Johnson Strikes Out 16 in 5-4 Victory

Randy Johnson struck out 16 and pitched out of a ninth-inning jam, leading the Seattle Mariners past the Kansas City Royals, 5-4, Friday night in Seattle.

Johnson (13-2) fanned at least 15 for the fourth time this season. He leads the majors with 198 strikeouts.

Johnson struck out Ryan Long to start the ninth, but David Howard walked and Bip Roberts singled pinch-runner Tom Goodwin to third.

Shane Halter, who homered in the first inning, then struck out for the fourth consecutive time. Johnson finished up his third complete game by retiring Jay Bell on a fly ball.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit a two-run single in the fourth that put the Mariners ahead for good.

Johnson gave up nine hits and walked three. He was coming off a 14-strikeout performance against Texas, and struck out 19 against Oakland on June 24.

Ricky Bones (0-2) lasted only 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the year.

Boston 7, Cleveland 0--The way Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball was dancing, the Indians were fortunate to make any contact at all.

Wakefield (4-10) pitched a six-hitter for his first shutout in two years and Jeff Frye had three hits and three RBIs to lead the Red Sox to the victory at Cleveland.

Wakefield struck out nine and walked four. It was his first victory since June 25 at Toronto.

Cleveland got a runner to third base twice, but both times Wakefield was able to escape without giving up a run. He struck out Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez to end a threat in the first, and fanned Omar Vizquel for the final out in the seventh.

Chicago 3, Baltimore 0--James Baldwin gave up two hits in seven-plus innings and a wild pitch by Mike Mussina produced the lead run at Baltimore.

Albert Belle hit his 21st homer in the eighth inning as the White Sox sent Baltimore to its ninth loss in 11 games.

The only hits off Baldwin (7-9) were a fifth-inning single by Cal Ripken and a single by Mike Bordick leading off the eighth. After Bordick’s single, Tony Castillo came in and retired the side.

Baldwin (7-9) walked three and struck out five to improve to 5-2 in his last nine starts.

Baldwin and Mussina were locked in a scoreless duel until the Chicago seventh.

Harold Baines singled and went to third on a single by Lyle Mouton, who took second on the throw to third. Mussina got two straight groundouts before walking Ozzie Guillen to load the bases.

Mussina then threw his first pitch to Norberto Martin in the dirt and Baines came home with Chicago’s first run.

Minnesota 7, Oakland 3--LaTroy Hawkins ended his five-game losing streak, pitching the Twins over the Athletics at Oakland.

Hawkins (2-5) won for the first time since June 17. He gave up eight hits, and left after Scott Brosius homered to lead off the ninth inning.

Minnesota took a 2-0 lead in the third off Steve Wojciechowski (0-2). Denny Hocking singled, stole second and scored on Chuck Knoblauch’s single.

Knoblauch took second when left fielder Jason Giambi’s throw went to the plate, then stole his 38th base and scored on Pat Meares’ single. Meares had three hits and drove in two runs.

The A’s had two runners on base and two outs in the fifth with Mark McGwire at the plate, but Hawkins retired him on a weak grounder.

Detroit 5, Texas 4--Bobby Higginson and Brian Hunter each drove in two runs and Willie Blair won his fourth straight decision as the Tigers won at Arlington, Texas.

Blair (8-4) gave up seven hits and four runs in 6 1/3 innings to set his career high for wins. He struck out three and walked one.

Todd Jones got five outs for his 15th save. He struck out Rusty Greer with a runner on second to end the game.

Higginson doubled home Hunter and Deivi Cruz in the third to put Detroit up, 2-0, against Bobby Witt (10-5).

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BESTS OF THE DAY

BATTING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Jeff Frye Boston 3 for 4, 3 RBIs, double, home run Win Brian Hunter Detroit 2 for 3, 2 RBIs, double Win

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PITCHING

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Player Team Performance Team’s Result Tim Wakefield Boston 9 innings, no runs, 9 strikeouts Win Randy Johnson Seattle 9 innings, 16 strikeouts, 4 runs Win James Baldwin Chicago 7 innings, no runs, 2 hits Win Mike Mussina Baltimore 8 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 8 strikeouts Loss

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