Pavano Gets 1st Win in Almost 2 Years

Tuesday, April 10th 2007, 7:36 am

By: News On 6

Carl Pavano needed just 79 pitches to get a win he waited almost two years for. Pavano threw seven efficient innings, Alex Rodriguez homered for the third straight game, and the New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins 8-2 Monday night. Pavano (1-0) gave up six hits and two runs for his first victory since May 22, 2005.

``Some days, it feels like yesterday. Sometimes, a lifetime,'' said Pavano, who signed a four-year deal worth just under $40 million after the 2004 season only to watch his opportunities cut short by shoulder, elbow and back problems. Before pitching last week on opening day, Pavano's previous appearance was on June 27, 2005.

``I'm excited to take this win and get rolling,'' he said. ``Someone's got to go out and do it. I'm glad I was the guy.''

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Rodriguez became the first player in team history to hit five homers in the first six games. He leads the majors in both homers and RBIs, with 13.

Bobby Abreu went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs for New York.

Also Monday, Seattle's doubleheader at Cleveland was postponed again by snow and the Indians moved their upcoming series against the Los Angeles Angels to Milwaukee's Miller Park. The teams will play a three-game series beginning Tuesday in a ballpark that has a retractable roof, unlike Jacobs Field.

After Friday's game was called, the Indians and Mariners hoped to play a day-night doubleheader Saturday, but that was put off by the spring storm. They then scheduled a doubleheader for Sunday, which also was postponed.

In other AL games Monday, it was: Chicago 4, Oakland 1; Toronto 9, Kansas City 1; Texas 8, Tampa Bay 4; and Baltimore 6, Detroit 2.

The Yankees lost three times last week, setting a franchise record when each starter failed to reach the sixth inning during a chilly homestand that included one postponement.

``For the first time, we had a temperature the guys could stay loose in,'' said manager Joe Torre, who raved about Pavano's outing at the Metrodome. ``He was great all game. I was very proud of the job he did.''

Sidney Ponson (0-1) gave up 10 hits and eight runs in 5 2-3 innings for the host Twins.

``I'm not a guy to make excuses,'' said Ponson, who gave up five runs with two outs. ``I just didn't pitch good today. That's what it comes down to.''

White Sox 4, Athletics 1

Scott Podsednik broke a tie with his fifth-inning solo homer and Jim Thome also homered to help the White Sox spoil Oakland's home opener.

Jose Contreras (1-1) bounced back from an awful outing on opening day to pitch six effective innings as Chicago snapped a four-game losing streak at McAfee Coliseum with only its fifth win in 28 tries at Oakland since 2001.

They beat Rich Harden (1-1) to do so, too _ handing the A's their first defeat with the hard-throwing right-hander on the mound in his last 12 regular-season starts.

Blue Jays 9, Royals 1

A.J. Burnett and three relievers combined on a four-hitter and Vernon Wells homered to help Toronto win its home opener.

Lyle Overbay hit a three-run double for the AL East-leading Blue Jays, who have averaged seven runs a game in the first six games. Toronto has won three straight.

The Royals' John Buck homered off Burnett (1-1), who allowed just three hits, struck out five and walked three in 6 2-3 innings.

Kansas City manager Buddy Bell was ejected after plate umpire Paul Nauret allowed Toronto's Reed Johnson to score from first on Overbay's ground-rule double that a fan interfered with.

Odalis Perez (0-2) lost his second straight start. He allowed four runs and seven hits in just 1 1-3 innings.

Rangers 8, Devil Rays 4

Ian Kinsler went 4-for-4 and drove home the tiebreaking run in the big inning for host Texas.

Kinsler's RBI single in the sixth put the Rangers ahead 3-2 and started a six-run outburst with two outs. He was the first of six straight batters that reached against two Tampa Bay relievers who didn't record an out.

Brandon McCarthy (1-1) allowed two runs and five hits over six innings in his first home start for Texas.

Edwin Jackson (0-1), the No. 5 starter for Tampa Bay making his season debut, gave up four runs and eight hits. Carl Crawford homered for the Devil Rays.

Orioles 6, Tigers 2

Daniel Cabrera allowed two runs in 7 2-3 innings and Kevin Millar homered in a four-run third inning for host Baltimore.

Melvin Mora had two hits, scored a run and drove in one for the Orioles, who have won three of four after an 0-3 start. Brian Roberts, who came in batting .136 (3-for-22), went 2-for-4 and scored twice.

Cabrera (1-1) gave up seven hits, struck out five and walked none.

Detroit's Chad Durbin, making his first start in the majors since 2004, gave up six runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings.