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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Chuck McElroy's first win of the season may
be his last as a starter, at least for a while.
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| McElroy |
"I don't know what's going to happen," the longtime reliever
said after helping the Baltimore Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins
5-2 Saturday night.
"I'll do whatever they want me to do," McElroy said. "I'm a
bilingual pitcher – I can start or relieve."
Slumping Brook Fordyce hit a two-run homer and drove in three
runs to back McElroy.
McElroy, who made 603 career relief appearances before making
his first start for the Orioles last September, has been
Baltimore's fifth starter this year. But with Sidney Ponson due
back from the disabled list soon and rookie Willis Roberts 3-0,
McElroy could be headed back to the bullpen.
"I just can't say right now what's going to happen," Orioles
manager Mike Hargrove said. "I don't know. Mac did a good job for
us tonight. He threw strikes and stayed ahead of the batters."
McElroy (1-1) gave up a solo homer to Tom Prince in the third,
then retired 10 of 12 batters before Corey Koskie singled with one
out in the sixth.
One out later, Chad Paronto relieved. He had to throw only one
pitch and watch as Koskie was thrown out trying to steal second.
McElroy gave up three hits in 5 2-3 innings in the longest of
his four starts this year.
"I think he got us to chase some pitches," Twins manager Tom
Kelly said. "He got us out of the strike zone."
Mike Trombley pitched two innings for his first save since last
Aug. 26 against Tampa Bay, allowing a run in the ninth on Doug
Mientkiewicz's second double of the game.
While McElroy and a trio of relievers held the Twins to eight
hits, slumping Fordyce provided much of the offense with a two-run
homer and run-scoring double.
Fordyce was in a 1-for-28 slump before connecting off Mark
Redman (1-3) in the fifth after Melvin Mora singled. Fordyce
doubled in a run in the ninth off reliever Eddie Guardado, who also
gave up a two-run double to Delino DeShields.
"Obviously it was nice to contribute something for once," said
Fordyce, who had not played in the previous two games. "Hopefully,
this will carry over into the next game. It's just a stepping
stone."
Minnesota, the AL Central leader, had won 12 of its previous 15.
At 16-6, the Twins are off to their best start since 1972.
Torii Hunter threw out Brady Anderson at the plate in the top of
the seventh after Mike Bordick's single to center.
Mora threw out Hunter at the plate from center field in the
bottom half of the seventh for an inning-ending double play after a
flyout by Prince.
Redman, who gave up eight hits but only two runs in seven
innings, won 12 games last season as a rookie. He has allowed 26
hits in his last 15 2-3 innings.
"Redman pitched much better than he had been pitching," Kelly
said. "He gave us a great chance to win."
"I wanted to get back on track and to where I know I'm capable
of pitching," said Redman, who lasted just 1 2-3 innings in his
previous start, against the Red Sox.
Game notes
Cal Ripken went 1-for-4, raising his average to .188. ...
The attendance of 30,479 for the Twins' 11th home game was their
largest since opening night (46,101). ... Baltimore placed 1B David
Segui on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 23. Segui
strained a tendon on the middle finger of his left hand last Sunday
against Tampa Bay. ... RHP Josh Towers was recalled from Rochester.
... Anderson halted an 0-for-15 streak with a first-inning double.
He singled in the fifth and walked in the seventh. ... Twins SS
Cristian Guzman, who dislocated the left ring finger of his left
hand six days earlier, was back in the starting lineup on Saturday,
batting in his usual leadoff spot and went 1-for-4. ... Doug
Mientkiewicz extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a double
in the seventh. ... Prince's home run tied his career high for most
in a season – three (with Los Angeles in 1997).
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RECAPS
Kansas City 8
Boston 2
Tampa Bay 7
Detroit 3
NY Yankees 7
Oakland 6
Anaheim 4
Toronto 1
Seattle 8
Chi. White Sox 5
Cleveland 7
Texas 3
Baltimore 5
Minnesota 2
Milwaukee 8
Montreal 4
NY Mets 6
St. Louis 5
Houston 6
Florida 4
Cincinnati 9
Colorado 4
San Francisco 5
Chicago Cubs 0
Atlanta 3
Arizona 1
San Diego 8
Pittsburgh 1
Los Angeles 7
Philadelphia 6
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