|
TAMPA BAY TRIBUNE
DEVIL RAYS SHINE IN FRANCHISE DEBUT; DEFEAT CUBAN DEFECTOR
Tampa Bay, FL - In their first game of franchise history, the Tampa
Bay Devil Rays defeat the famed and history-enriched New York Yankees, 8-7.
Infront of a sold out crowd at Tropicana Stadium, Tampa ace Wilson Alvarez
faced the recently defected Cuban, Orlando Hernandez, or "El Duque".
Hernandez, who got the suprising Opening Day start, despite no major league
experience, was pounded for 7 runs, all earned, off 11 hits, in just 5.2 innings.
"It just wasn't meant to be," said Hernandez through an interpreter. "I
thought I had some of my best stuff, but these are major leaguers. I'll have
to adjust to keep up."
The Devil Rays jumped on El Duque early, scoring a run in each of the first
three innings and a pair in both the 5th and 6th innings. Thirdbasemen Wade
Boggs hit a pair of two out doubles against Hernandez, finally knocking him
out in the 6th. Boggs, who is quickly approaching 40 and not showing any
signs of stopping, went 3-3, driving in four runs.
"Been doin' this for the past 16 years," said Boggs. "Day in and day out, ain't
about to stop now. Love this game."
The hitting heroics of Boggs and teammate Dave Martinez, who went 3-4
with three runs scored, were needed as Wilson Alvarez wasn't at his best.
Alvarez, too, only lasted 5.2 innings, but fared much better than Hernandez,
giving up only three runs off seven hits.
After a four run 7th inning for the Yankees, Tampa Bay left fielder Jerome
Walton had what was to be the game winning run, a solo home run off
reliever Mike Stanton.
Roberto Hernandez pitched a perfect 9th for his first save of the season.
|