Victoria Advocate from Victoria, Texas • 13

THE VICTORIA ADVOCATE, Saturday, March 2S, 1989-3B Bonilla's Homer Sinks Astros I 3 7iv fY 1 V. if mm, Brewers (ss) 7, Mariners (ss) Jim Adduci's bases-loaded single in the 10th inning gave Milwaukee the victory in a game featuring a bench-clearing fight. Gus Polidor led off the 10th with a double. Seattle reliever Mike Schooler then hit Rob Deer and Glen Braggs with pitches to load the bases. Braggs started to go to the mound and was intercepted by Seattle catcher Bill McGuire.

The two began to fight and both benches emptied. After several minutes, Braggs and McGuire were ejected. Adduci then singled to right to score Polidor with the winning run. Angels 8, Cubs 4 Tony Armas drove in three runs to lead California. Armas' run-scoring single in the fifth inning broke a 2-2 tie, and his two-run single in the eighth capped a four -run rally.

The Angels took a 1-0 lead on Wally Joyner's first-inning sacrifice fly and made it 2-0 in the second when Jack Howell singled and scored on Brian Brady's double. Braves 3, Yankees 2 Tommy Gregg singled home Dion James with the winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning. James had reached on a two-out double off loser Hipolito Pena, 0-2. The Yankees took a 2-0 lead off starter John Smoltz, scoring in the second when Bernie Williams tripled and came home on Alvaro Espinoza's sacrifice fly and in the third when Steve Sax singled, stole second and was driven in by Don Mattingly's single. Red Sox 9, Reds 2 Marty Barrett's three-run double highlighted a seven-run fifth inning that carried the Boston Red Sox to a victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

All seven runs in the inning were charged to Scott Scudder, 1-1, who gave up a total of 11 hits, five walks and nine runs in 4 innings. Scudder, who has never played in the majors, is considered a candidate for the Reds' fifth-starter spot that will open up during the season. Boston's Roger Clemens, 2-1, struck out four and allowed four hits in seven innings, including a two-run homer to Ken Griffey that put the Reds ahead in the second. By The Associated Press Bobby Bonilla hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning Friday, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Houston Astros 5-4. Ken Oberkfell and Andy Van Slyke led off the sixth with consecutive singles off Jim Clancy, 1-1, and Bonilla followed with his fourth spring homer, putting Pittsbu ahead 4-2.

Bill Landrum, 1-0, pitched a perfect sixth inning, the second of five Pirates' pitchers. Brian Fisher, who had not pitched in 10 days because of a strained muscle in his right side, allowed three hits and two runs in five innings. Clancy gave up six hits and four runs in six innings, striking out four and walking none. He had allowed only one run in his previous 15 spring innings. Cardinals 1, Rangers Jose DeLeon pitched five strong innings and Tony Pena drove in the only run with a seventh-inning single.

Two Cardinals left the game with injuries. First baseman Pedro Guerrero strained a ligament in his right knee and Greg Mathews had problems with his pitching elbow. DeLeon had nine strikeouts and reliever Dan Quisenberry struck out three in his two innings of work. The Cardinals, who were outhit 6-4, scored their only run with two outs in the seventh when Milt Thompson doubled, Denny Walling walked and Pena singled off losing pitcher Dwayne Henry. Red Sox 9, Reds 2 Marty Barrett's three-run double highlighted a seven-run fifth inning that carried the Red Sox over the Reds.

All seven runs in the inning were charged to Scott Scudder, who gave up 11 hits, five walks and nine runs in 4 innings. Scudder, who has never played in the majors, is trying to become the Reds' fifth starter. Boston's Roger Clemens struck out four and allowed four hits in seven innings, including a two-run homer to Ken Griffey in the second. Jim Rice went 4-for-4, with a single and three doubles. Mets 8, Dodgers 7 Darryl Strawberry homered off Chris Jones in the ninth inning to lead the Mets over the Dodgers.

Jones, 0-1, relieved Dan Scarpetta Spring Training to start the ninth. Mookie Wilson had tied the score in the eighth with a solo home run off Isidrio Marquez, the Dodgers' third pitcher. New York's Dwight Gooden gave up seven runs and eight hits in seven innings, striking out six and walking two. Randy Myers, 1-1, pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. Howard Johnson hit a three-run homer for the Mets in the seventh.

Twins 3, Phillies 2 Kirby Puckett had a hand in all of the Twins' runs. Puckett's first-inning double scored Wally Backman, who also had doubled. Puckett then scored on a single by John Christensen for a 2-0 lead. The Phillies scored in their half of the first on a sacrifice fly by Mike Schmidt. The Twins scored another run in the fifth on two singles and two errors.

Al Newman reached second when Ricky Jordan couldn't handle his grounder. Backman's infield single put runners at first and third, and Newman scored when Schmidt kicked Puckett's grounder to third. Giants 5, Indians 3 Hot-hitting Kevin Mitchell drove in two runs for the Giants with a single and a homer. Mitchell's homer in the sixth inning was his sixth of the spring and tied the game at 3-3. His string of seven consecutive hits was stopped in the seventh inning, and he finished the game with a .481 spring average.

The Giants scored the winning runs off reliever Ed Wojna in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Brett Butler singled with one out and scored on pinch-hitter Terry Kennedy's triple. Kennedy then scored the final run on a sacrifice fly by Robby Thompson. Padres 2, Athletics 1 Carmelo Martinez led off the ninth inning with his sixth spring homer for the Padres. Rob Nelson had tied the game with a solo homer off Oakland starter Mike Moore in the seventh.

The homer was one of only two hits allowed in seven innings by Moore, who also gave up a leadoff single in the first to Bip Roberts. Moore walked two and struck out seven. St. Louis Cardinal Vince Coleman slides in an un- ers' Dean Palmer prepares to apply the tag during successful attempt to steal third base as the Rang- exhibition action Friday afternoon. AL East Seeks Revival in '89 Soviet Steroid Use Revealed ateur Athletic Federation.

They included Nadyezhda Tkashenko, a 1980 Olympic gold medalist in the pentathlon, and shot putter Yevgeniy Mironov, a silver medalist at the 1976 Games. Middle-distance runner Tatyana Kazankina, a three-time Olympic gold was suspended by the IAAF for refusing to take a drug test. According to Smena, Soviet athletes sell anabolic steroids as well as use them. Speed skater Nikolai Guliaev was accused of steroid smuggling, but was cleared to compete at the Calgary Olympics, where he won the gold medal in the 1,000 meters. In 1984.

Canadian customs agents nabbed two Soviet weightlifters with steroids. Smena praised current efforts in the West to crack down on drug use in sports, saying that at least there, "The violators themselves are not charged with catching the violators, as they are here." have liked to become a mother." Drug use among athletes has long been hushed up in a "pact of silence," the magazine said, and the officials charged with controlling it are more interested in racking up the maximum number of medals. The article listed several cases when Soviet athletes suddenly bowed out of competition, claiming injury or illness when actually secret tests revealed telltale signs of drug use in their urine. At the Winter Olympics in Calgary, it said, Soviet skier Allar Levandi did very well in the trials, but then his trainers told him, "You've suddenly gotten a terrible stomach ache, you understand?" Similar withdrawals following positive test results occurred repeatedly this decade at international competitions in track and field, pentathlon and weightlifting, Smena said. Between 1974 and 1981, nine Soviet athletes failed drug tests and were suspended by the International Am By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer Once upon a time, the best two or three teams in the major leagues all lived in the American League Cast.

That fairy tale is over. The neighborhood has gotten a little down and better clubs have sprung up in baseball's suburbs. Boston won the division last year with 89 victories, the fewest in a full season for an AL East champion. Five teams chased for the title and the Yankees finished fifth, Just 34 games behind Boston. So have some of the players.

Many of the familiar faces are gone this season Eddie Murray. Bruce Hurst, Julio Franco and Willie Randolph have left, along with Jack Clark, Walt Terrell and Claudell Washington. Toronto Blue Jays The same old gang gets a new borne in the SkyDome on June 5. But if Toronto doesn't win, general manager Pat Gillick nicknamed "Stand Pat" because he hasn't made a major trade since 1967 will make a lot of changes. The Blue Jays have won at least 86 games for six straight years; only Detroit and the New York Mets have won more.

Pitching, as always, will carry them this season. Dave Stieb MM) came within one strike of no-hitters in his final two starts. Left-handers Jimmy Key (125 despite elbow trouble). Mike Flanagan (13-13) and Jeff Mussel-man (4-1) also are in the rotation. John Cerutti (0 98 earned run average after the All-Star break) may fill in for free agent Jim Clancy.

Tony Fernandez (.287, 41 doubles) is a three-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop and Fred McG riffs 34 home runs established him at first base. Kelly ruber (81 RBI) is solid at third base but second base remains weak. Detroit Tigers Count on it: Sparky Anderson will lead the Tigers to their 12th straight winning season. He had them in first place last August until injuries to Alan Trammell, Lou Whi taker and Jeff Robinson prompted a 4-19 slump. Trammell (.311) and Whi taker (.275) again are up the middle; it seems like they've been there forever, but both are 31.

Keith Moreland and Chris Brown, acquired from San Diego for Walt Terrell, should help with offense at the corners. Robinson held opponents to a .197 batting average, lowest among AL starters, and was 13-8. He seems to have recovered from circulation problems that finished him six weeks early. Jack Morris (15-13) is still the top winner of the decade and Frank Tanana and Doyle Alexander wop 14 games apiece. Mike Henneman (9-6, AL East 22 saves, 1.98) is best in the bullpen.

Fred Lynn (25 HR at age 36), Gold Glove winner Gary Pettis and Chet Lemon (64 RBI) form an outfield comprised of three center fielders. Milwaukee Brewers The Brewers were the favorites until injuries to Ted Higuera and Juan Nieves ruined a pitching staff that lost the league's ERA title to Oakland on the final day. Bill Wegman (13-13), Mike Btrkbeck (10-8) and Don August (13-7) must take over while Higuera (16-8, 2.45) and Nieves (7-5) heal for a month. The Brewers' bullpen was the most effective in the majors, converting 51 of 58 saves chances. Dan Plesac (30 saves).

Chuck Crim (AL-high 70 games) and Paul Mirabella (1.65 ERA, stranding 35 of 42 inherited runners) were consistent. Robin Yount .306, 91 RBI. 22 SB) at age 33 is on track for 3,000 career hits. Paul Molitor (.312) and Rob Deer (23 HR) might get help from rookie shortstop Gary Sheffield (28 HR, 119 RBI in the minors). Boston Red Sox Will there be more action on the field or off at Fenway Park? Wade Boggs may be able to block out distractions, but the rest of Red Sox cannot avoid the Margo mess.

Manager Joe Morgan and Boston overcame a nine-game deficit at the All-Star break and won the division. But the Red Sox went 27-30 after Aug. 4, were swept by Oakland in the playoffs and lost Bruce Hurst. Roger Gemens (18-12, 2.93) decided to stay for three more years but upset fans with remarks that were open to interpretation. Mike Bod-dicker (13-15), Oil Can Boyd (9-7 with arm trouble) and newly acquired John Dopson (3-11, 3.04 with Montreal) must make up for Hurst's 18 victories.

Lee Smith (29 saves) will benefit by Rob Murphy (76 games, 3.08 ERA), acquired with Nick Esasky from Cincinnati for Todd Benzinger and Jeff Sellers. Boggs (.356 lifetime) won his fifth batting title and led the majors with a .476 on-base average. He swung at 1,032 pitches and missed only 32; he also batted .520 when the count reached 3-1. New York Yankees The Yankees got a new look but might get the same results. They have not won the World Series since 1978, the second-longest drought in team history since the Babe Ruth era, and the streak will continue, minus Billy Martin and Lou Piniella.

New York ranked 12th with a 4.24 ERA and allowed a major-league pose Detroit right-hander Jack Morris in Arlington Stadium. Without specifying what be based the decision upon, Valentine said: "Geno's just my opening-day catcher." "I think I'm ready, but making the jump from Class AA rather than the traditional way through Class AAA is going to surprise a lot of people," Kreuter said. "I think Bobby is going to stick me in there (regularly) and see how I do. If I struggle, then he'll just put me in in the right situations, so I don't bomb right off the bat I need to get a look around the league and learn the ropes." It was during his 16 game trial last September that Kreuter billed as a defensive player still learning to hit confounded the scouting reports by struggling defensively while hitting .275. But Valentine said this spring has convinced him Kreuter is ready.

"He's not a baby," Valentine said. "He's paid his dues. He's played ,4 U-. high 157 home runs. Under new Manager Dallas Green and an all-new coaching staff, pitchers Andy Hawkins (14-11), Jimmy Jones (9-14) and Lance McCullers (10 saves) were acquired from San Diego for Jack Clark, and free agent Dave LaPoint (14-13) was signed.

Rick Rhoden is gone, John Candel-aria is hurt and Green doesn't want Ron Guidry and Tommy John. Dave Righetti saved only 25 games in 34 tries. Free agent Steve Sax (.277, 42 SB) and Rickey Henderson (.305, 93 SB) give Green the National League-style players he likes. But without Clark (27 HR, 93 RBI) and free agent Claudell Washington (.308, 64 RBI), a lot of power is missing. Don Mattingly .311, 18 HR, 88 RBI, career-high nine errors) had an off-year by his standards.

Dave Winfield (.322, 25 HR, 107 RBI) had a super season, but back problems may limit him at age 37. The addition of outfielder Mel Hall (71 RBI with Cleveland) will help. Cleveland Indians Cleveland made a 17-game improvement and came within 11 games of first place, its closest finish since 1959. The Indians haven't reached the World Series since 1948, although young pitchers give them hope for the future. The Indians, who led the majors in runs a few years ago, now stress pitching, fielding and speed.

Julio Franco (.305) was traded to Texas for first baseman Pete O'Brien .272, 71 RBI), center fielder Oddibe McDowell (33 SB) and good-glove second baseman Jerry Browne. Veteran knuckleballer Tom Candi-otti (14-8) is joined by Greg Swindell (18-14), John Farrell (14-10) and Scott Bailes (9-14) all in their 20s. Baltimore Orioles None of current pitchers won more than eight games or had more than three saves last season. Now, the Orioles are minus Eddie Murray, too. New uniforms, new owners, a new ballpark being built and a lot of new players might be enough tb improve on a 54-107 record and a 21-game losing streak to start the season, but not enough to matter.

Baltimore got Brian Holton, Juan Bell and Ken Howell from Los Angeles for Murray. Many fans thought Murray was worth more, although the Orioles then traded Howell, who never proved himself, to Philadelphia for former All-Star Phil ley. Bell was sent to the minors. Only Cal Ripken and Bradley are guaranteed spots in the field. Ripken, without anyone to hit behind him, should surpass his 102 walks last season; the Orioles may not score more than their 550 runs, the lowest total in the majors Since 1972.

winter ball the last two years. I like the way be handled himself in camp, the way be handled pitchers. He's working hard on the things he needs to do not just to make the team but to stay in the big leagues for a long time." Both Valentine and Kreuter credited Sundberg with helping Kreuter make the necessary defensive ad justments catching high pitches while in a throwing crouch and setting up later to better disguise pitch locations. "Sunny's trying to help his team as much as be can: that's why I like him so much," Valentine said Kreuter said: "There's no bad feelings at all. Both Sunny and Geno understand there has to be a first time a guy gets called up.

I hope that when I'm in their positions, I'll take things the same way." While Sundberg's playing time definitely will be reduced by Kreuter's presence, Petralli's will change only in position. BE PREPARED! SNAI( AoCTOR MOSCOW (AP) Soviet Olympians had their urine checked at a secret laboratory to make sure they would pass doping tests in Seoul, a magazine reported. "On the ship 'Mikhail which was docked 60 kilometers from Seoul, there was an area that was probably even more heavily guarded than the reactor on a nuclear submarine," the youth magazine Smena said. "But it held not a reactor, but a $2.5 million laboratory for doping analysis." The magazine said steroid use was rampant in Soviet sports and that dozens of cases of drug use were discovered at the last Spartakiad, a national youth Olympics. Smena quoted an athlete who said that she and her teammates were given drugs by the team doctor and told they were vitamins.

"They knew what kind of 'vitamins' these were," said the athlete, who asked not to be unidentified. "And that if you refused, you'd be thrown off the team. "Now I'm practically an invalid My whole hormonal system is destroyed, my health is ruined and my life is still ahead of me. 1 would Longhorns Edge Bears WACO (AP) Lance Jones' sacrifice fly in the 10th inning brought in Steve Betbea and gave Texas a 5-4 Southwest Conference baseball win over Baylor Friday. The game was the first in the SWC for Texas this season and improves the Longhorns overall record to 29-7.

Baylor fell to 3-1 and 25-5. Kirk Dressendorfer pitched all 10 innings for Texas, improving his record to 7-1. Baylor reliever Frank Foltyn, 4-1, had the loss. The Longhorns tied the game at 4-4 in the eighth. Tommy Echols home run in the fifth tied the score at 2 2.

Eddie Toledo batted a home run for the Longhorns. Horned Frogs Blow Out Rice FORT WORTH (AP) Texas. Christian's Scott Loeffier's single sparked a four-run fourth inning as the Horned Frogs beat Rice 6-1 in Southwest Conference baseball Friday. The game was TCU's first in the conference this season and the team improved to 19-8 overall. Rice fell to 0-4 and 7-14.

Loeffier's single scored Paul Gonzalez. Tom Hardgrove and Loeffler were brought in by shortstop Brad Firestone's triple to right center. A single by catcher Kyle Caple brought in Firestone. TCU added two runs in the seventh. Rice catcher Ricky Strebeck was 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles.

Kerry Knox, 7-1 and 1-0, went the distance for TCU. Owl starter Mike Cooper, 3-3 and 0-2, took the loss. A Lifo Saver New medical evidence suggests that the best cure for poisonous insect or snake bites could be as close as your SNAKE DOCTOR. The SNAKE DOCTOR delivers approximately 25KV of electric DC current. It can be carried in your first aid kit, in your survival vest or clipped on your belt.

Kreuter May Get Starting Nod Vorpson eg Won Mm PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) -As expected, catcher Chad Kreuter will be on the Texas Rangers' opening day roster. Manager Bobby Valentine said. But Valentine stopped short of naming Kreuter his regular catcher. Kreuter will be making the difficult jump from Double-A Tulsa, where be hit .265 in 108 games before his September call-up.

A fifth-round draft choice in 1985, he has spent four full seasons in the minors. "I envision him being a major contributor. He'll share the responsibilities (with Geno Petralli and Jim Sundberg), and no matter who catches, well have good catching." Valentine said Wednesday. "I donl think (Kreuter) is the third catcher, but I don't know if he'll catch 100 games. He might, but I don't know if that means 400 at bats.

It may be more. It may be less." One thing is certain: Kreuter, 24-year-old switch-hitter, won't be the catcher on opening day April 4, when knuckjeballer Hough will op CURRENTLY USED BV DocKxs Hosotas Crun Boy Scours Ccws Hunlcs Nev Fnrmn Ranches HI Wvv Zoo Professional Snake Handlers and many omrs rJOlV AVAILABLE AT LENTZ TMVaCcie HARDWARE 1207 N. Wheeler at Nueces Behind South Texas Savings 573-4335.