AMERICAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Ryan Begins Farewell Tour With Win

Nolan Ryan opened his farewell season with a strong six-inning performance Friday night, leading the Texas Rangers over the Boston Red Sox, 3-1.

Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco hit consecutive home runs during the sixth inning as Ryan picked up the victory. In 1992, Ryan didn’t win until June 28, his 12th start, and finished 5-9.

“Those things last year were few and far between,” Ryan said. “So, I’d like to think this is a different year and maybe I can put a string of them together. . . . I was real happy with the stuff I had.”

With the first pitch, which was fouled off by Scott Fletcher, the 46-year-old Ryan became the first player to appear in 27 major league seasons. He had been tied with catcher Deacon McGuire and pitcher Tommy John. Ryan owns or shares 53 major league records.

The only player in the history of U.S. major league sports to appear in more seasons is hockey’s Gordie Howe, who played 32 years.

The game marked the last opening night at Arlington Stadium, and a sellout crowd of 40,188 attended. The Rangers, who won their third consecutive game, move to a new stadium next season.

Ryan was a member of the Angels and in uniform at Arlington Stadium for the Rangers’ first home opener on April 21, 1972.

Ryan’s five strikeouts raised his major league record to 5,673.

Palmeiro led off the sixth with a 405-foot homer to right-center, and Canseco followed four pitches later with a 409-foot drive down the left-field line.

John Dopson gave up five hits, struck out seven and walked one in six-plus innings.

Andre Dawson, who got three of Boston’s five hits, doubled twice off Ryan, but was stranded at third both times.

Tom Henke got the final two outs for his second save.

Minnesota 8, Kansas City 7--With three swings of the bat, Dave Winfield passed Rogers Hornsby and Reggie Jackson, and sent the Royals to another loss.

Winfield had two doubles and a three-run home run as the Twins took a five-run lead and hung on to beat the winless Royals at Kansas City.

Kirby Puckett added a two-run homer as Kansas City dropped to 0-4.

Winfield, who has nine RBIs, passed Hornsby and moved into 17th place on the career extra-base hits list with 1,013. He passed Jackson in total bases, moving into 16th with 4,836. Winfield also tied Jesse Burkett for 30th on the hits list with 2,872.

George Brett’s first-inning single moved him into 16th place on the hits list with 3,008, one more than Al Kaline.

Toronto 13, Cleveland 10--Devon White’s two-out, two-run triple capped a four-run seventh inning as the Blue Jays won their 13th home opener in 17 tries.

Before the game, the Blue Jays were presented with their World Series rings and given a long standing ovation by the capacity crowd of 50,533 at the SkyDome.

Ed Sprague, who is taking over at third bvase for Kelly Gruber, went four for five with four RBIs. His two-run double ;in the eighth gave Toronto a 13-9 lead.