The Associated Press

Finley (4-4), the winningest pitcher in Angels history, left as a free agent last December.

Thursday, June 01, 2000

Finley (4-4), the winningest pitcher in Angels history, left as a free agent last December. He allowed three runs – two earned – and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings to win for the first time in six starts since April 29.

”It was more interesting looking over at their dugout the last few days than it was pitching against them,” Finley said.

Russell Branyon homered twice in his first game this season, and Roberto Alomar, David Justice and Travis Fryman connected for the Indians.

Seth Etherton (0-1), making his second career start, gave up just four hits in five-plus innings. Steve Karsay got five outs for his 10th save.

”It was weird,” Anaheim’s Tim Salmon said. ”I felt like I had a pretty good scouting report after playing behind him all those years. It was a typical Finley game – he teases you and then shuts you down.”

Devil Rays 4, Orioles 3

Tampa Bay finished off visiting Baltimore, not once, but twice.

B.J. Surhoff’s grounder off Roberto Hernandez’s glove went to shortstop Felix Martinez, who threw the ball to first for the final out.

After an argument, third-base ump John Shulock overruled first-base ump Brian Runge, saying Fred McGriff’s foot came off first base. The game resumed after a nine-minute delay, and after Charles Johnson singled, Hernandez struck out Brady Anderson with the tying run on third.

”Yeah, get the call right. But do it right away and don’t let us get off the field,” Devil Rays manager Larry Rothschild said. ”I’ve never seen it before. Never ever seen it anywhere. Little League, American Legion, girls softball, anywhere.”

McGriff hit his 399th career homer, a two-run shot off Buddy Groom (3-3) in the eighth.

Blue Jays 4, Twins 2

David Wells (9-2) struck out nine in eight-plus innings, improving his career record to 150-101 and ending visiting Minnesota’s four-game winning streak. He became the AL’s first nine-game winner.

Billy Koch got his 11th save.

Brad Radke (3-6) pitched a six-hitter in his second complete game, allowing two-run homers to Carlos Delgado, his 18th, and Chris Woodward, the first of his career.

White Sox 4, Mariners 3

Herbert Perry hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth off Kazuhiro Sazaki (1-4) after Carlos Lee reached when third baseman John Mabry allowed the ball under his glove for a two-base error.

Rangers 13, Tigers 5

Rafael Palmeiro homered and drove in four runs, and Rusty Greer also had four RBIs as Texas pounded five pitchers for 16 hits, seven for extra bases, at Detroit.

The Rangers were 18-10 in May, tying the team record for wins in the month, set in 1991 and matched in 1996.

Former Rangers star Juan Gonzalez missed the entire three-game series with a strained left foot.

Athletics 8, Yankees 7

Matt Stairs hit a three-run homer in the first as Oakland pounded David Cone (1-5) for seven runs – six earned – six hits and four walks in 3 1-3 innings at Yankee Stadium.

Gil Heredia (7-3) struggled after Oakland gave him a 4-0 lead, but three relievers held off the Yankees, who had the tying run in scoring position in two of the last three innings. Jason Isringhausen got five outs for his 11th save.

Chuck Knoblauch and Ricky Ledee hit three-run homers.

<B>Royals 9, Red Sox 7<B>

Mike Sweeney had four hits and Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye three apiece at Fenway Park.

Mac Suzuki (2-0) scattered seven hits and four walks in seven innings, striking out seven and allowing two runs. Pete Schourek (2-5) gave up six runs on six hits in 4 1-3 innings.

Jerry Spradlin got four outs for his fifth save after Boston, which trailed 9-2, scored five runs off Ricky Bottalico in the eighth.