When the Boston Red Sox released Dwight Evans, many thought his career in baseball was over. Tuesday night, Evans showed he can still swing the lumber like the young guys.
The 39-year-old Evans powered Baltimore to an 8-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, going 4 for 5 with a pair of singles, a double and a three-run homer.Evans, in his 19th big league season, signed with Baltimore during the off-season. In 75 games with the Orioles, Evans is batting .284 with 35 RBI's.
"Someone asked me when I came in, when was I going to hang it up," he said. "I told him, when they tear the uniform off of me, then I'll go home."
Although Evans has been bothered by several injures in his 19th season, he's hitting .524 in his last 20 games.
Besides boosting his average, Evans also raised his career RBI total against Toronto to 93. George Brett and Robin Yount are the only two players who have driven in more runs than Evans.
"I love this ballpark," said Evans, who entering 1990, had a total of 14 home runs in Toronto's Exhibiton and SkyDome ballparks. "It's so conducive to baseball, as a player I absolutely love it. The ballpark's got nice turf, and is fair as far as home runs go. For me it's just a joy to play here."
Ben McDonald, 6-8, won for the first time in six starts, allowing three runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Mike Flanagan, who is also 39, pitched the last three innings for his third save.
Glenn Davis added a solo homer, double and RBI-single to pace a 12-hit attack and offset three Toronto homers. For Davis it was his sixth homer.
Kelly Gruber and John Olerud each clubbed their 16th homer and Roberto Alomar added his eighth for Toronto.
The big blow came in the seventh when Evans three-run shot off Jim Acker capped a four-run inning to give Baltimore an 8-3 lead. It was his sixth home run of the season.
Rangers 5, Yankees 1
At Texas, Jose Guzman pitched just the seventh complete game for Texas to lead the Rangers to their 15th straight victory over New York in Arlington Stadium. It is Texas' longest home winning streak ever over a single team. Guzman improved to 10-5. He allowed five hits and beginning in the fifth retired 11 in a row. Jeff Johnson, 5-9, gave up all four runs and took the loss.
California 2, Boston 0
At Boston, Mark Langston limited Boston to four hits over 6 1-3 innings and Dave Parker drove in one run to lead California. Langston improved to 16-7. Bryan Harvey pitched the ninth for his 35th save and Mike Gardiner, fell to 6-7.
Brewers 5, Athletics 3
At Milwaukee, Robin Yount smacked a three-run homer off Dennis Eckersley with two out in the ninth to rally Milwaukee. Yount lined an 0-1 pitch from Eckersley, 3-3, for his 10th home run and first since May 26. Edwin Nunez, 2-1, got the win.
Royals 8, White Sox 0
At Chicago, Kevin Appier fired a five-hitter and Danny Tartabull blasted a pair of two-run homers to lift Kansas City. Appier, 11-9, struck out eight and walked three, ending a personal two-game losing streak. Jack McDowell, fell to 15-9.
Mariners 1, Tigers 0
At Seattle, Brian Holman outdueled Scott Aldred and Harold Reynolds drove in the only run to help Seattle snap a four-game losing streak. Holman, 12-13, limited Detroit to five hits. Bill Swift pitched the ninth for his 12th save. Aldred fell to 0-3.
National League
Reds 8, Phillies 5
Pitching through the pain has become a way of life for Jose Rijo.
The Cincinnati right-hander, bothered by an assortment of injuries over his four-year career, got the better of a sore elbow long enough to post a Reds' 8-5 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday night.
Rijo, 12-4, overcame an ordinary performance to earn his fourth straight victory, yielding nine hits over seven innings before Rod Dibble relieved for his 28th save. Rijo is 3-0 against Philadelphia this season, 7-3 lifetime.
Braves 4, Expos 1
At Montreal, Dave Justice drove in three runs and Rafael Belliard scored twice to help Atlanta snap a three-game losing streak. John Smoltz, 11-13, gave up six hits over 6 2-3 innings. Alejandro Pena earned his first save with the Braves and fifth of the season. Brian Barnes dropped to 3-6.
Mets 6, Astros 1
At New York, Howard Johnson, playing right field for the first time in nine years, collected two hits, two RBI and scored twice to lead the Mets. Rookie Anthony Young, 1-1, allowed seven hits and one run over seven innings to record his first major league victory. Mark Portugal dropped to 10-7.
Padres 4, Cubs 1
At San Diego, Andy Benes recorded his career-high seventh straight victory with a seven-hitter to lift the Padres. Benes, 11-10, has not lost a decision since July 15 against Montreal. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter. Benes won six straight as a rookie in 1989. Greg Maddux dropped to 11-9.
Dodgers 5, Cardinals 4
At Los Angeles, third baseman Todd Zeile's throwing error allowed Tom Goodwin to score from second base in the ninth inning. The win left the Dodgers in a tie for first in the NL West with Atlanta. Jay Howell, 6-5, earned the win. Scott Terry fell to 4-3.
Pirates 5, Giants 3
At San Francisco, Steve Buchele, acquired Friday from the Texas Rangers, ripped a two-run single in the 10th inning to lift Pittsburgh to its seventh win in eight games. Bob Patterson, 3-1, pitched 1 1-3 innings for the victory. Francisco Oliveras fell to 4-5.