By Jacob Luft
SportsLine Staff Writer

Cuba takes over baseball for a day

Major league baseball had a definite Cuban flavor to it last night.

In addition to the Orioles-Cuba exhibition game, two famous Cuban defectors took to the mound. But Orlando Hernandez and Livan Hernandez, half-brothers who have taken turns being postseason heroes the last two years, did not fare nearly as well as their countrymen.

Cuba's Andy Morales celebrates his ninth-inning, three-run homer.(AP)

Then again, they weren't playing the Orioles.

The Kansas City Royals roughed up Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez for seven runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 9-3 rout of the Yankees. Considering they didn't beat the Yanks once last season, the Royals felt like having a revolutionary type celebration of their own after gaining a split of a four-game series.

"It is a great feeling," said K.C.'s Mike Sweeney. "Last year we played them 10 times and we lost 10 times. For us to come into Kauffman Stadium, where we've been struggling, and win two out of four against the best team in the world is a great accomplishment."

The fans got so excited they forgot they were in Kansas City instead of New York. As Yankees first baseman Tino Martinez left the field, he was doused with beer along with other Yanks.

In Miami, in front of a measly crowd of 8,628, Livan Hernandez pitched seven solid innings (four runs) but got a no-decision as the Brewers outlasted the Marlins 6-4 in 13 innings. Fernando Vina's two-run homer in the top of the 13th was the difference.

Havana happy

For those who opposed the game on political grounds, consider that the Cuban national team's 12-6 victory over Baltimore set off the first public celebrations in years that were not planned by the communist pary.

In Havana, small groups of elated fans gathered along the famous Malecon seawall and in parks to celebrate the national team's historic victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

"What are they going to say now?" Daniel Padron asked at Havana's Parque Central. "They have to admit now that Cuba is good at baseball."

The celebration, which began with a huge cheer that spread across Havana's neighborhoods, was generally sedate in a country where for nearly 40 years the only street celebrations have been organized by the communist system.

Cuban government radio reported that the victorious team was expected to land in Havana today. Team members were expected to receive a heroes' welcome and were almost certain to be met at the airport by President Fidel Castro.

"Havana is happy!" Padron said from the seawall with his young son.

Reed boosts Mets

The Mets were ecstatic with the performance of Rick Reed last night, who come off the DL to pitch six solid innings and lead the Mets to a 5-3 victory over Houston.

It was New York's sixth win a row.

"If you would have told me we'd get six innings out of `Reeder,' I'd feel like I'd won the lottery," said Mets pitching coach Bob Apodaca. "One of the things that impresses me is he's able to come back and beat a great hitting team with one pitch -- a fastball."

Reed, placed on the disabled list April 12, allowed three runs and five hits while striking out six. At one point, the right-hander retired 11 straight against the National League's best hitting team.

Cycles and slams

Two hitters reached milestones in losing efforts last night.

Robby Thompson had been the last Giants player to hit for the cycle, on April 22, 1991, against San Diego.

Another wild game, in Oakland, saw a rare occurrence when Boston rookie Creighton Gubanich become the first player with a grand slam for his first major-league hit since Orlando Mercado did it for Seattle against Texas on Sept. 19, 1982.

It went for naught as the A's beat Boston 12-11 in 10 innings.

"I was ecstatic. You always dream of getting your first hit in the big leagues," Gubanich said. "I was telling the guys the other day it would be real good to get your first hit, your first RBI and your first homer at the same time."

Gubanich, who got the ball back from the grand slam, said he'll retire the 33-ounce bat he used to hit the homer.

"It will never be used again. It's great I'm in the record book," he said.

The horror

As bad as the Mariners pitching has been, it's about to get worse.

Butch Henry and Mark Leiter, who were counted on this spring being key members of the Seattle Mariners' pitching staff, will undergo surgery on their shoulders.

Both probably will miss the rest of the season.

The team announced on Monday that Henry, their No. 4 starter with a 2-0 and a 4.63 ERA, has a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

The Mariners said Leiter, a setup man in their bullpen this season, has a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

Luxury tax time

Baseball announced its luxury tax penalties yesterday, and the Dodgers were the hardest hit with a $5.15 million bill.

The New York Yankees were No. 2 at $4.25 million, according to opening-day payroll projections received by teams Monday from the commissioner's office. Baltimore was next at $4.07 million, followed by Atlanta at $772,000 and the Mets at $525,000.

Tax is assessed on the teams with the five highest payrolls at a rate of 34 percent on the amount above the midpoint between payrolls Nos. 5 and 6.

Basically it all amounts to a slap on the wrist for the big-market teams.

Notes

• Commissioner Bud Selig said four teams have asked about playing against the Cubans next year.
• Jose Canseco is divorcing his wife of less than three years. Canseco, 34, and Jessica Marie, 26, have one child, Josie Marie, 2 1/2.
• Mariners closer Jose Mesa pitched the ninth and gave up four runs and two homers yesterday. Although Mesa is 6-for-6 in save opportunities, his ERA in non-save situations is 28.93. It's 1.35 in his six save situations.
• Montreal's Vladimir Guerrero has more errors -- nine -- than his team has wins (seven). Outfielders have reached double figures in errors just 12 times in the '90s. Before Guerrero made 17 last year, the highest total had been 13 by Sammy Sosa ('90 and '95). In April, Guerrero became the first outfielder with eight in one month since George Bell in July 1988.
• L.A.'s Chan Ho Park appears to have snapped out of his early season funk. He shutout the Expos for seven innings last night in a 7-0 victory after beating the Brewers in his previous start. Park's performance helped manager Davey Johnson earn career win No. 1,000.

American League -- Suspended Detroit Tigers pitcher Brian Moehler for 10 days for doctoring baseballs.

Baltimore Orioles -- Recalled first baseman Calvin Pickering from Rochester of the International League (AAA); assigned second baseman Jesse Garcia to Rochester.

Cincinnati Reds -- Recalled pitcher Steve Parris from Indianapolis of the International League (AAA); assigned pitcher Eric LeBlanc from Chattanooga of the Southern League (AA) to Rockford of the Midwest League (A); promoted catcher Guillermo Garcia from Chattanooga to Indianapolis.

Colorado Rockies -- Announced that outfielder Pat Watkins cleared waivers and has been assigned outright to Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); recalled infielder Chris Sexton from Colorado Springs.

Florida Marlins -- Placed pitcher Alex Fernandez on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled right groin muscle; recalled pitcher Rafael Medina from Calgary of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).

Montreal Expos -- Signed pitcher Charles Debuc to a minor-league contract.

New York Mets -- Activated pitcher Rick Reed off the 15-day disabled list; optioned pither Rigo Beltran to Norfolk of the International League (AAA).

New York Yankees -- Placed pitcher Jeff Nelson on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation; recalled pitcher Jay Tessmer from Columbus of the International League (AAA).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays -- Placed pitcher Julio Santana on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis; recalled pitcher Ryan Rupe from Orlando of the Southern League (AA).

Iowa Cubs (Pacific Coast League/AAA) -- Announced that infielder Kary Bridges has requested and been given his release.

Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League/AA) -- Activated infielder Nick Presto from the disabled list.

Charleston Alley Cats (South Atlantic League/A) -- Placed outfielder Eric Vann on the temporary inactive list; recalled first baseman Jeremy Freitas from extended spring training.

Fort Wayne Wizards (Midwest League/A) -- Placed outfielder Scott Hemmings on the disabled list with a pulled right hamstring.