Wednesday, April 1, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
4
Section B · Page 5
Opening Day inal slugs out victory
McGwire's grand slam leads team to 6-0 win
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS—One down 60 to go.
ST. LOUIS - One down, 60 to go.
Mark McGraw began the chase for Roger Maris' record with a dramatic grand slam yesterday, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0.
"Opening day, bases loaded, the star, the modern-day Babe Ruth, comes up and hits a grand slam," teammate Gary Gaetti said.
A sellout crowd of 47,972 screamed in anticipation when Delino DeShields walked on a full count to load the bases with two outs in the fifth inning and McGwire on deck.
McGwire did not disappoint the fans, hitting a towering drive that cleared the left field wall and broke open a scoreless game
"It's an awesome feeling." McGwire said.
"How can you not get chills?"
McGwire, who hit 58 home runs last season and fell three short of Maris' record, became the first Cardinals player to hit a grand slam on opening day. The shot spoiled Rupert Murdoch's first game as
Dodgers owner.
McGwire hit seven home runs in spring training, then showed he was ready for the real games. Five of his home runs last season went 500 feet or
farther, but his 10th career grand slam traveled a mere 364 feet.
Dodgers left-fielder Todd Hollandsworth appeared to be drawing a bead on the ball, drifting back slowly toward the wall.
"I guarantee if you ask him, he'll say he mishit it." Hollandsworth said. "I thought that ball was going to stay in the yard, but this guy has got power that I can't relate to."
On the way back to the dugout, McGwire traded vicious forearm smashes with teammates. Moments later, cheers from a sellout crowd at Busch Stadium brought him out for a curtain call.
McGwire also proved he was human, striking out twice. He took a called third strike with nobody on for the last out in the first inning. In the seventh inning, he fanned with runners on first and second on
a checked swing against Frank Lankford. Gaetti and pinch-hitter Willie McGee added RBI singles in the eighth inning.
Todd Stottlemyre, making his 300th career appearance and third opening-day start, did not allow a Dodger runner until Mike Piazza singled with two outs in the fourth inning. Rookie Paul Konerko singled with one out in the fifth inning and singled again with two out in the seventh inning.
Cardinals reliever Braden Looper made his major-league debut in the ninth inning and struck out the side.
Ramon Martinez, making his fifth opening-day start, ran into trouble in the fifth inning when Gaetti led off with a double. Tom Lampkin singled before DeShields' walk loaded the bases.
Notes:
Before the game, there was a moment of silence for the late Harry Caray, who broadcast Cardinals games for 25 years from 1944-69.
The Cardinals and Dodgers had not faced each other in the opener since 1984, when Dave LaPoint opposed Fernando Valenzuela in an 11-7 Louis victory.
Ray Lankford stole his 200th career base in the 19th inning.
White Sox overpower Rangers with 9-2 win
The Associated Press
ARLINGTON, Texas — Optimistic as he may be, Jerry Manuel could not have expected his debut as Chicago White Sox manager to go this well.
the heart of his lineup — Frank Thomas, Albert Belle and Robin Ventura — each drove in two runs. Outfielder Mike Cameron and rookie shortstop Mike Caruso made run-saving defensive plays. And starting pitcher Jaime Navarro finally looked worthy of his big contract.
The result was a 9-2 victory against the Texas Rangers in yesterday's season opener.
"I'm satisfied," said Manuel, who replaced Terry Bevington following a 80-81 record last season.
Manuel said he was nervous when the game began, probably even more so after Chicago's first 12 battles went down in order against John Burkett, bringing
dreams of a perfect game to a crowd of 45.909.
Belle got Chicago's first hit just over the glove of first baseman Will Clark. Three
Then, in the fifth, the heart of Manuel's lineup came through.
pitches later, Ventura hit a high drive above the center-field fence.
"He went 2-0 on me, and I just hit it," Ventura said. "I wasn't trying to do anything with it."
Cameron hit a two-run single with two outs, Thomas followed with an RBI double and then Belle drove in two runs with his second single, knocking out Burkett.
Thomas' second RBI came in the seventh on another double. Chicago scored again in the ninth inning to go up 9-0 as Charlie O'Brien singled home Magglio Ordonez.
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