Frank Tanana pitched a five-hitter last night to pick up his first victory for the Red Sox, defeating the hapless Seattle Mariners, 4-0. Tanana struck out nine and walked only two on the way to his 25th career shutout after losing his first four decisions of the season.

Carl Yastrzemski provided the winning runs for the Sox in the fifth inning when he belted a double, the 589th of his major league career, off the scoreboard in left field. The shot brought home Rich Gedman and Jerry Remy and put the Red Sox well out of reach.

To prove it was every geriatric's night, 38-year-old tony Perez accounted for the rest of the runs by drilling a home run in the eighth frame. The homer brought home Jim Rice, who had been waiting patiently at first, after receiving a base on balls from reliever Don Gleaton.

Hockey

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Minnesota 4, New York 2

The North Stars avoided elimination from the Stanley Cup finals last night when they downed the Islanders, 4-2. A Steve Payne goal, his 17th of the 1981 playoffs, at 12;26 in the third period secured the win for the North Stars. Minnesota's Brad Maxwell, who missed the third game of this series because of a shoulder injury, assisted all four goals. The defending champion Islanders hold a 3-1 advantage in the series and will try to secure the Cup with a victory in Thursday night's game in New York.

Other News

Terry Bradshaw, the man Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson said could not spell the word "cat" if you spotted him the "c" and the "a," will receive an honorary doctorate in the humanities from his almost mater, Louisiana Tech, on Saturday. The presentation will take place at the school's commencement ceremonies at Aillet Stadium.