Indians, Seattle snowed out

CLEVELAND - The start of the Cleveland Indians' AL title defense was delayed when two inches of snow fell on what was supposed to be opening day.

''When you come to Cleveland, your mind frame is you're going to play in cold weather,'' Indians third baseman Jim Thome said after yesterday's game was snowed out. ''It's going to be another long road. You can't win the World Series in April.''

The scheduled starters will be the same for Tuesday's game at sold-out - what else? - Jacob's Field. Dennis Martinez (12-5) will pitch for the Indians against David Cone (18-8).

Jack McDowell, the 1993 AL Cy Young Award winner, will pitch for Cleveland on Wednesday against his former team. The Indians weren't deterred by McDowell's loss to Seattle in his final game last season.

McDowell, making his first relief appearance in the majors, couldn't hold the lead for New York in the 11th inning of Game 5. He gave up back-to-back hits against Ken Griffey and Edgar Martinez.

Orioles rained out in opener

BALTIMORE - President Clinton gets another 24 hours to loosen up his throwing arm.

Clinton and thousands of baseball fans had to change their plans yesterday after a steady rain postponed the season opener between the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals at Camden Yards.

The game will be made up at 3:05 p.m. EST today, when the forecast is for sunny skies and cool temperatures.

Clinton, who decided against throwing the ceremonial first pitch at last year's opener because of the baseball strike, plans to meet with some players before Tuesday's game, White House spokeswoman Julie Green said.

It's the first time the Orioles have postponed a home opener since 1972, when rain washed out their game against the New York Yankees in the top of the first inning. The teams played the next day, with Baltimore winning 3-1 in a game shortened to seven innings because of rain.

The Orioles called off yesterday's game nearly five hours before the scheduled 3:05 p.m. starting time.

''The forecast was for the rain to be constant, heavy at times, with no window for clearing,'' team spokesman Bill Stetka said. ''Out of consideration of the fans and the safety of the players, we decided to call the game early. There was really no sense in bringing everybody out here.''

Rangers 5, Red Sox 3

ARLINGTON, Texas - Ken Hill, making his debut for Texas, led the Rangers over the Boston Red Sox and Roger Clemens 5-3 yesterday in their season opener.

Craig Worthington, starting because Dean Palmer has an injured hamstring, homered for the Rangers, who drew 40,484 to The Ballpark in Arlington, about 8,000 short of a sellout.

Hill pitched for St. Louis and Cleveland last year, then signed an $8.15 million, two-year deal with Texas. He allowed eight hits in 8 2-3 innings, struck out seven and walked none. After Tim Naehring homered in the ninth, Ed Vosberg finished for the save.

Clemens, 3-1 in seven season openers coming in, allowed four runs and three hits in five innings, struck out five and walked six.

Ivan Rodriguez put Texas ahead in the first when he walked and scored on Will Clark's double. Worthington, who had just two homers last year, homered in the second.