 RBIs Win Tim Salmon Angels 2 for 4, 4 RBIs Win Tino Martinez Yankees Gets 100th RBI Win Fernando Vina Brewers 2 for 3, 3 RBIs Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Cal Eldred Brewers 7 innings, 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks Win

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