Valentin Injury Mars Red Sox Victory

The game already seemed insignificant in the wake of the Boston Red Sox’s big series with the rival New York Yankees.

And when Red Sox third baseman John Valentin crumpled to the dirt in agony, the 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals Tuesday at Boston became almost irrelevant.

“When I saw him go down, it looked pretty ugly,� said second baseman Jeff Frye, who has torn ligaments in both knees. “I kind of had a flashback when I heard him say he felt it pop.�

Trot Nixon, Carl Everett and Mike Stanley homered, and Jeff Fassero won his fifth consecutive decision. But the Red Sox were in no mood to celebrate after seeing Valentin’s left leg crumple under him when he went to field a ground ball in the second inning.

Trainers rushed to help Valentin, and he was taken off the field on the back of a groundskeeper’s cart. The 33-year-old infielder was taken to a hospital for tests; the Red Sox said no additional information would be forthcoming Tuesday.

“You know that he’s seriously injured,� Manager Jimy Williams said. “They had to take him off on a cart. . . . Not good.�

Baltimore 8, Tampa Bay 7--Albert Belle and Cal Ripken Jr. each had a homer and two RBIs for the Orioles at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Detroit 7, Texas 4--Dean Palmer hit a home run and drove in five runs at Detroit.

Minnesota 4, Toronto 1--Rookie Mark Redman gave up four hits in seven innings at Toronto as the Twins won their fourth in a row.

Oakland 7, New York 4--T.J. Mathews, Jeff Tam and Jason Isringhausen combined on four innings of one-hit relief for the Athletics at New York.

Chicago 2, Seattle 1--James Baldwin won for the eighth time in nine decisions, and Carlos Lee and Ray Durham homered for the White Sox at Seattle.