Mariners Lose on Piniella’s Watch

Watching Tampa Bay’s five-run third inning live was tough enough for Lou Piniella. When a replay began on the Tropicana Field scoreboard, the Seattle manager lost it.

Piniella stormed out of the dugout after the Mariners batted in the eighth inning Tuesday night, pointing at a video screen and taking another opportunity to object to the way home plate umpire John Shulock called balls and strikes during Tampa Bay’s 5-1 victory at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Shulock responded by ejecting Piniella, who didn’t leave quietly.

Piniella and Shulock also exchanged words in the third after Ben Grieve walked on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded. John Flaherty followed with his second career grand slam for a 5-0 Tampa Bay lead.

Once he was tossed, Piniella covered home plate with dirt. Shulock refused to sweep the plate, instead waiting until catcher Dan Wilson cleaned it--first with his feet and then with Shulock’s brush.

“I’ve never heard of an umpire telling a catcher to clean off home plate--never in my life. That’s a first,” Piniella said.

Ryan Rupe pitched his first career complete game for the Devil Rays, who won two of three games against the defending AL West champions at Safeco Field last week.

Boston 6, Toronto 4--Blue Jay closer Kelvim Escobar (1-2) walked Jason Varitek and Trot Nixon with the bases loaded in the ninth inning as the Red Sox won at Toronto.

New York 4, Chicago 2--Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams sparked an eighth-inning rally with RBI singles, and Rondell White doubled in the go-ahead runs as the Yankees won at Chicago.

Oakland 5, Baltimore 2--Mark Mulder won for the first time since April 6, giving up one earned run in six innings as the Athletics won at Baltimore.

Cleveland 4, Detroit 2--Chuck Finley struck out 11, including a club record-tying six in a row, and Travis Fryman drove in three runs to lead the Indians at Cleveland.

Minnesota 11, Texas 4--Jacque Jones hit a grand slam and tied a career high with five RBIs at Arlington, Texas, as the Twins handed the Rangers their fifth consecutive loss.