Cruz Smashing in Debut in Toronto

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Aug. 7, 1997 12 AM PT

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From Associated Press

Jose Cruz Jr.’s Blue Jays debut at Toronto was a smashing success.

Cruz hit his third home run in six games with the Blue Jays and made a key defensive play to lead Toronto to a 6-3 victory Wednesday over the Indians.

His 15th home run--a solo shot to right--with one out in the seventh off loser Albie Lopez (3-5) broke a 3-3 tie.

Acquired July 31 from Seattle for relievers Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric, Cruz also turned in the defensive play of the night, easily throwing out David Justice at the plate in the eighth to prevent the tying run from scoring.

Pat Hentgen (12-7) gave up three runs on 11 hits over seven innings to earn the victory. He struck out five and walked two as Toronto turned a season-high five double plays en route to only its third victory in the team’s last 12 games.

“It’s definitely frustrating for me to give up 10 or 11 hits again,” said Hentgen who gave up nine hits in his previous start last Friday against Detroit. “I guess I’m just fortunate that I spread them out a bit tonight.”

Kelvim Escobar pitched the ninth to earn his seventh save in seven chances, despite three walks.

Kansas City 5, Detroit 4--With five consecutive losses, Royal left-hander Jose Rosado figured it was about time to change his pitching pattern. He did and it changed his luck.

His teammates did the rest--with defense.

“I was working on my curveball between starts,” said Rosado, who won for the first time in nearly two months. “I threw more curveballs than changeups tonight.”

Rosado (8-8), the winning pitcher in the All-Star game, gave up four runs and nine hits in the first four innings at Kansas City, but retired the next 12 in a row en route to his first victory since beating Houston on June 16.

Boston 5, Minnesota 2--Tim Wakefield had no objection to pitching on two days of rest. In fact, the knuckleball pitcher volunteered for the extra duty.

“I didn’t have a problem doing it. I can throw on two days rest. I’ve done it in the past,” said Wakefield, who struck out seven and didn’t allow a walk in seven innings as the Red Sox beat the Twins at Minneapolis.

Wakefield (6-13), who pitched seven innings Sunday at Kansas City, replaced scheduled starter Steve Avery, scratched because of a stiff neck. Avery will take Wakefield’s spot Friday at Boston against the Royals.

Texas 6, New York 2--Mike Simms, playing because Juan Gonzalez was in Puerto Rico on personal business, singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning and added a sacrifice fly in the eighth as the Rangers beat the visiting Yankees in a game twice-delayed by rain.

Will Clark reached the 1,000-RBI plateau with a sacrifice fly in the eighth for the Rangers, who took a 3-2 lead in the sixth with four singles off Yankees starter Andy Pettitte (13-7).

Ivan Rodriguez singled, went to second on a fly ball and scored on a single by Jim Leyritz. Clark followed with a single, and Simms--hitting only .236--singled Leyritz across.

Oakland 3, Chicago 2--Rafael Bournigal had a tie-breaking two-out single in the seventh inning as the Athletics beat the visiting White Sox for their second victory in 11 games.

Scott Brosius stretched a two-out roller into short right field for a double, then scored on Bournigal’s bloop single to center off Jamie Navarro (8-10).

T.J. Mathews (2-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the victory, and Billy Taylor got the final three outs for his 20th save.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Shawn Green

Team: Toronto

Performance: 2 for 3, homer, 2 RBIs

Team’s Result: Win

Player: Tino Martinez

Team: New York

Performance: 2 for 3, homer, 1 RBI; now has 37 home runs

Team’s Result: Loss