Justice Still Tormenting Left-Handers

L.A. Times Archives

July 23, 1997 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

David Justice broke a tie with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, his 19th of the year and ninth off a left-hander, as the Indians beat the Mariners, 6-2, Tuesday night at Cleveland.

Orel Hershiser held Seattle hitless for 4 2/3 innings before giving up consecutive homers to Russ Davis and Jose Cruz Jr. and leaving the game after five innings because of a strained right groin.

Justice, a left-hander batting .365 against lefties this season, hit a 2-and-0 pitch from Jeff Fassero deep into the visiting bullpen in right to break a 2-2 tie. It was Cleveland’s first homer in 47 innings, dating to the second inning of a game in Milwaukee on Thursday.

Marquis Grissom saved two runs when he leaped against the wall in left-center to rob Jay Buhner of a double with two out and two on in the eighth.

Ken Griffey Jr. was still angered about the exhibition game the Mariners had to play in North Carolina the previous night against the Southern League all-stars--a detour that came on an off-day before the club’s longest trip of the season.

“That’s the . . . Mariner way,” said Griffey, whose homerless slump reached a season-high 12 games. “It’s the same stuff every year. Instead of becoming a first-class organization, which we could be, we’re stuck in the . . . ‘70s seeing how many things we can do for other people.”

Toronto 5, Milwaukee 2--Shawn Green highlighted a four-run seventh inning with a three-run homer and Pat Hentgen and two relievers combined on a five-hitter at Toronto.

Matt Mieske’s solo homer, his third, in the top of the seventh off Hentgen gave Milwaukee a 2-1 edge, but the Blue Jays answered with four runs in their half of the inning. Carlos Delgado led off with a walk against starter Cal Eldred (9-10) and moved to second on Ed Sprague’s single. Mike Fetters relieved and Green sent a 3-and-2 pitch over the left-field fence for his 12th home run and a 4-2 lead.

Charlie O’Brien was hit by a pitch, took second on Carlos Garcia’s sacrifice, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a single to left by Otis Nixon.

“The home runs were all we got, he’s [Hentgen] a good pitcher--period,” Brewer Manager Phil Garner said. “He was a Cy Young pitcher last year. But everyone looks like Cy Young against our offense.”

Green is batting .412 (21 for 51) with five homers and 12 RBI in his last 12 games.

“It felt good because it came at a crucial time with Pat Hentgen throwing such a great game,” Green said.

Minnesota 3, Kansas City 2--Darrin Jackson beat out a potential inning-ending, double-play grounder in the seventh to drive in the deciding run at Minneapolis and the Twins won their fifth consecutive game.

With runners at the corners and one out, Jackson hit a hard shot to the right of second base. Jose Offerman made a diving stop and flipped to shortstop Jay Bell for the force at second. But Jackson narrowly beat Bell’s throw to first, allowing Marty Cordova to score.

Minnesota, on its longest winning streak this season, has won seven of eight. Kansas City has lost 18 of 20 overall and nine of its last 10 one-run games.

Detroit 6, Chicago 3--Tony Clark hit his 24th homer and Bobby Higginson added his 16th as the Tigers took a five-run lead and held on at Detroit.

Rookie Brian Moehler (7-8) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings, walking a season-high five. Todd Jones pitched the ninth for his 17th save, matching his career high.

“They had runners the whole game,” Tiger Manager Buddy Bell said in praise of his bullpen. “[Mike] Myers came in and did a great job. [Doug] Brocail got himself in some trouble, but he got out of it. Jones came in and did a great job, with the help of a few pretty good plays. I think it’s safe to say last year we wouldn’t have won this game.”

Danny Darwin (4-8) gave up five runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings. Chuck McElroy followed and struck out a career-high six in 3 1/3 shutout innings, allowing two hits.

Baltimore 9, Texas 3--Rafael Palmeiro pounded Ranger pitching again with a two-run homer and three RBIs, and Jeffrey Hammonds went four for five at Arlington, Texas.

Brady Anderson added three hits, including a three-run double in the sixth inning in his first career start in the No. 4 spot in the order. Geronimo Berroa also had three hits as Baltimore battered Texas pitching for 16 hits.

Scott Erickson (12-5) gave up nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: David Justice

Team: Cleveland

Performance: 1 for 4, 2-run homer

Team’s Result: Win

Player: Jeff Frye

Team: Boston

Performance: 3 for 4, 2 RBI, game-winning hit

Team’s Result: Win