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Sunday, August 17, 1997

Rangers 8, Yankees 5, 10 innings

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) - John Wetteland was about to make his first trip to the plate in three years, and he had nothing to bring with him.

"I was scrambling to find a bat and a helmet," the Texas closer said.

Wetteland, using Billy Ripken's bat and a helmet worn by former Ranger Dean Palmer, hit an RBI double in the 10th inning Saturday and picked up a win against his former team as Texas beat the New York Yankees 8-5.

Wetteland, who saved all four of New York's World Series wins last year to be named MVP, doubled off Ramiro Mendoza (4-5) after pinch-hitter Domingo Cedeno's RBI single had given the Rangers a 6-5 lead.

"I just grabbed anything with tape on it," Wetteland said. "I don't like pine tar on my hands. You end up throwing 30-foot curveballs."

Wetteland (7-2) was batting for the first time since June 14, 1994, when he singled for the Montreal Expos against Pittsburgh.

The reliever, who signed with Texas as a free agent last December, and was making his first mound appearance in Yankee Stadium since last October, has two wins and a save in four appearances against New York this season.

Texas juggled its lineup in the eighth, moving designated hitter Ivan Rodriguez to catcher. The Rangers lost their DH in the switch, forcing the pitcher to bat. Wetteland was a 6-for-41 (.146) career hitter in the NL.

Rangers manager Johnny Oates was jokingly asked if he'd use Wetteland to hit again.

"Only when necessary," Oates said. "I'll tell you what, his bat can go up there anytime as long as he's not carrying it."

Benji Gil added an RBI single in the 10th and Juan Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with three RBIs for Texas.

Third baseman Charlie Hayes had three errors for the Yankees. Joe Girardi tripled and doubled as New York had its winning streak ended at three.

Wetteland, who didn't pitch against the Yankees on Texas' last trip to New York, seemed to be in a sour mood afterward despite the win and base hit.

"John didn't want to leave New York," said Texas catcher Jim Leyritz, another World Series hero for the Yankees last fall, "but they didn't make him an offer to come back. I understand his state of mind. You want to beat them, but obviously you have mixed emotions."

Wetteland said he didn't have time to reminisce about the past when he took the mound for the ninth inning. The last time he was there, he was mobbed by the Yankees after he got the final out against the Atlanta Braves.

"I allowed myself about five seconds to take a look around," he said.

Darryl Strawberry, reinstated from the disabled list on Friday after being sidelined since April with a knee injury, pinch-hit in the eighth for New York and drew a two-out walk.

Held to four hits through seven innings, the Yankees tied it 5-5 in the eighth on Chad Curtis' two-out homer off Danny Patterson.

Lee Stevens had given the Rangers a 5-4 lead in the top of the inning with his 13th homer.

Hayes' third error helped Texas take a 4-3 lead in the seventh on Gonzalez's sacrifice fly.

Hayes was charged with a two-base error when he couldn't come up with Gil's leadoff smash against New York starter Andy Pettitte. Gil moved up on a single and scored on Gonzalez's fly to right.

"It was one of those days," New York manager Joe Torre said of Hayes' troubles, "when you can't hide. The ball finds you."

New York tied it in the bottom of the inning on Tino Martinez's sacrifice fly, the first baseman's major league-leading 115th RBI.

Staked to a 3-0 lead after three, Texas starter Darren Oliver carried a one-hitter into the fifth when he walked the first two batters. He gave up a one-out RBI single to Derek Jeter, but got Tim Raines to pop up and retired Williams on a hard liner to left.

Consecutive walks to Martinez and Mike Stanley to open the sixth ended Oliver's day. Matt Whiteside struck out the first two batters he faced before Girardi gapped a triple to right-center, the catcher's first triple since Game 6 of last year's World Series.

Stanley made his first start for New York since coming over in a trade with Boston on Wednesday. He went 0-for-4 with a walk as the designated hitter.

Pettitte's leadoff walk to No. 9 hitter Gil set up Texas' three-run third. Notes: Texas pitchers, who got to hit in interleague play, are batting .385 (5-for-13) in 1997. ... During the game, the Yankees announced the acquisition of middle infielder Rey Sanchez from the Chicago Cubs for minor-league pitcher Frisco Parotte. ... Elvis Presley hits were played between innings to honor the 20th anniversary of the King's death. ... Chad Curtis made his first start in right for the Yankees. ... Rodriguez, who leads the majors with 108 starts as a catcher, made his second start at DH. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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