Throwback Performance for Johnson

Randy Johnson, in his most dominating start since back surgery last September, struck out 15 in eight innings and allowed four hits as the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers, 5-0, Wednesday night at Seattle.

Johnson (7-1), who walked one, was as dominating as he was in 1995 when the 6-foot-10 left-hander won the AL Cy Young Award. Johnson is 11-3 lifetime against the Rangers.

Johnson was not the only Mariner to have a memorable night against Texas. Second baseman Joey Cora singled in the third, extending his hitting streak to 23 games, an AL record for a switch-hitter.

Seattle, which has won 21 of its last 27 games against Texas, beat Darren Oliver (2-6) in Wednesday’s victory.

Cleveland 10, Kansas City 3--David Justice capped a seven-run eighth inning at Kansas City with a long home run, powering the defending AL Central champion to its ninth win in 11 games.

“I think we’re just starting to play the way we’re capable of playing,” Justice said.

The Indians were 12-13 in April, and, even with this current hot streak, they have the same record in May.

Paul Assenmacher (1-0) won for the first time since Sept. 10 by throwing one pitch and retiring pinch-hitter Joe Vitiello in the seventh.

“Don’t laugh,” said Assenmacher, an 11-year veteran. “I’ve lost games on one pitch before too.”

This loss went to Tim Belcher (5-6), his third in as many starts. Belcher was pounded for eight runs and 13 hits in 7 1/3 innings as Kansas City lost for the 10th time in 12 games. Belcher’s ERA, which three starts ago was the lowest in the league at 1.71, climbed to 3.50.

New York 6, Toronto 4--Tino Martinez hit his 19th home run, helping the Yankees to overcome a four-run deficit at Toronto and win for only the second time in nine games.

Joe Carter passed Joe DiMaggio on the home run list by hitting a three-run shot in a four-run third. Carter, who has 362 home runs, moved into sole possession of 41st place.

The Yankees won behind David Wells (5-3). Ed Sprague got his 15th save.

The losing pitcher was Juan Guzman (3-5).

Baltimore 8, Detroit 1--Roberto Alomar, Brady Anderson and Rafael Palmeiro each hit two-run homers at Detroit to lead the Orioles to their ninth victory in 11 games.

Jimmy Key (9-1) allowed one run and six hits in six innings in stopping Detroit’s three-game winning streak.

Shawn Boskie finished with one-hit relief in three innings for his first professional save. He struck out four.

Cal Ripken, who needed four stitches to close a small gash on his right shin after Tuesday night’s game in New York, doubled in the second. That gave him 4,270 total bases for his career, tying him with Brooks Robinson for the top spot on the Orioles’ list.

All three Baltimore homers came off rookie Brian Moehler (3-4).

Boston 5, Chicago 3--Mike Stanley delivered the game-winning hit for the second consecutive night and the Red Sox survived home runs from Frank Thomas and Albert Belle at Boston.

It was the third time this season that Belle and Thomas have homered in the same game. Belle, who went three for four with a single, double and homer, extended his career-high hitting streak to 23 games. Belle has five homers in his last seven games.

Aaron Sele (6-3) earned his second consecutive victory, beating Wilson Alvarez (3-6).

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

Player: Albert Belle

Team: Chicago

Performance: 3 for 4, 2 RBIs, 1 run, homer

Team’s Result: Loss

*

Player: Tino Martinez

Team: New York

Performance: 2 for 4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, homer

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: David Justice

Team: Cleveland

Performance: 2 for 5, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, homer

Team’s Result: Win

PITCHING

Player: Randy Johnson

Team: Seattle

Performance: 8 innings, 4 hits, no runs, 15 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Brad Radke

Team: Minnesota

Performance: 8 innings, 6 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win

*

Player: Jimmy Key

Team: Baltimore

Performance: 6 innings, six hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts

Team’s Result: Win