Garciaparra Homer Wipes Out Error

Nomar Garciaparra’s error cost his team a run, but the Boston shortstop made amends.

He extended his hitting streak to 29 games with a single on the game’s first pitch, then homered in the fifth inning, leading the Red Sox over the Mariners, 9-5, on Wednesday at Seattle.

Garciaparra’s error in the third inning helped Seattle take a 3-1 lead.

“I don’t like messing up,” Garciaparra said. “I was upset. It was nice to make up for it.”

Garciaparra had three hits, including his 25th home run. His two-run homer highlighted a four-run fifth that put the Red Sox ahead for good at 5-3.

Garciaparra moved closer to the longest hitting streak by a rookie, set by Benito Santiago in 34 games in 1987. The longest hitting streak in Red Sox history is 34 games by Dom DiMaggio in 1949.

Edgar Martinez, Alex Rodriguez and Paul Sorrento each homered for the Mariners.

Bret Saberhagen, making his second start of the year after missing all of 1996 because of shoulder trouble, pitched four innings for Boston. He gave up five hits and three runs, two of them earned. The Red Sox limited him to 85 pitches.

Baltimore 7, Kansas City 3--Rafael Palmeiro went to the plate with one thought in mind--hit the first pitch.

It didn’t matter that the previous batter walked to load the bases, because Palmeiro had a feeling that he was going to see a fastball in the strike zone.

That’s exactly what happened. Palmeiro’s second home run of the game, his fourth career grand slam, carried the Orioles past the visiting Royals.

The victory enabled the Orioles to avoid their first two-game losing streak since mid-July. Baltimore has won six of seven and 10 of 12.

Roberto Alomar, still bothered by a groin pull that put him on the disabled list for nearly four weeks, started the game on the Orioles’ bench.

Toronto 13, Chicago 2--Joe Carter hit his 202nd home run with the Blue Jays, tying George Bell’s club record and reaching 20 for the 12th consecutive season.

Carter, who drove in four runs in the game at Toronto, tied Norm Cash for 35th place on the career list. The drive off Doug Drabek (10-9) put the Blue Jays ahead, 9-0.

Carlos Delgado homered twice and drove in four runs for the Blue Jays.

Pat Hentgen (14-8) pitched a six-hitter for his league-leading ninth complete game. He was perfect until Albert Belle’s leadoff single in the fifth.

Minnesota 2, Detroit 0--Bob Tewksbury pitched a five-hitter for his 100th career victory, winning for the first time since June 20 as the Twins beat the Tigers at Minneapolis.

Tewksbury (5-10), who returned from the disabled list Aug. 17 after recovering from a strained right shoulder, struck out five and walked one in his fourth complete game this season and second shutout, the seventh shutout of his career. He had been 0-5 with a 7.44 earned-run average in his previous six starts.

Ron Coomer went three for four with a run scored, and Rich Becker added an RBI double as Minnesota stretched a winning streak to two for the first time since July 29-30. Before Tuesday, the Twins had lost 14 of 15.

Chuck Knoblauch’s hitting streak ended at 18 games.

Texas 7, Milwaukee 1--Rusty Greer hit a solo homer and Tom Goodwin a two-run double as the Rangers won at Milwaukee to stop a three-game losing streak.

The Brewers had won four in a row.

Darren Oliver (11-10) won his fifth consecutive decision, giving up one run and six hits in seven innings.

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance N. Garciaparra Boston 3 for 6, 29-game hitting streak Rafael Palmeiro Baltimore 2 for 4, RBIs, grand slam Joe Carter Toronto 2 for 3, 4 RBIs

Player Team’s Result N. Garciaparra Win Rafael Palmeiro Win Joe Carter Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Pat Hentgen Toronto 9 innings, 5 hits Win Bob Tewksbury Minnesota 9 innings, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts Win Scott Erickson Baltimore 7 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 7 strikeouts Win

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