Saturday, June 01, 2002
Notes from Friday's games
The Associated Press
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Athletics-Devil Rays
OAKLAND: After using five pitchers in Thursday night's 4-3, 13-inning loss to Tampa Bay, the Athletics recalled RHP Jeff Tam from Triple-A Sacramento. “In case anything happens, you have to prepared,” manager Art Howe said. ... 1B/OF Larry Sutton, who was hitting .105 in seven games, was outrighted to Sacramento. ... OF David Justice (right groin strain) ran the bases for the second straight day. Justice, who hasn't played since May 7, hopes to return shortly. ... RHP Tim Hudson has lost four times and has two no decisions in his past six starts. He allowed one run and 11 hits over six-plus innings Thursday. In the six outings, Hudson has given up 31 runs and 44 hits over 37 innings.
TAMPA BAY: LHP Wilson Alvarez (ribs) was activated from the 15-day disabled list to make his first start since April 14. ... RHP Jorge Sosa was placed on the 15-day DL with a right shoulder strain. He might resume throwing in the bullpen by the middle of next week. ... Manager Hal McRae said the Devil Rays will likely stay with 11 pitchers through interleague play.... McRae didn't let missed opportunities — the Devil Rays went 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position — taint Thursday's 4-3, 13-inning win over Oakland. “We don't win enough games to be (mad) when we win,” McRae said. “I hope I manage enough games to get to that point.”
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Blue Jays-Tigers
TORONTO: The Blue Jays haven't lost a season series to the Tigers since 1995. ... Pitchers Steve Parris (Friday) and SP Chris Carpenter (Saturday) are scheduled to make rehab starts for Double-A Tennessee this weekend. Parris has not pitched in the majors this year, while Carpenter is 0-1 with a 15.19 ERA in two starts.
DETROIT: The Tigers activated RHP Danny Patterson from the disabled list and placed RHP Kris Keller on the 15-day list with a triceps strain. Patterson, who had been out with elbow inflammation, is expected to return to his role as an eighth-inning setup man. “If I weren't ready to go, I wouldn't be back,” Patterson said. “I just hope I can take some of the strain off Juan Acevedo. He's basically been the setup man and the closer, and his arm can't be feeling too good right now.” ... OF Bobby Higginson returned to left field after missing two starts with a hamstring strain. ... Detroit started a 13-game homestand Friday, its longest since a 13-gamer in June 1995.
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Mariners-Orioles
SEATTLE: SS Carlos Guillen batted third for the second time in his career Friday. He debuted at the spot Thursday, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. He has now batted in every spot except cleanup in his career. ... CF Mike Cameron, who hit four homers on May 2, took a 2-for-25 slump into Friday's game. But manager Lou Piniella feels Cameron may be ready to snap out. “He's been struggling, but (Thursday) he had his best four at-bats in a while,” said Piniella. “To come out of a slump, it starts with good at-bats. If Mike can cut down on his strikeouts, he will get into the upper echelon of hitters.” Cameron, who struck out in his first at-bat Friday, needed two HRs to reach 100.
BALTIMORE: RHP Jason Johnson will pitch five innings for Double-A Bowie on Saturday in what he hopes will be his final rehabilitation assignment. Johnson, who has been on the disabled list since April 25 with a broken finger, said, “The finger feels great. Now it's just a matter of getting my arm back in shape. I have no concern at all. I just want to get to my pitch limit and feel strong afterward.” ... RHP Chris Brock (shoulder) is also ready to come off the DL. Manager Mike Hargrove said Brock should be activated next week, at which point the Orioles will carry 12 pitchers instead of 11. ... CF Chris Singleton, who left Thursday's game due to heat exhaustion, was back in the lineup Friday.
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Red Sox-Yankees
BOSTON: Manager Grady Little has been giving ace Pedro Martinez an extra day between starts whenever the team has a day off. But he didn't consider changing plans in order to have Martinez pitch Sunday against the Yankees instead of Monday against Detroit. “We'd like to have him pitch every game against them or play the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 162 times instead of these teams. But it's not going to happen,” Little said. ... 2B Rey Sanchez didn't start for a fourth straight game because of a strained right hamstring. He is expected to return to the lineup Saturday. “They said to take another day to make sure it doesn't happen again,” Sanchez said. ... Rolando Arrojo will be limited to between 70 and 80 pitches when he makes his first start of the season Saturday. ... Manny Ramirez (broken finger) could start swinging a bat by Friday. “He still can't grip the bat but he's progressing,” Little said.
NEW YORK: LHP Andy Pettitte (tendinitis in his pitching elbow) reported no problems after throwing three innings in an extended spring training game. His next start will come Wednesday for Double-A Norwich. “That outing will give us an idea of whether he needs one more,” manager Joe Torre said. ... Torre began his managing career exactly 25 years ago Friday for the New York Mets. “I'd like to think that I've learned and changed with the players and the game,” he said. ... RHP Orlando Hernandez (strained upper back) played catch for a third straight day in Tampa, Fla.
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White Sox-Indians
CHICAGO: OF Kenny Lofton missed Friday night's game and is day to day with inflammation in his right rotator cuff. Lofton injured the shoulder when he dove back to third base during a pickoff play in Wednesday's loss to the New York Yankees. Lofton, whose 35th birthday was Friday, was hitting .301 with 23 RBIs, 43 runs scored and an American League leading 20 steals going into Friday's game. ... The White Sox signed RHP Bill Simas to a minor league contract. Simas, 30, has not pitched in the major leagues since undergoing shoulder surgery in December 2000 and will be placed on the disabled list with Triple-A Charlotte. He pitched with Chicago from 1995-2000, going 18-19 with 23 saves and a 3.83 ERA.
CLEVELAND: OF Chris Magruder's three-hit night against the Detroit Tigers earned him a spot in the starting lineup for the weekend series with Chicago. Magruder, 25, acquired from the Texas Rangers in an April 4 trade for OF Rashad Eldridge, also hit his first career home run. ... SS Omar Vizquel will receive his ninth Gold Glove before Sunday's game against the White Sox. Fellow Venezuelan Luis Aparicio, who is tied with Vizquel for career Gold Gloves by a shortstop, will attend the ceremony.
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Angels-Twins
ANAHEIM: David Eckstein was the DH on Friday night. He still isn't quite ready to return to his shortstop position because the left knee he sprained isn't strong enough for him to move laterally. ... Anaheim's bullpen couldn't hold a 6-4 eighth-inning lead Thursday night and five of the Angels' six relievers pitched. But manager Mike Scioscia isn't concerned. His bullpen is 8-5 with a 3.47 ERA, so he probably shouldn't be. “Our bullpen's in good shape,” Scioscia said. “I've got confidence in our right-handers to get anybody out, lefties or righties. I think we have a very good package to shut people down.” ... DH/1B Shawn Wooten is on a minor league rehab assignment and could come back to the Angels in a week or so. He had surgery on his right thumb in spring training.
MINNESOTA: RHP Brad Radke, who came off the disabled list Thursday and promptly went back on it after reaggravating the injured groin he pulled earlier this month, was to have an MRI on the muscle Friday to make sure it wasn't torn. If not, he will resume the same rehab he went through the past 2 1/2 weeks. ... Radke and RHP Joe Mays, 40 percent of the starting rotation, are on the DL but 2B Luis Rivas is almost ready to return and put the offense finally back at full strength. Rivas, who broke a bone in his left wrist when he was hit by a pitch April 3, is on a rehab assignment with Class A Fort Myers. He could come back as early as next week. ... Former pitcher and current broadcaster Bert Blyleven was set to be inducted Saturday into the Twins' Hall of Fame. The team has played up his accomplishments — 287 wins, 3,701 strikeouts (fourth all-time) — the last few years in an attempt to get him voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... RHP Rick Reed, who left the second inning of his start Wednesday with soreness related to a stiff neck, threw on the side Friday and might be able to start Tuesday.
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Royals-Rangers
KANSAS CITY: Kansas City's offense has been energized under new manager Tony Pena. The Royals had a team batting average of .235 in the first 35 games under Tony Muser and .265 in the first 14 games under Pena. ...Saturday night's starter, LHP Darrell May, will be looking to bounce back against Texas. May allowed four runs and eight hits over 4 1-3 innings in a start against the Rangers last Sunday.
TEXAS: LHP Chris Michalak opted for free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma. Michalak was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday and cleared waivers on Thursday. ...The Rangers don't expect SS Alex Rodriguez to be suspended by the league office after being thrown out of a game against Minnesota on Tuesday night by umpire Greg Gibson. Rodriguez was tossed for running off the field in an “intimidating” manner in the wake of an argument between the umpire and Rodriguez over a safe call at second base on a steal.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
Mets-Marlins
NEW YORK: Florida, which had seven stolen bases in a game Mets LHP Al Leiter started Monday, faces him again Sunday. When asked about any changes in Leiter's approach against the Marlins, manager Bobby Valentine said, “We're going to try to keep them off the bases. It's hard to steal then.” ... With five triples, the Mets again rank last in the National League. Last year they hit a league-low 18.
FLORIDA: Manager Jeff Torborg dropped slumping Preston Wilson from third to fifth in the lineup for the first time. “Maybe a different spot in the order will help get him going,” Torborg said. ... Beginning next week, Florida faces only one team with a winning record — Minnesota — during the next nine series. Coming into Friday, the combined record of those opponents was 195-271 (.418).
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Cubs-Astros
HOUSTON: Manager Jimy Williams missed the game so he could attend the high school graduation of son Shawn, who also pitched for Clearwater (Fla.) Central Catholic, the state's Double-A baseball champion. John Tamargo and Gene Lamont split managerial duties until Williams' expected return Saturday. ... RHP Wade Miller is expected to have his next start pushed back a day to Tuesday at Arizona. In his previous start Wednesday, Miller had stiffness in his upper back and had to leave after four innings. The injury is not related to the pinched nerve in his neck that kept Miller on the DL from April 13-May 29. ... Richard Hidalgo had his seventh career two-homer game and first since April 4, 2001.
CHICAGO: Manager Don Baylor said he watched a CD-ROM of RHP Tom Gordon throwing long toss, a task Gordon completed without pain. The next phase of Gordon's return from a torn right shoulder muscle happens in about 10 days at Houston, when he'll throw off the mound. “He'll probably throw for us the first day and the last day of the series. Then we'll send him out on a rehab and get him ready before the All-Star break. You can't tell that much from the CD-ROM, but if he's throwing in an environment like we had (Kyle) Farnsworth and (Carlos) Zambrano in last week, then we can tell,” Baylor said. ... Zambrano (strained right elbow) threw three innings of one-hit ball in his second rehab assignment Thursday. ... Hydraulic problems on the team's Thursday night charter flight out of Pittsburgh caused some anxious moments. At least for Baylor, whose wife — a former flight attendant — understood the codes being used by the cockpit to inform the flight crew of the plane's status. Most of the players had no idea about the problems until they saw fire trucks and police cars surrounding the plane after it landed safely. “I had my wife sitting next to me, and knew what the codes meant, and we knew they were not good. I would (rather not) know,” Baylor said.
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Expos-Phillies
MONTREAL: LHP Scott Downs, who has pitched only three innings since being acquired 22 months ago because of “Tommy John” surgery, will go to Triple-A Ottawa on Saturday to continue his rehab. He allowed three runs in nine innings in seven games with Class A Brevard. ... Troy O'Leary hit his first homer with the Expos in the first inning. ... 3B Fernando Tatis extended his hitting streak to seven games with a two-run homer in the first inning.
PHILADELPHIA: Manager Larry Bowa said allegations by Ken Caminiti that 50 percent of players in the majors use steroids were exaggerated. “If I had to guess, I'd say way less than 20 percent. There's no question guys use it, but a majority don't. Something has to be done about it.” Bowa, who was the third-base coach on the 1993 Phillies team that won the NL championship, said he suspected one player on that team used steroids, but doesn't know it for a fact. He wouldn't identify the player. ... RHP Robert Person, on the disabled list since April 30 because of tendinitis in his right elbow, will start against the Expos on Sunday. Person, a 15-game winner last season, is 0-3 with a 5.45 ERA in six starts this year. He was 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA in two rehab starts at Triple-A Scranton. ... Jeremy Giambi started again at first base in place of Travis Lee. Giambi, who homered in his first two at-bats with the Phillies, has started four of six games since arriving in a trade with Oakland last week.
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Braves-Reds
ATLANTA: RF Gary Sheffield was back in the lineup after missing seven straight starts because of a strained left hamstring. Sheffield also has missed games this season because of a sprained left wrist. He singled in his first at-bat against Chris Reitsma. ... 3B Vinny Castilla singled in his first at-bat, extending his hitting streak to eight games. ... The Braves' lineup posted in the Reds' clubhouse had an eye-catching typo. Atlanta's starting pitcher was listed as “MADDOX.” One of the team's broadcasters got a pen and fixed the spelling of Greg Maddux's name. It was a mistake, not a slight. “When I saw him pitch in '94, I said, 'That's one of the greats of all-time,”' Reds manager Bob Boone said. “I don't think he's the same as he was a few years ago, but he's still great. He had the finger dexterity to make the ball go left or right and he could hit a teacup. That's what it's all about.” ... LHP Tom Glavine, who will start Saturday, is 23-9 in 40 career starts against the Reds. He's been one of the most successful pitchers at Cinergy Field, going 15-4 with a 3.33 ERA in 22 games.
CINCINNATI: The Reds gave away 10,000 Johnny Bench bobblehead dolls. The Hall of Fame catcher got a standing ovation and flashbulbs went off when he walked to the mound for a ceremonial first pitch to catcher Jason LaRue. ... OF Austin Kearns was on the bench to make room for Ken Griffey Jr. in the lineup. The rookie was manager Bob Boone's choice to sit because he's in a slump and has a sore thumb. A 6-for-40 slide has dropped his average from .395 to .314. Kearns, 22, tore a ligament in his right thumb last year in the minors. It still bothers him and swelled up on the Reds' road trip. “He deals with it,” Boone said. “I've seen him enough that I know when it's bothering him more than normal.” Kearns said the thumb isn't to blame for his slump. “I'm used to it,” he said. “I've gone through it before.” ... Griffey walked and was caught trying to steal second base in the first inning. It was the first time this season that Griffey has tried to steal.
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Pirates-Cardinals
PITTSBURGH: The Pirates placed LHP Dave Williams on the 15-day disabled list and recalled RHP Bronson Arroyo from Triple-A Nashville. Arroyo, who is 7-13 career with a 5.68 ERA, will start Saturday against the Cardinals. ... OF Chad Hermansen had a cortisone shot for a sore right shoulder Thursday and could return to the lineup Saturday, depending on the effectiveness of the shot. He's 3-for-18 the last four games and in a 6-for-36 slump overall. ... 2B Pokey Reese, who's in a 2-for-18 slump, was out of the lineup with a chronic sore index finger.
ST. LOUIS: RHP Andy Benes did not report to extended spring training last week, as scheduled, and manager Tony La Russa said he's not certain why. “His knee is still an issue, that's what I'm guessing it is,” La Russa said. “He's always going to have problems with it. You deal with it, but at some point it finishes you.” Benes has an arthritic right knee and might retire. ... La Russa said LHP Bud Smith, demoted to Triple-A Memphis on May 15, isn't ready to rejoin the team. Smith no-hit the Padres last September but is 0-3 with a 9.68 ERA for the Cardinals this year. “He's better than he's been, but he isn't right on time yet.”
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Rockies-Giants
COLORADO: The clubhouse was quiet before the game as the players watched the Colorado Avalanche lose 7-0 in Game 7 of the NHL's Western Conference finals against Detroit. ... The Rockies came in 17-44 in San Francisco, their worst record in any NL city. ... LHP Mike Hampton, scheduled to start Saturday, is 0-5 with a 9.20 ERA on the road. He hasn't won a road game since Aug. 26, 2001, at Milwaukee.
SAN FRANCISCO: SS Rich Aurilia, on the disabled list because of bone chips in his right elbow, could be back sooner than expected. Aurilia had surgery May 22 to remove the chips, and was originally expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks. However, he was throwing three days after the operation and took batting practice before Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks. ... On Saturday, the Giants will host a 40th reunion celebration for the 1962 NL champions. Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Orlando Cepeda and Willie McCovey were on that team.
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Diamondbacks-Dodgers
ARIZONA: C Damian Miller, who missed the last game because of a sore hip flexor, was back in the lineup. ... Starting pitcher Randy Johnson gave up seven runs in five innings against the Dodgers five days earlier, but got a no-decision in Arizona's 10-9, 10-inning win in Phoenix. Johnson gave up three homers in that game, two to Marquis Grissom. ... The Diamondbacks, 17-10 in May, were trying to close out the month with another win that would match their previous high for May.
LOS ANGELES: 2B Mark Grudzielanek, limited to one pinch-hit appearance since injuring his left big toe last Sunday, was back in the lineup. Grudzielanek fouled a ball off the toe while he was taking batting practice Sunday. “He's maybe not 100 percent, but he's good enough to go,” manager Jim Tracy said. “We'll keep a close eye on him.” ... Closer Eric Gagne had 18 saves in 19 chances coming in, tops in the majors. When Todd Worrell set the club record with 44 saves in 1996, he got his 18th save in the team's 53rd game. Gagne earned his 18th in the 43rd game. ... Los Angeles had scored 85 runs in its last 13 games, an average of 6.5.
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Brewers-Padres
MILWAUKEE: The Brewers recalled RHP Chad Fox from his rehab assignment at Double-A Huntsville. Fox was placed on the DL on March 30 with a first-degree sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm. RHP Mike Buddie was designated for assignment. ... RHP Curtis Leskanic returned from his rehab assignment at Huntsville with discomfort in his arm. No determination has been made on when he will rejoin the team. ... The Brewers came in 2-16 in one-run games and 5-18 on the road.
SAN DIEGO: Phil Nevin was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 30, with a broken left arm. He was injured while diving for Todd Zeile's grounder Wednesday night. Nevin is likely to be out at least six weeks. ... The Padres purchased the contract of right-handed reliever Rodney Myers from Triple-A Portland. “Myers has a lot of resiliency, we think that he can help our club,” manager Bruce Bochy said. ... Rookie infielder Sean Burroughs, on the 15-day disabled list with a small tear in the cartilage around the right shoulder socket, will be out at least 3-to-4 weeks. Surgery is a possibility. ... RHP Brian Tollberg had an MRI exam on the ligament in his right elbow Thursday and continues to be evaluated. The extent of his injury is still being determined. ... Trevor Hoffman joins Colorado's Jose Jimenez as the only big league closers with at least 10 saves who have not yet blown a save opportunity. ... INF D'Angelo Jimenez started at third base for the first time with the Padres.
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Bibby red-faced as Kings fail to eliminate Lakers
Eastern champs finish strong
Lakers survive to reach Game 7
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Coming up this week
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Notes from Friday's games
