BALTIMORE -- Don Mattingly, who never hit a grand slam before this season, shrugged off his fifth bases-loaded homer that tied a major-league record.
Mattingly's home run helped the Yankees to an 8-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Friday night. Mattingly shares the grand slam record with Ernie Banks of the 1955 Chicago Cubs and Jim Gentile of the 1961 Baltimore Orioles.
'I never think about records,' Mattingly said. 'I think about driving in runs. I never try to hit ball out of the ballpark. The key to it all is not being satisfied with what you did.'
Mattingly's slam off Jose Mesa, 0-3, in the second inning gave New York nine for the season, one shy of the major-league record set by the 1938 Detroit Tigers. Mattingly is 7 for 13 with 24 RBI this season with the bases loaded.
'Every season you feel like you missed some opportunities,' said Mattingly, who drove in five runs to boost his RBI total to 106. 'You always feel like you miss a little. Things happen that set you back, then you find it again. I dont' think I've been as consistent as I would have liked.'
Mattingly's 28th home run snapped a 2-2 and made a winner of rookie Al Leiter, 2-1. Leiter survived throwing 43 pitches in the first inning to strike out ten and scatter eight hits over 6 2-3.
'I'll let my arm do the talking,' said Leiter. 'I threw a lot of pitches (143) but didn't feel tired. I was wild, I was rushing but being a rookie, all you can ask for is a fair chance.'
Dave Winfield belted his 26th home run after Mattingly's shot, the eighth time the Yanks have smashed back-to-back homers.
Willie Randolph's bases-loaded walk in the second enabled him to tie his career-high in RBI with 61.
'I'm not paid for RBIs,' said Randolph. 'I get more excited about my on-base percentage It's nice but to be excited I'd have to drive in a hundred runs.'
Baltimore outhit the Yankees, 8-5 with three hits coming from shortstop Cal Ripken's replacement, Rene Gonzales. Ripken was thrown out int he first inning for arguing balls and strikes.
'I hated to see it happen,' said Oriole Manager Cal Ripken Sr.
'We are trying to win games and they are kicking guys out, said Ripken Sr. 'He said nothing to be thrown out and did nothing.'
'That's right,' said Cal Jr. 'In my mind, I said nothing to be thrown out. I don't have a reason why, either.'
Said Home plate umpire Tim Welke: 'He argued balls and strikes, screamed in my face and his helmet hit my mask.'
Ripken's ejection was his first in 983 games. Baltimore's 50 home defeats are the most since Seattle was beaten 51 times at the Kingdome in 1983.
