A-Rod Loses in Return to Seattle

<br>Alex Rodriguez, baseball's $252 million man, returned to Seattle _ serenaded by boos and showered with fake money tossed from the upper deck. <br><br>And the star shortstop didn't have much

Tuesday, April 17th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Alex Rodriguez, baseball's $252 million man, returned to Seattle _ serenaded by boos and showered with fake money tossed from the upper deck.

And the star shortstop didn't have much to show for his first game back in the city where he was once the Mariners' signature player. He went 1-for-5 with no RBIs Monday night as the Texas Rangers lost 9-7.

``I think it's all in fun,'' he said. ``That's why they're some of the greatest fans. They were in postseason form. If I was wearing a Mariners' uniform, they would have been cheering for me.''

A sellout crowd of 45,657 not only booed the four-time All-Star, whose 10-year contract is the richest in sports history, but some fans threw bogus money from the upper reaches of Safeco Field.

``That's tough. No respect. I can't deal with it,'' Seattle center fielder Mike Cameron said. ``People have their own opinion. Maybe the first time. But every single time? Forty-five thousand people made a decision to boo him. You've got to remember what this guy brought to the city.''

In other AL games, it was Boston 4, New York 1; Baltimore 6, Tampa Bay 2; Kansas City 5, Minnesota 3; and Oakland 6, Anaheim 3.

Seattle, which leads the AL West, took a 6-0 lead after two innings against Ryan Glynn (0-3). Mariners starter Aaron Sele was chased in a four-run third, and Ryan Franklin (2-0) allowed one run and three hits in four innings.

``I'm disappointed in myself,'' Sele said. ``I've been around long enough to know what to do with big leads.''

Rafael Palmeiro homered twice for Texas and drove in five runs.

But Rodriguez and the boos were the big story.

``I was expecting it,'' he said. ``I've been expecting it for a long time. I expect it to be just the same the next two nights.''

Red Sox 4, Yankees 1

Frank Castillo (1-1) allowed two hits in six shutout innings as Boston won the traditional Patriots' Day game at Fenway Park to take three of four from the World Series champions.

New York starter Mike Mussina (1-1) gave up three runs and eight hits in seven innings, with six strikeouts and no walks. Rod Beck got three outs for his first save.

Boston never trailed after Darren Lewis tripled in the first and scored on Trot Nixon's groundout.

Orioles 6, Devil Rays 2

Greg Myers drove in three runs with a homer and a two-run single before 24,558, only the fourth time in the 10-year history of Camden Yards that the Orioles drew fewer than 30,000 fans.

Jason Johnson (1-0) became the first Baltimore starter to earn a victory this season, allowing one run and three hits in six innings.

Ryan Rupe (0-2) gave up two runs and six hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Royals 5, Twins 3

Jermaine Dye and Mark Quinn hit two-run homers off Joe Mays (2-1) as visiting Kansas City stopped Minnesota's six-game winning streak.

Kansas City, just 4-9 this season, has won three of four against the Twins. Those are the only defeats for Minnesota (9-3), which leads the AL Central by 3 1/2 games.

Dan Reichert (1-1) gave up eight hits in 6 1-3 innings, allowing three runs. Roberto Hernandez pitched the ninth for his third save.

Athletics 6, Angels 3

Mark Mulder (1-1) held Anaheim hitless into the sixth inning as visiting Oakland stopped a seven-game losing streak.

Frank Menechino had a homer and three RBIs to back Mulder, who allowed three runs and five hits in six-plus innings. Jason Isringhausen pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

Jarrod Washburn (0-1), scheduled to be the Angels' opening day starter until he was sidelined by strep throat, came off the disabled list and allowed six runs _ four earned _ and 12 hits in 6 2-3 innings.