Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, April 1. 1998
Opening Day Royals defeat Orioles in opener
The Associated Press
So much for an encore.
Tim Belcher, starting in place of the injured Kevin Appier, allowed
BALTIMORE — A year ago, the Baltimore Orioles beat the Kansas City Royals on opening day and remained in first place for the rest of the season.
three hits in seven scoreless innings yesterday as the Royals opened the season by defeating Mike Mussina and the Orioles 4-1.
Few people expect the Royals to parlay the victory into their first playoff berth since
Balcher: Started for Kevin Appier in Royals' opener.
1985, but the young team genuinely was excited about getting off to a good start — especially against a star-studded club that plans to make a third-consecutive trip to the postseason.
"This sets the tone, t>get out of the gate on a positive note," said
Royals closer Jeff Montgomery,
who pitched a perfect ninth inning.
Rookie Larry Sutton drove in three runs, and Jeff King went 2-for-2 and scored twice before leaving in the fourth inning with a sore back. It was the fifth-straight time the Royals opened against Baltimore, and the second time they won.
"Today, we played good baseball, and we won," said Tony Muser, Kansas City manager. "We have 161 to play. But even if we lost today, I thought we played well. That's been my intent all along — not to be intimidated by an opponent."
Belcher did not appear apprehensive about facing the Orioles. After compiling an 11.66 ERA in spring training, the right-hander faced only one bater more than the minimum and did not permit a runner past first base.
"Yes, it is important," Belcher said. "You get that good adrenaline and emotional lift from a win like this. Particularly when you're on the road in this park against that club. I mean, they've been pretty good for a couple of years."
Baltimore lost despite getting 11 strikeouts in eight innings by
Mussina, who allowed three runs and six hits. Ray Miller, who debuted as Orioles manager, could not do much except watch Belcher mow down one batter after another.
"He did what a veteran pitcher has to do. He came right at you," Miller said. "I thought Mussina did a good job, too. I'll take that kind of pitching from him all year."
After Belcher left, consecutive two-out doubles by Joe Carter and Chris Hoiles against Jose Rosado got Baltimore to 3-1 in the eighth. Scott Service struck out pinch-hitter Harold Baines to end the lone Orioles threat.
"The worst thing about today is that people were waiting for something to cheer about, and we couldn't do anything about it," Miller said. "Offensively, we just didn't get the job done."
The previous two openers at Camden Yards were postponed because
of bad weather, but the game-time temperature was a summer-like 91 degrees. Belcher, putting a chill on the crowd of 46,820, allowed only three runners and struck out six.
Appier, who had started every opener for Kansas City since 1991, was scratched this year after shoulder surgery.
Mussina pitched well this time but experienced the same problem he encountered in last year's AL championship series — no offensive support.
"They got some runs off me, and Belcher pitched a great game. You've got to give him credit," Mussina said. "They got the hits when they needed them and scored runs, and we got little going the whole day."
Kansas City went ahead in the second when King singled, took third on Terry Pendleton's double and scored on Dean Palmer's groundout.
Notes: Kansas City was 0-5 in road openers since 1983. ... Carter batted seventh for Baltimore, the first time he has batted lower than cleanup since 1990. The last time he hit sixth was with Cleveland in 1986.
Reds trade pitcher day before opener
The Associated Press
CINCINNATI — Dave Burba walked into the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse yesterday morning with a bag of golf clubs slung over his shoulder, a cup of coffee in his hand and a look of disbelief on his face.
All spring, he had looked forward to this day and the chance to make his first opening-day start in front of 30 relatives and friends. Instead, the Reds traded him to the Cleveland Indians late Monday afternoon for minor leaguer Sean Casey.
"I'd like to thank (general manager Jim Bowden) for trading me to a team that has a chance to go to the World Series," Burba said. "I'm looking forward to it. I may not sound like it right now. I'm still dumbfounded about being traded on the eve of opening day."
He was not alone. Burba's teammates were adjusting to the idea of trading a proven starting pitcher for a highly resarded prospect.
Barry Larkin said, "It's a shocker
as far as the timing."
The trade sent a clear message that the Reds do
not expect to contend in the NL Central for a few years. Instead, they are slashing payroll and concentrating on developing young players.
The Indians made the move to stay in position for a postseason run. With two pitchers on the disabled list, they needed another starter.
The trade started a whirlwind evening for Bura, who had to go to the airport to pick up his wife right after learning he had been traded.
"I'm going to a good team," he said.
"Hopefully, I can go to the World Series now. I'll trade that for an opening day start."
Casey, 23, was the Indians' minor league player of the year in 1997 and has a .348 career average. Casey arrived in the clubhouse about an hour after Burba left, took batting practice and tactfully accepted the praise.
Marlins hook Cubs in win
The Associated Press
MIAMI — For at least one game, these Florida Martins looked like those World Series champions of last year.
It was a familiar start for the Cubs, who set a National League record by losing their first 14 games in 1997 en route to a last-place finish. Several offseason moves have Cubs fans hoping for their first pennant since 1945, but Kevin Tapani cooled any early
fan fever by allowing nine runs.
With a revamped roster that includes 14 rookies, the Marlins scored six runs in the first inning and opened the season by beating the Chicago Cubs 11-6 yesterday.
The game gave the sellout crowd of 41,126 its money's worth — they even got to boo Marlins owner Wayne Huizenga, who ordered the team dismantled last winter.
Otherwise, the crowd had only applause for the home team. The cheering began when the championship flag was raised in center field and a championship banner was unveiled down the left-field foul line.
Left fielder Cliff Floyd, taking the place of the departed Moses Alou, led off the first inning with a double. World Series hero Edgar Renteria walked, and 26-year-old Ryan Jackson single home a run in his
first major-league at-bat.
Sheffield fouled three 3-2 pitches, then launched a drive into the upper deck just inside the left-field pole.
Rookie Mark Kotsy singled and continued to third when the ball eluded right fielder Sammy Sosa for an error. Craig Counsell tripled and scored the final run of the inning on rookie Josh Booty's groundout.
Cubs newcomer Henry Rodriguez, acquired in a trade from Montreal. hit a three-run homer in the first inning. Another offseason acquisition, Jeff Blauer, singled home a run in the third inning, then scored on Kevin Orie's double to trim Florida's lead to 6-5.
Atlanta cans Brewers in debut
The Associated Press
ATLANTA — For eight innings, the Milwaukee Brewers looked like a team that always had played in the National League. In the ninth, they looked like NJ. rookies.
Gerald Williams trapped home from third after catcher Mike Matheny's attempted pickoff throw skipped into left field in the ninth inning, giving the Atlanta Braves a 2-1 victory in their season opener yesterday.
The Brewers became the first major
It was the Brewers' first NL game after 28 years in the American League.
"This is our style of baseball," said Chipper Jones, Atlanta third baseman. "We pitch, play defense and hopefully get some timely hits."
In the top of the
ninth, Kerry Ligtenberg walked the bases loaded with two outs, and Jeff Cirl strayed from first and was picked off by a throw from catcher Javy Lopez.
Williams walked with one out in the bottom of the ninth and took third when pinch-hitter Keith Lockhart singled. Bob Wickman struck out Andruw Jones, but Matheny threw to third when Lockhart for second on the pitch.
The throw bounced past Cirillo into left, and Williams came home with the deciding run.
"To fight like we did, then lose like
that ... it’s frustrating," said Phil Garner, kingeeper manager.
The Brewers still are new in the National League. And most of the day, they looked like they would fit right in.
Cal Eldred, making his second opening-day start, pitched six strong innings for the Brewers and even picked up the first hit for a Milwaukee pitcher since 1993, singling in the fifth.
Greg Maddux had three walks in seven innings — an astonishing total for a pitcher who walked only 20 last season.
"I've had better games, but I had some breaks," said Maddux, the Cy Young runner-up a year ago. "I'm not afraid to walk guys. I'm going to walk some guys this year. I think you have to."
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