Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • Page 49

THE HARTFORD COURANT: Sunday, May 30, 1993 D3 Red Sox 15, Rangers 1 Comic relief from Canseco Pitches one ineffective inning; Red Sox win, 15-1 Melendez activated, pitching staff swells By SEAN HORGAN Courant Staff Writer BOSTON The old-timers who paraded their girth around Fenway Park in the undercard Saturday must have wondered what happened to baseball after watching the game between the Red Sox and Texas Rangers. By the end of the sixth inning the teams had combined for six errors, a passed ball and two wild pitches. And Tony Pena, who went into the game with 29 walks in the past 169 games, had walked twice. Get the picture? Well, it wasn't a pretty one. The Rangers walked 11 and the teams finished with 20 hits (14 for the Red Sox) and seven errors to tie the major league high this season.

But aesthetics aside, the Red Sox had to be pleased with their 15-1 victory. It was their highest run total since scoring 17 against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park Sept. 8, 1991, and ran their winning streak to a modest two games. More important, the victory ran their record at Fenway to 15-7, the best home winning percentage (.682) in the American League. It got so bad for the Rangers that DH Jose Canseco came on in the eighth inning to be the second position player to pitch for the Rangers.

Infielder Jeff Kunkel pitched for the Rangers Aug. 31, 1988, against the Twins in a 10-1 loss and against the Twins May 20, 1989, in a 19-3 loss. "I guess I'm not going to make my living as a pitcher," Canseco said. "I left my good stuff in the bullpen." Pitching from the stretch, Canseco walked Ivan Calderon and Bob Zupcic (3-for-4, two RBI) before get- That fluffed Canseco's ERA to 27.00. Canseco threw 33 pitches, 21 for balls.

None of the above particularly wanted to face Canseco. "I didn't want to get up," Vaughn said. "I've been swinging the bat well and it's hard enough to concentrate in a game like that. I might have taken a called third strike at 3-and-2. 1 didn't want to be up there swinging and mess up my stroke." "I'm glad I walked," Calderon said.

On a more rational level, the game also continued the transformation of righthander Danny Darwin. Darwin (5-4, 3.49 ERA) lasted six innings, limiting the Rangers to four hits while striking out eight. After losing his first four starts, Darwin has won five of six. He is 5-0, 1.33 in May and is as hot as any pitcher in the majors. "I just feel like I'm in a groove now and I got some run support," Darwin said.

"It wasn't pretty, but the bottom-line result was we won the ballgame." Much of the support came from Vaughn, who had hits in final two at-bats Friday night and went 4-for-4 Saturday (with two walks, two RBI and three runs). Vaughn has hit .413 in his past 12 games, with three homers and 11 RBI. He also has walked 10 times in his past eight games. Vaughn's excellence at the plate did not transfer to the field, where he made three brutal plays. He dropped a throw from shortstop Valentin on Canseco's grounder in the first, made a two-base error on David Hulse in the third and dropped Ivan TEXAS AB HulM Cf i BDavll If 4 Canseco dh 4 Palmeiro lb 4 Rodriguez 3 Pelralll pit 1 Palmer 3b 3 Strange lb 4 Huton 4 DaKeniorf 4 TetaH It HBIAVS BOSTON AB Fletcher 2b 2 2 Rivera 2b 2 1 Hatcher cf 4 1 MVaughn lb 4 3 Dawson dh 5 1 HBIAVS I 0 .279 1 1 .175 2 2 .331 4 2 .337 1 2 .232 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272 .535 .273 .242 .314 .375 .230 Riles 3b Calderon rf Zupcic If Valentin ss Pena Totals 0 I .211 .212 .254 .221 .171 I 2 3 2 I 0 0 0 14 12 0 I 0 .271 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 1 I 0 TEXAS BOSTON Ml m-l i 3 MS 13X-1S 4 E-BOavis (2), Palmeiro (5), MVaughn 3 (7), Valentin (41.

LOB Texas Boston 10. tB-Rodrlguei 2 (12), Dawson (4), Zupcic (5). 3B-Halcher (1). RBI-Rivera Riles Zupcic 2(4). SF-Hatcher, Dawson.

DP Texas 2. TEXAS Burns 0-2 Nen Bohanon Canseco BOSTON Darwin 5-4 Quantrlll Melendei IP Vh Wi Wi 1 IP i 2 1 ER BB SO NP ERA 4 3 74 4.04 5 4 3 2 65 6.65 1 0 2 0 22 3.81 3 3 3 0 33 27.00 ER BB SO NP ERA 1 0 I I 3.49 0 0 0 0 21 2.04 0 0 0 1 10 0.00 WP Burns, Nen. PB Pena. Umpires-Home, McKean; First, Kaiser; Second, Johnson; Third, Voltagglo. 3:13.

32.017. Rodriguez's foul pop in the fourth just before the catcher doubled. "I didn't play well in the field, so I was glad we scored 15 runs," Vaughn said. He might have gotten caught up in the mood of the day. "It was a crazy day," Hatcher said.

"The ball was flying all over the place." One person who wasn't nearly as happy with the results was manager Kevin Kennedy, whose team has lost five of six and is hitting .203 (73-for-359) in its past 11 games "Hopefully, this was a wake-up call for them as a team," Kennedy said. "You can't be any more embarrassed as a ballclub as were today." SHI Associated Press The line on the pitching debut of Jose Canseco: 1 inning, 2 hits, 2 walks, 3 earned runs. ting John Valentin to fly to right. "I was trying to hit it out," Valentin said. "I wasn't exactly patient." Canseco walked Pena to load the bases and Luis Rivera's infield single scored the 13th Boston run.

"It was a no-win thing," Rivera said. "If I made an out, everybody was going to say, 'He can't even hit Billy Hatcher (2-for-4) drove in the 14th run with a sacrifice fly and Mo Vaughn finished the scoring with an RBI single to center. By SEAN HORGAN Courant Staff Writer BOSTON The Red Sox placed reserve infielder Jeff Richardson on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with lower back pain and activated right-handed reliever Jose Melendez. Melendez, in his first regular season appearance since he was acquired in December in the trade that sent Phil Plan-, tier to the San Diego Padres, pitched a perfect ninth inning in a 15-1 victory over the Texas Rangers. Richardson (.208) originally was headed to the minors, MELENDEZ day night until the Red Sox learned third baseman Scott Cooper (bruised right wrist) was unable to play late-inning defense.

Cooper was available Saturday. "I've had this for a couple of years, but it's been killing me lately," Richardson said. "It's my lowest vertebrae. It's just sort of all bits and pieces. Hopefully, the rest and strengthening program will help it.

If not, my last recourse is surgery." The move means the Red Sox will carry 12 pitchers for at least three days, until Mike Greenwell (strained right rib cage muscle) is eligible to come off the DL Wednesday. "What choice do we have?" general manager Lou Gorman said. "How else can we do it?" 1993 Kitun Corporation belt hold firm to fight GREAT PRICES ON BEMME) tires KELLY NAVIGATOR OOOS At Kmart, value means saving time and money without sacrificing quality. We carry name brand tires from Kelly, Mlchelin" Uniroyal and Firestone. But unlike most tire outlets, we're able to buy our tires for less and pass the savings along to you.

Minor league report Statistic of area minor loaguo players of not through Friday! Player Collogohomotown Po Team CL Org Avg AB 2B 3B HR Bl SB BradAusmus Cheshire ColoSprngs AAA Rockies .248 32 101 14 25 4 2 0 16 3 Darren Bragg Plymouth OF Jacksnville AA Mariners .226 48 159 23 36 10 1 3 14 6 RicoBrogna Watertown 1B Toledo AAA Tigers .301 40 143 15 43 11 0 3 13 3 Ken Coleman Univ. of New Haven 2B Birmingham AA White Sox .310 12 29 3 9 1 0 0 31 Mike Crosby ECSU Kinston A Indians .170 18 47 4 8 2 0 1 4 0 Angel Echevarria Bridgeport OF Central Val A Rockies .250 39 136 12 34 4 1 2 16 4 Brook Fordyce Old Lyme Norfolk AAA Mets .194 37 129 6 25 6 1 0 12 1 Jim Gonzalez East Hartford Quad City A Astros .238 32 101 16 24 8 1 0 10 1 Billy Masse Manchester OF Columbus AAA Yankees .343 42 140 35 48 13 2 7 37 7 MattMerullo Ridgefield Nashville AAA White Sox .351 32 97 22 34 8 0 8 21 0 Bo Ortiz HartfordECSU OF Frederick A Orioles .288 39 133 23 38 6 3 1 19 4 Chris Peterson Southlngton SS Daytona A Cubs .228 46 171 28 39 4 0 0 11 11 Kevin Riggs East Hartford 2B Stockton A Brewers .377 41 146 38 55 4 2 3 20 8 Mark Sobolewski Southington 2B Modesto A Athletics .253 43 178 31 45 7 2 1 24 0 LesWallin DanburyUNH 1B Ft.Laudrdle A Red Sox .286 24 77 13 22 7 0 3 9 0 JimWawruck Glastonbury OF Bowie AA Orioles .323 41 158 21 51 9 1 1 15 10 Mel Wearing West Haven DH Rochester AAA Orioles .222 37 135 17 30 4 2 5 25 2 Pitcher Collegehometown Team CL Org W-L Era GS SV IP BB SO Dave Adam SheltonCCSU Riverside A Mariners 4-2 3.04 9 9 0 53.1 52 17 32 Ricky Bottalico NewingtonCCSU Reading AA Phillies 0-0 1.29 5 0 0 7.0 3 4 5 Mark Czarkowskl NewlngtonUHart Calgary AAA Mariners 1-4 6.68 8 8 0 33.2 53 11 10 SeanFesh Bethel Ashevllle A Astros 3-1 1.71 21 0 7 26.1 17 8 17 RonFrazier Torrington Pr William A Yankees 7-0 2.30 9 9 0 58.2 45 15 69 Jason Fronio GreenwichUConn Kinston A Indians 0-2 2.81 14 2 0 25.2 13 20 26 Scott Gentile BerlinWCSU WstPlmBch A' Expos 2-6 4.61 10 10 0 56.2 57 20 43 MauroGozzo Berlin Norfolk AAA Mets 3-2 3.24 9 9 0 58.1 65 13 29 Sean Johnston Berlin South Bend A White Sox 5-1 1.23 9 9 0 58.2 44 22 36 MarkLaRosa Southington WstPlmBch A Expos 0-0 5.32 16 0 6 22.0 23 10 27 RichLicursi TrumbullSac. Heart Vero Beach A Dodgers 1-0 6.89 8 0 0 15.2 14 13 9 Brian Looney Cheshire WstPlmBch A Expos 2-3 3.83 9 8 0 51.2 55 14 50 Jeff Matulevich ECSU Savannah A Cardinals 1-0 2.08 3 0 0 4.1 2 1 5 Greg McCarthy Shelton Canton-Akrn AA Indians 0-0 1.93 6 0 3 4.2 1 6 7 Kevin Meier Southington Louisville AAA Cardinals 4-3 5.59 9 9 0 48.1 57 14 39 PaulMenhart Groton Syracuse AAA Blue Jays 4-4 3.45 10 10 0 62.2 54 27 44 Kevin Morton Norwalk Memphis AA Royals 2-4 5.19 9 9 0 43.1 56 17 39 Matt Pontbriant Norwich Augusta A Pirates 0-2 3.27 3 3 0 11.0 13 6 12 MikeRaczka SouthingtonUNH Tacoma AAA Athletics 0-0 6.14 18 0 0 14.2 20 11 11 John Shea ColchesterUConn New Britain AA Red Sox 1-0 5.06 19 0 0 32.0 31 10 35 Pete Walker East LymeUConn Binghamton AA Mets 1-5 4.53 8 8 0 43.2 46 21 31 Turk Wendell Quinnlplac Iowa AAA Cubs 4-2 4.76 9 9 0 51.0 50 19 50 Introductory no week only offer! P18575R14 Red Sox notebook They certainly don't need 12 pitchers. The Red Sox lead the American League in pitching and are having a difficult time getting relievers enough work as it is. The Red Sox might have sent right-handed reliever KenkRyan (1-0, 3.60 ERA) to Triple A Pawtucket, though he has pitched well.

Left-handed reliever Tony Fossas (0-0, 2.57), who has pitched seven innings and faces only right-handed hitters, also has an option left, Gorman said. The Red Sox also could have released lefthander Joe Hesketh (3-3, 6.52), but that would have cost about $3 million. The Red Sox have tried to trade Hesketh for the past month, Gorman said. Around the clubhouse The Red Sox reiterated their interest in being involved in the discussions about developing a sports and convention center megaplex in Boston. "This is not to say we are definitely interested in going over to a megaplex," John Harrington, president of JRY which controls two-thirds of the franchise, told the Boston Herald.

"But it would be interesting for them to explore things with us. We all have to be practical and sensible and face the fact there is a real timeline on Fenway Park." The Red Sox Heroes and the Upper Deck Heroes of Baseball played a 2-2 tie in their three-inning game. The Red Sox also honored several players from the Negro League. ay? 97 PISVHORM Whilcwall DOMESTIC RADIAL Computer-designed tread All-season design Look For Values On Many Other Sizes enter Hazard Warranty Available Tire Price Do Not added for dlagnmllc will be reclaimed MILF0RD 878-2581 BBM4497 EE 1 W7 PREMIUM ALL-SEASON STEEL-BELTED RADIAL speed rated for sus Steel tread hydroplaning and jWM A ItnprovedcavHy jJisS'1i 11 Kll hape for carcarn. Jl! vSrljy SfAoTfj II Opilmiird void tained speeds up to 1 1 2 mph tread squirm; pro- Quiet, smooth ride Many other sizes also available at similar savings Pnlyrftlrr-cord body pll Big change for Riggs (.377) fur smooth I 1 I dlKlrtbuHon lW jm ItiL- rated for Well supported shoulders for superior mile age Britsox defeat Indians, out of last place Circumferential grooves resist hydroplaning.

Xs wblk I kf' ride 97 PISVKORH Whilcwall ECONOMY RIB RADIAL Aggressive wetdry traction "Biting Edges" tread design Look For Values On Many. Other Sizes 3XZ Service Available Only In More With Auto Service Mounting. Included No Trade-In Required Road yWEL thru AZ: State (Ir lical Taxe Or Surcharge For Environmental reduce noise ammutm If 97 IV5SR12 IMPORTSSMALL CARS Wetdry traction Resistance to impacts Look For Values On Many Other Sizes Tim 'Limited Trrad Wcaroul Warranty Detail In Store Include Stale nhpooal Fee. If Applicable rvT- And For 1 Protection Will Re An Extra Charge AIR CONDITIONING CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIAL We will align wheels to manufacturer's specs. For By PAUL DOYLE Courant Staff Writer Kevin Riggs was stuck in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

For two seasons, Riggs, of East Hartford, played second base for the Cincinnati Reds' Class A team in the Midwest League. For two seasons, he heard promises of a promotion from farm director Jim Bowden, now the Reds' general manager. Minor leagues The promotion never happened. So this spring Riggs gave up on the Reds. He asked for and was given his release.

Riggs, 24, signed with the Brewers and was assigned to Stockton of the California League, which is considered a higher Class A league than the Midwest League. Instead of thinking about what management has in store for him, Riggs is concentrating on baseball. The results show: Riggs is hitting .377, second in the league, with three home runs and 20 RBI through Friday. "I'm trying not to listen to anything," Riggs said. "I'm just working hard and trying to be consistent.

It was a very difficult decision, but looking back it's worked out." Riggs, a left-handed hitter, was drafted out of East Carolina in 1990. The former East Catholic-Manchester standout spent 1990 with Billings of the short-season Pioneer League and Charleston of the South Atlantic League. Two seasons at Cedar Rapids followed; he hit .268 in 1991, .289 last season. But Riggs grew tired of promises he said the Reds didn't keep. "Bowden says things that maybe he thinks you want to hear," Riggs said.

"But it was getting frustrating. I felt like I was putting up decent numbers, but I wasn't moving." That should change. Riggs, who played in the Arizona Instructional League in the fall, has kept his average above .375 most of the season. He could be promoted to Double A El Paso of the Texas League before the season is over. "Hopefully it's just a matter of time," he said! "'But I'm trying not to many cars, It.

trucks "-iT Ij ans 9-5 in the completion of a game suspended in the fifth inning because of rain Friday night. The Britsox won the seven-inning regularly scheduled game, 3-1. New Britain is 16-28. The Binghamton Mets, who split a double-header with Reading, are 15-29. conform to new minor league guidelines for 1994.

Renovations to Beehive should cost between $2 million and $3 million. "I like New Britain," Buzas said. "I'm confident New Britain will come up with the money. We're just biding time, waiting. I'm not even worried about it.

Deep down, I think we'll be staying." Ravens set prices The New Haven Ravens, who start play next season at Yale Field, announced their ticket prices. Luxury boxes will be $12.50, box seats $7.50, reserved seats $5 and general admission $3 for adults and $2 for children. The luxury boxes are limited to 250-300 seats behind the plate and will be the most expensive seats in the Eastern League. They will be plastic molded seats with tables between every seat and waiterwaitress service. A season ticket in the luxury boxes costs $750 before Dec.

31, $800 next year. Yale Field also will have a picnic pavilion along the right field line that will be available for groups. Fusco Corp. of New Haven was awarded the contract to renovate Yale Field. Fusco, which built the stadium at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, outbid 10 other contractors for the $3.2 million project.

Construction is scheduled to begin in June. Righthander Ron Frazier of Torrington, who had arm problems last year, is off to an excellent start for the Yankees' Class A Prince William team in the Carolina League. Frazier is 7-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 58 innings. He is tied for the league lead in wins and strikeouts. Frazier was limited to 16 games last season at Pance William.

Staff report CANTON, Ohio The New Britain Red Sox moved out of the Eastern League basement Saturday night with two victories over the Canton-Akron Indians at Thur-mon Munson Stadium. The Britsox defeated the Indi expect anything." Much talk about Britsox This past week, it was Worcester. New Britain Red Sox owner Jo Buns heard from a group trying to lure his team to Worcester next season. Buzas listened. But as soon as he hung up, he forgot the name of the person who called.

"I talk to so many people I can't even remember who they are," Buzas said. "I think people look at me and figure I'm 74 years old and I might want to sell the team or that I'm looking to move. They don't realize I feel like a young 39. I'm not selling and I'm not moving." Rumors have been circulating that Buzas may move the team if necessary renovations aren't done to Beehive Field. The Britsox's contract with the city expires at the end of the year.

There was talk that a stadium would be built off Route 15 in Stur-bridge, and Buzas would move his team. Buzas denied it. A report in the Worcester Telegram Gazette said a group led by Worcester lawyer Samuel R. DeSi-mone wants to build a park and bring the Britsox to Worcester. Buzas, who is in Portland, with his Triple A franchise, is laughing at the attention.

"I can really start rumors," he said. "People don't understand that I always hear from people. You always talk to people, but it doesn't mean anything." Buzas said he plans to renew his lease in New Britain but is waiting until plans for renovation are final-izerjBeehive will need new locker-rooti'a facilities and more box seats to -le jmKl ai AIR CONDITIONING SPECIAL for most cars and light trucks. System inspection Performance test Pressure and leak test Adjust drive belts Check and tighten hoses Complete system service and repair available if required 2-wheeI Alignment 2-wheeI Alignn 2997' I (Ha Sale Thrust Angle Alignment 39,7. 4-wheel Alignment Call us for an appointment fits into your schedule.

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