Irabu’s Return to New York a Success

A two-week summer vacation in Ohio might have been just what Hideki Irabu needed to deal with New York.

Irabu, demoted to the minors last month after four starts, picked up his third win, and Tino Martinez hit his major-league-leading 39th home run, leading the Yankees over the Kansas City Royals, 9-3, Wednesday at New York.

Irabu (3-2) gave up three runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings, struck out five--four of his first five batters--and walked two.

“I thought he was a lot better,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “He was aggressive, he threw good splitters. He didn’t look like he was uptight in any way. That’s what we wanted, to clear his head out.”

The Yankees had sent Irabu, their $12.8-million enigma, to their triple-A Columbus team after he lasted only two innings in his last start on July 26 and saw his earned-run average climb to 7.97.

At the time, Irabu seemed uncomfortable with the attention surrounding his arrival with the World Series champions, and it was affecting his performance on the mound.

But Wednesday, Irabu showed signs the minor-league respite might have been just what he needed.

“He was much different,” Yankee catcher Joe Girardi said. “His velocity was totally different. . . . Today, he stuck with his game plan, executed it and that’s why he won.”

Torre said Irabu would start one game of a doubleheader next week against the Angels at Anaheim.

Texas 7, Boston 6--Tanyon Sturtze, who grew up in nearby Worcester, Mass., pitched five innings for only his second major-league win as the Rangers prevailed at Boston.

Sturtze (1-0) got most of his support from Juan Gonzalez, who went three for four with two homers and five RBIs. Gonzalez snapped out of a two-for-21 slump over his last five games.

It was the first American League win for Sturtze, who gave up three runs and seven hits. He left 62 tickets for his entourage, with many more in attendance.

“I think this win at home was a lot more special than my first major-league win,” Sturtze said.

Detroit 13-1, Cleveland 3-9--Orel Hershiser came off the disabled list and rescued the Indians in the second game at Cleveland, pitching 5 2/3 strong innings.

The Tigers hit four homers in the first-game blowout, with Damion Easley falling a single short of hitting for the cycle.

Hershiser (10-5) won in his first start since July 28, reaching double digits in wins for the 11th time in his career. He threw only 78 pitches, giving up one run and five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

With the split, Cleveland is 10-18 since July 18.

Oakland 4, Baltimore 2--The Athletics hit three home runs off Mike Mussina and rookie Andrew Lorraine earned his first major-league win in the game at Baltimore.

Mark Bellhorn hit a two-run homer and Jason McDonald and Brent Mayne had solo shots for the A’s, who finished 3-8 against Baltimore this season.

Lorraine (1-0), called up from triple-A Edmonton before the game, gave up six hits and one earned run in five innings.

It was only the 18th win by an A’s starter this season, the first in 19 games since July 23.

Chelsea Clinton watched the game from the third row beside the Oriole dugout.

Toronto 3, Minnesota 2--Jose Cruz Jr. hit a run-scoring single with one out in the ninth inning at Toronto as the Blue Jays handed the Twins their fifth consecutive loss.

It was the Blue Jays’ 12th win in 15 home games.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Juan Gonzalez

Team: Texas

Performance: 3 for 4, 2 homers, 5 RBIs, 3 runs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: B. Higginson

Team: Detroit

Performance: 3 for 5, 2 homers, 4 RBIs

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: John Valentin

Team: Boston

Performance: 4 for 5, homer, double

Team’s Result: Loss

*

Player: Damion Easley

Team: Detroit

Performance: 3 for 4, homer, triple, double

Team’s Result: Win

PITCHING

Player: Orel Hershiser

Team: Cleveland

Performance: 5 2/3 innings, 5 hits, 1 run in return from DL

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Andrew Lorraine

Team: Oakland

Performance: 5 innings, 6 hits, 1 run for rookie’s 1st win

Team’s Result: Win