Baseball

AL: Chisox fans back on attack

CHICAGO -- Umpire Laz Diaz was attacked by a fan who came out of the stands during Tuesday night's game between the Royals and White Sox in a frightening reminder of what happened near the same spot last season at the former Comiskey Park.

"I'm physically okay," Diaz said after the Royals won 8-5. "I think you should talk to the other guy and see how he's feeling."

Immediately after Carlos Lee flied out to end Chicago's eighth, a man ran on the field and tried to tackle Diaz, wrapping his arms around the first-base umpire's legs.

Security and players rushed to the aid of Diaz, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The fan quickly was taken away.

"When I looked over, there was one of the fans from the stands and I just got him off me," Diaz said. "I just turned around and got him off me. The good hand-to-hand combat they taught me worked."

It was the first appearance by the Royals in Chicago since former first-base coach Tom Gamboa was pummeled by a father and son who came out of the stands Sept. 19.

Before the game, Gamboa tried to downplay his return.

"I haven't given it a thought really," Gamboa said. "Lightning doesn't strike twice."

But it did, about 100 feet from where Gamboa was attacked. And it happened at the ballpark where the All-Star Game will be held this summer.

"We spoke about it in the locker room: This is where Tom Gamboa got attacked. We thought nothing was going to happen, but it was a full moon out there," Diaz said.

Gamboa now is the Royals bullpen coach.

"I think people just have too much to drink," he said. "I can't imagine what causes it. Two good teams playing a heck of game tonight and it's a shame that that takes away from that."

The game already had been delayed three times when fans ran onto the field before being tackled by security guards. All three fans were charged with trespassing, the White Sox said.

"It's sad that it happened, and happened when it did. Something has to be done to put a stop to it because it becomes somewhat unsafe," White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said. "It's unfortunate that it seems to happen when Kansas City comes to town."

YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 0: Mike Mussina gave host New York just what it needed, allowing three hits in eight sharp innings to help the Yankees to the best start in franchise history.

Jorge Posada homered and Bernie Williams had three hits and two RBIs for the Yankees, who have won 11 of 13 to open the season for the first time.

After a 10-9 victory Monday night, when New York used five relievers for 42/3 innings, manager Joe Torre was counting on a long outing from Mussina.

He provided exactly that, striking out nine and beating the Blue Jays for the seventh straight time since joining the Yankees.

MARINERS 5, A'S 3: John Olerud's run-scoring double in the eighth gave host Seattle the lead in its fourth consecutive victory. The Mariners took over first place in the West by a game.

RANGERS 5, ANGELS 4: Ryan Christenson had a two-run double hours after being called up from the minors, and Einar Diaz added a two-run single in a five-run fourth for host Texas.

TWINS 6, TIGERS 4: Torii Hunter broke his slump by going 2-for-4 with a homer, helping host Minnesota beat Detroit for the 12th straight time. The Twins have won four in a row since six consecutive losses.

INDIANS 8, ORIOLES 3: Matt Lawton hit a three-run homer to lift rookie Jason Davis and host Cleveland. Baltimore starter Omar Daal was ejected for hitting Lawton in the back with a pitch.

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