Jordan helps rally White Sox to tie

CHICAGO, Illinois (AFP): Retired basketball star Michael Jordan knocked in two runs here Thursday, helping spark the Chicago White Sox from a four-run deficit into a 4-4 exhibition draw with the cross-town rival Cubs.

Jordan went 2-for-5 with an RBI single in the sixth inning and a game-tying double in the seventh inning of his first game in a major-league ball park. He played right field and batted sixth in the order for the White Sox.

He also struck out and made a fielding error before 37,825 fans at Wrigley Field. The game was ended with no decision after 10 innings.

"I'm improving," said Jordan, who departed for Birmingham, Alabama, for his minor-league assignment. He will join the Class AA Birmingham Barons on Friday, needing to advance two steps before earning the right to play with the White Sox in a regular- season game.

Jordan received a standing ovation and cheers from fans in the city where he led the Bulls to three straight National Basketball Association titles. He quit last October following the murder of his father.

Jordan's inexperience showed several times. He struck out with the winning run on base in the ninth inning. In the third, he let a ball hit by Shawon Dunston get under his glove, allowing a Cubs' run to score.

In the seventh, Jordan advanced only from second to third on a double to center field, waiting because he thought the ball would be caught. Jordan was later caught in a rundown and tagged out.

Jordan's arrival in the southern United States will be greeted with sellout crowds. Chatanooga Lookouts officials are hiring 15 extra security guards to deal with a mob expected in Jordan's first series away from Birmingham.

But that's nothing compared to the chaos expected this weekend when the 31-year-old NBA legend continues his journey toward the major leagues. Results Boston 9, Detroit 6 New York 18, Texas 6 Minnesota 7, California 4 Cleveland 6, Seattle 2 Milwaukee 12, Oakland 2