East: David Wells had to stop pitching after just one inning of a minor-league game Sunday because of a stiff back. Wells, scheduled to start the Toronto Blue Jays’ season opener April 3, said it was nothing serious. . . . Marty Cordova headed home after the Boston Red Sox granted his request to be released so he can hook up with another team. The move means Gary Gaetti, 41, may make the team as a backup first baseman, third baseman and designated hitter.
Central: Dan Reichert, the Kansas City Royals’ top pick in the 1997 draft, improved his chances to make the staff by throwing three hitless innings in a 7-3 split-squad victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. . . . Tony Clark hit a two-run homer as the Detroit Tigers beat the Atlanta Braves 7-3. Clark, who hit .280 with 31 homers last season, is 6 for 48 this spring.
West: On the day the Kingdome was imploded, the Seattle Mariners’ pitching blew up again as they lost 18-6 to Arizona and watched their staff ERA climb from 6.60 to 7.11.
