Saturday, June 08, 2002
Notes from Friday's games
The Associated Press
INTERLEAGUE
Braves-Rangers
BRAVES: Interleague play meant getting another bat into the lineup, and the designated hitter was Gary Sheffield. ... Although Atlanta was facing the Rangers for the first time, most hitters were familiar with the starting pitcher, former Dodgers right-hander Chan Ho Park. ... Tom Glavine (234-134) and Greg Maddux (263-148) are the first teammates to be 100 games over .500 for their careers in 94 years — since Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity did it with the New York Giants in 1908.
RANGERS: C Ivan Rodriguez was activated after being on the disabled list since April 15 because of a back problem. OF Rusty Greer went on the 15-day DL with back trouble of his own. ... Manager Jerry Narron said Rodriguez could get a day off as soon as Saturday or Sunday. ... Struggling closer Hideki Irabu continues to have back problems. If he has to go on the DL, a possible call-up candidate would be John Rocker. He'd pitched 7 2-3 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts for Triple-A Oklahoma through Thursday. ... As part of the team's 30th anniversary in Texas, the Rangers have been honoring players from their past. Opening-pitch honors went to former outfielder Pete Incaviglia.
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Phillies-Tigers
PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies juggled their rotation as a result of Thursday's rainout in Florida. Brandon Duckworth, who was scheduled to start against Marlins, will now start Sunday against Detroit, while Terry Adams will be pushed back to Monday in Cleveland. ... The Phillies are making their second trip to Detroit, but their first visit to Comerica Park. Philadelphia lost two of three at Tiger Stadium in August, 1997. Scott Rolen, Mike Lieberthal and Ricky Bottalico are the only players still on the team who saw action in that series. ... Philadelphia used Jeremy Giambi at DH. Giambi had started in right field and at first base since joining the Phillies on May 22 in a trade from Oakland.
DETROIT: Starting pitcher Mike Maroth joined the Tigers from Triple-A Toledo Friday, a day ahead of his scheduled major league debut. While he admits to being excited about his debut, he's also thinking about a possible interleague matchup next week with Randy Johnson in Arizona. “I haven't picked up a bat since high school, so the thought of having to hit against Randy has crossed my mind a few times,” he said. “I think I'll go up and close my eyes. When I hear the umpire say 'strike three', I'll go back to the dugout.” ... Maroth and Mark Redman give the Tigers two lefties in their rotation for the first time since Justin Thompson and Glenn Dishman in 1997. ... Detroit signed first-round pick Scott Moore, a high school shortstop from California.
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Padres-Devil Rays
SAN DIEGO: RHP Kevin Jarvis (right elbow strain), RHP Adam Eaton (right elbow) and LHP Kevin Walker (left elbow) all threw in simulated games. Jarvis, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 10, could return shortly. Both Eaton and Walker had ligament replacement surgery last August. ... Ron Gant was the designated hitter in the Padres' first road interleague game. Manager Bruce Bochy said others, including 1B Ryan Klesko, could also see time at DH. ... Bochy talked with three former San Diego players now with Tampa Bay — LF Greg Vaughn, C John Flaherty and SS Chris Gomez — during early batting practice. “It was good seeing all them,” Bochy said. “All three did a lot for the organization. It's strange seeing them in a different uniform.” ... RF Bubba Trammell, a fan favorite when he played for Tampa Bay, was greeted by his former rooting section known as the 142 Crew. The group is named for section 142, which is a seating area located in right field.
TAMPA BAY: Manager Hal McRae said he doesn't expect to hear from the commissioner's office after being ejected along with LHP Joe Kennedy in Thursday's game at Toronto. The pair were tossed after Kennedy threw a pitch over Ken Huckaby's head. Earlier in the game, both teams were warned after Toronto's Luke Prokopec hit Aubrey Huff in the helmet. “Our guy got hit in the head,” McRae said. “If anyone should get a call from the commissioner's office, it should be Toronto.” ... LF Greg Vaughn returned after missing Thursday's game with a stiff neck. Vaughn, who came in hitting .141 — the lowest average among major league regulars — batted second for the second time this season. “I'm mainly trying to get him hot,” McRae said. “Plus, he does get base on balls.” ... CF Randy Winn hit leadoff and will be given a shot to fill the spot fulltime.
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Giants-Yankees
SAN FRANCISCO: While Barry Bonds made his first visit to Yankee Stadium, several Giants had ties to the Bronx. 1B J.T. Snow made his major league debut with the Yankees in 1992, pitching coach Dave Righetti threw a no-hitter for New York at the stadium in 1983 and manager Dusty Baker played at the park for Los Angeles in the 1977, 1978 and 1981 World Series. ... Baker and Yankees manager Joe Torre, who both have had surgery for prostate cancer, are set to film a public service announcement at the stadium Saturday. Former teammates in Atlanta, Baker credits Torre with helping him to adjust to big league life as a rookie. “As a 19-year-old, Joe was one of the guys who made me feel welcome,” Baker said. Before Baker's surgery last December, Torre called and talked him through the procedure, and they've kept in touch since. “We're all brothers in this,” Torre said.
NEW YORK: LHP David Wells, bothered by back problems lately, seems to be feeling fine and is scheduled to pitch Monday against Arizona. At worst, manager Joe Torre said, Wells would be ready Tuesday to face the Diamondbacks. ... LHP Andy Pettitte, on the disabled list with an elbow problem, was scheduled to make a rehabilitation start Friday night for Double-A Norwich. If he's OK to come off the DL, Torre said Pettitte's return could “impact the Mets series, one way or another.” The Yankees play a three-game set at Shea Stadium starting next Friday night.
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Rockies-Blue Jays
COLORADO: Manager Clint Hurdle said he wants to get struggling 2B Jose Ortiz going, but that prospect Brent Butler will get a chance soon. “Brent Butler's days are coming where he's going to get an opportunity to play,” Hurdle said. “That situation could happen this year sometime, but right now we're trying to jump start our second baseman Jose Ortiz. We want to see the player that we saw last year.” Ortiz hit .255 with 13 home runs and 35 RBIs last season. He's hitting .237 with one home run and nine RBIs this year. “It's important for him to bring a bit more energy on the field and in the dugout. He's aware of it,” Hurdle said. ... Hurdle made Benny Agbayani the DH because of his numbers against starter Roy Halladay (4-for-8 with two home runs). “He's got good numbers against this guy and he's hot,” Hurdle said. Hurdle said he'll make RF Larry Walker the DH for most of the interleague games. ... Walker, who is Canadian, played his first game in Toronto. Walker will receive the Tip O'Neill award Saturday. The award goes to the top Canadian baseball player every year. Walker will share the award with Minnesota's Corey Koskie. “I'm proud of where I'm from and what I've accomplished,” Walker said. He still considers hockey his favorite sport. “It's still the greatest game in the world and I do everything I can to watch it,” said Walker, who watched Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant in Toronto. Walker, a goalie when he played, said he quit hockey after he was told to play in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. “It was a beat-up old place and I wasn't about to live there. I packed it up and left and played baseball.”
TORONTO: The Blue Jays signed first-round draft pick Russ Adams, the 14th overall selection. Adams hit .370 with seven home runs and 55 RBIs in 63 games for North Carolina this past season. He worked out with the Blue Jays before Friday's game. RF Raul Mondesi got him with a shaving cream pie in the face. ... Manager Carlos Tosca was glad Colorado starter Mike Hampton didn't have a chance to hit because of the DH. Hampton is batting .370 this year. ... The Blue Jays hired Bruce Walton as their bullpen coach. Walton replaces Gil Patterson, who became the pitching coach when Mark Connor decided to leave the team Wednesday, two days after manager Buck Martinez was fired. Walton had been serving as Toronto's roving minor league pitching instructor, a position he'd held since 1998.
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Dodgers-Orioles
LOS ANGELES: Manager Jim Tracy said pitcher Kevin Brown was released from the hospital Friday. Brown (2-3) was hospitalized Monday with severe pain from disc problems in his back. He is on the disabled list with soreness in his elbow, which was operated on last year. Tracy said he hoped to talk to Brown by Saturday but wasn't too worried about the back problems. “The elbow has always been a major concern of mine ... and that's where my focus will remain,” Tracy said. The manager also added that the swelling in Brown's elbow is “pretty much gone.” ... The Dodgers have several people who were with the Orioles earlier in their career. Jeff Reboulet and Jesse Orosco played for Baltimore, as did first-base coach John Shelby. Reboulet called Camden Yards “my favorite place to play.” Orosco, still going strong at 45, said, “It's great to be back. I just know that they've got outstanding fans here.” ... Brian Jordan is from Baltimore, having been a multisport star at Milford Mill High School in the 1980s. ... This is the first time the teams have met since the Orioles swept the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series. ... Tracy said that managing a National League game is a bit tougher than an AL contest because “there are a lot more variables that come into play. But I like managing, period.”
BALTIMORE: The Orioles placed right-hander Calvin Maduro on the 15-day disabled list and activated pitcher Jason Johnson, who will start Saturday against the Dodgers. Maduro has a fractured bone spur and bone chips in his right elbow. He must decide whether to rest for three weeks or undergo surgery and be out 6-to-8 weeks. ... Johnson, on the DL since April 25 with a broken middle finger, will be on a pitch count of 80. ... Facing teams from the NL West has added a little spice to interleague play for the Orioles, who welcome the change from the usual diet of NL East teams. “Those are some tough teams right there, but it's exciting, too,” SS Mike Bordick said. “I think that type of stuff spices things up for the game.”
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Astros-Athletics
HOUSTON: 2B Craig Biggio came in with the third-highest career interleague batting average at .360. He trails only Mike Piazza and Edgar Martinez. ... With the new interleague format, the Astros are playing AL West teams, with the exception of Anaheim. ... Houston entered leading the majors with a .286 batting average by pinch-hitters. ... RHP Shane Reynolds, set to start Saturday against the Athletics, lost both of his interleague starts last year, at Minnesota and Cleveland. Overall, Reynolds is 3-9 with a 5.36 ERA in interleague play.
OAKLAND: Manager Art Howe faced his former team for the first time. Howe played for the Astros, then managed them from 1989-93. While revenge wasn't really on his mind, he was looking forward to seeing his former club. “I know most of them pretty well,” said Howe, who still lives in Houston during the offseason. “I might be the only one who likes their old rainbow uniforms.” ... Howe, like his cross-bay counterpart, Giants manager Dusty Baker, isn't a huge fan of interleague play. He said a poor showing could possibly cost the team the wild card. “I agree with Dusty on this, we should just be playing in our own leagues,” he said. “There's no reason for this.”
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Cubs-Mariners
CHICAGO: Reliever Carlos Zambrano was activated from the 15-day DL after missing the past four weeks with a strained right elbow. Zambrano takes the place of reliever Pat Mahomes, who was sent to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Zambrano, a 21-year-old rookie, was injured May 9 against Milwaukee. He has no record and a 3.27 ERA in 11 games this season. ... Cubs star Sammy Sosa first saw Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki when he was on an All-Star tour in Japan. “He's the man,” Sosa said. “As soon as I saw this guy, I knew he was a great player.” Sosa was asked if he thought Suzuki, who came in hitting .384, had a chance to hit .400. “He doesn't strike out much,” Sosa said. “He has a chance. The way he's been doing it, I wouldn't be surprised.”
SEATTLE: SS Carlos Guillen, hit in the left ring finger while attempting to bunt in a game at Baltimore on May 31, missed his seventh straight game. His finger was not broken, but was badly swollen. A switch-hitter, Guillen took batting practice from the left side. “It's going to be a few more days,” manager Lou Piniella said. “He can hit, but he still can't throw.” With Guillen out, Desi Relaford has been playing shortstop for the Mariners. ... The Mariners hope to bring DH Edgar Martinez off the 60-day DL next Friday night in San Diego. Martinez, 39, has been sidelined since April 11 when he ruptured a tendon behind his left knee in Anaheim. He had surgery two days later to remove the tendon. The Mariners plan to send Martinez to Peoria, Ariz., for a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday through Thursday. ... OF Chris Snelling, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Tuesday night at Oakland, is scheduled to have surgery at the end of next week. He is on the 60-day DL.
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Marlins-Twins
FLORIDA: The Marlins lead the majors in interleague play, at 51-33 over five years. They also have the second-best ERA (3.97). ... Florida juggled its starting pitchers for the remaining two games of the series, with RHP Kevin Olsen starting Saturday and RHP Julian Tavarez starting Sunday. ... LF Kevin Millar took his 17-game hitting streak back to the Twin Cities, where he last played as a member of the Northern League's St. Paul Saints in 1993. ... Marlins bench coach Rick Renick was a coach on the 1987 World Series champion Twins.
MINNESOTA: Like the Marlins, the Twins have adjusted their starting rotation because of injuries. LHP Johan Santana became the team's eighth starting pitcher this season. Santana, who started four games last year, was selected by Florida in the 1999 draft, and Minnesota acquired him in a swap of minor leaguers in December 1999. ... RHP Brad Radke continues rehabilitation from a pulled groin, which he reinjured May 30. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said, “We're going to take him slower than we did last time. There's an old saying, 'Once they tell you they're ready, give them a few more days.”' ... The Twins are 40-44 in five years of interleague play.
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Diamondbacks-Red Sox
ARIZONA: Curt Schilling faces Pedro Martinez on Saturday. ... Although Arizona has never visited Fenway Park before, 15 Diamondbacks have. Schilling, who was originally drafted by the Red Sox before playing with Baltimore and Philadelphia, has pitched here in five games, with an 0-2 record and 7.50 ERA. ... The Diamondbacks have the best record in the NL and Boston has baseball's best mark.
BOSTON: Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, who's been on the disabled list for a month with a broken finger, did not return to Boston for an examination on Friday because he missed his flight from Florida. “I heard the weather was kind of messed up. Probably he was kind of messed up, too,” manager Grady Little joked before Boston's game against Arizona. He is not expected to be activated for several weeks. He was hurt May 5 when he slid headfirst into home plate and hit his left hand on Seattle catcher Dan Wilson's shinguard. ... Arizona won the World Series in its fourth season, but Boston won it in its third. It was in 1903, and the team was known as the Pilgrims. ... The Red Sox sold 21,000 tickets at $10 each for fans to play catch on the Fenway Park field on Father's Day. The event sold out in a day and a half.
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Mets-Indians
NEW YORK: OF Jeromy Burnitz was not in the lineup for the second straight game as he tries to battle his way out of a season-long hitting slump. Burnitz entered the weekend batting .198 and just .111 on the Mets' current 13-game road trip. “This is not what I've been trying to do, I'll tell you that,” Burnitz said. “But I've been in 0-fers before and all of a sudden hit two or three homers in two games. I know how quick it can change and that's what I'm focusing on.” Manager Bobby Valentine said Burntiz may not return to the lineup until Sunday when the Mets face rookie RHP Ryan Drese. Valentine doesn't want Burnitz, a left-handed hitter, to lose any confidence against LHP Chuck Finley on Saturday. ... C Mike Piazza was the Mets' DH for Friday's interleague game. Piazza left Friday's game in Atlanta in the fifth inning when he became light-headed in the heat at Turner Field. Valentine said Piazza told him he was OK to play and will likely catch on Saturday.
CLEVELAND: The Indians finally gave up on free-swinging OF-3B Russell Branyan on Friday, trading him to the Cincinnati Reds for minor league 1B Ben Broussard. Branyan had struck out 65 times in 50 games, and with their offense struggling, the Indians ran out of patience with Branyan. “His inconsistencies were magnified by the inconsistency of our offense,” Indians GM Mark Shapiro said. “We couldn't wait any longer for him to develop.” ... Broussard was sent to Triple-A Buffalo and the Indians purchased the contract of OF Chad Allen from the Bisons. Allen started in left field for the Indians on Friday night. Last season with Minnesota, Allen suffered a season-ending knee injury at Jacobs Field while playing right field. ... RHP Bartolo Colon's .615 winning percentage is sixth on the Indians' career list among pitchers with more than 1,000 innings. Colon trails Addie Joss (.623), Wes Ferrell (.622), Bob Feller (.621), Bob Lemon (.618) and Early Wynn (.617). Four of the five ahead of Colon are in the Hall of Fame.
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Expos-White Sox
MONTREAL: On Thursday the Expos transferred RHP Troy Mattes from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list. Mattes has been sidelined since March 22 with right shoulder tendinitis. He had the surgery performed on his right shoulder May 21 by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. He is expected to miss the rest of the season. Mattes has missed all 60 games this season. Last year, Mattes was 3-3 with a 6.00 ERA in eight starts with the Expos. ... Since starting the season as manager, Frank Robinson does not believe that his team has reached their potential. “The good thing about it is I don't think we have played the way we are capable of playing yet.” Robinson said the team's goals focuses on winning the division. “We know that this division will be close all year long,” said Robinson. “I think if we play the way we are capable of playing we will be right in the thick of it.” ... Robinson likes interleague play, but he doesn't think that the current format is a good one. “You only play the teams that the other teams in your division play. It is not true interleague play,” he said.
CHICAGO: The White Sox have lost nine of their last 11 games before Friday's game. Frank Thomas is hoping that they can start hitting again. “It is one of those things that you look back and say I should have done this, I should have done that,” said Thomas. “We just got to make a total effort to get everything back. Hitting is very contagious once one guy gets on a roll, another guy gets on a roll and it will start working like that.” ... Manager Jerry Manuel, third base coach Wallace Johnson and pitching coach Nardi Contreras all have connections with the Expos organization. Manuel played 34 games with Montreal in 1980-81 and spent 11 seasons as a coach in the Expos system, including 1991-96 as third base coach under Felipe Alou. Johnson played 10 seasons with the Expos through 1981-1990. Contreras worked as a minor league pitching coach with the Expos for six seasons from 1988-1993. ... Jose Valentin is making his first start at shortstop Friday night. He is replacing Royce Clayton who was benched indefinitely on Monday. Valentin has been taking ground balls at shortstop throughout the week during batting practice in preparation for his switch to shortstop from third base. Utility infielder Tony Graffanino has been playing every day since Clayton was benched. Graffanino is starting at third base Friday night. Graffanino is better known for his bat than his glove. “He is still going to have his problems (in the field). We are hoping that he will get comfortable there (third base),” said Manuel. Graffanino is batting .301 with three home runs and 17 RBIs.
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Cardinals-Royals
ST. LOUIS: Outfielder Jim Edmonds, who injured his right wrist in a May 31 slide, was not in the starting lineup Friday for the fifth straight game. A decision could be made no later than Monday whether to put Edmonds on the disabled list if he does not improve. ... Right-hander Andy Benes, who is on the 60-day diabled list, is scheduled to join Triple-A Memphis on Monday in New Orleans to begin an injury rehab assignment. ... Matt Morris, who starts Saturday at Kansas City, has won just one of his past four starts since shutting out the Chicago Cubs on May 13.
KANSAS CITY: Right fielder Mark Quinn injured his right leg while chasing Albert Pujols' double in the first inning. Rookie Brandon Berger, who was just called up Thursday from Triple-A Omaha, went to left field in the second, while Michael Tucker moved from right to left. ... Second baseman Carlos Febles was a late scratch from the lineup with a lower back strain. He was replaced by Luis Alicea. ...Closer Roberto Hernandez, who has 304 saves, received a Rolaids trophy before the game as the 15th member of the 300-save club. ...Trainer Nick Swartz said reliever Jason Grimsley, who went on the disabled list Wednesday with a strained left oblique under his rib cage, could be out “anywhere from two to three weeks, or from four to six weeks. There is not a lot of in-between areas,” Swartz said. “It all depends on the extent of the injury.”
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Reds-Angels
CINCINNATI: The Reds acquired 3B-OF Russell Branyan from Cleveland for minor league 1B Ben Broussard. Reds manager Bob Boone said he planned to use Branyan off the bench as a pinch-hitter and as insurance at third base and shortstop. Branyan, 26, hit 20 home runs last year in 113 games and had eight home runs and 17 RBIs in 50 games this year with 65 strikeouts. Asked about Branyan's high strikeout ratio, Boone said, “Sometimes I don't care about a strikeout when pinch-hitting in the sixth inning, but I really like the home run.” ... To make room for Branyan, the Reds placed RHP Jose Rijo on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 2, with shoulder stiffness. ... It was a homecoming of sorts for Boone, who holds the Angels record for games caught with 961 and maintains a home in nearby Villa Park, Calif. When asked what the best thing was about playing the Angels in interleague play, Boone said, “I get to sleep in my own bed.” ... Adam Dunn got the start at designated hitter. Boone said he might use Ken Griffey Jr. at DH during the series.
ANAHEIM: OF Tim Salmon did not start due to tightness in his right hamstring. “We'll keep him out today and see how it goes. We'll put him back in either (Saturday) or Sunday. He'll be available to pinch-hit,” manager Mike Scioscia said. OF Orlando Palmeiro started in Salmon's place. ... RHP Kevin Appier experienced tightness in his right forearm Thursday when he allowed seven runs, four earned, in 2 2-3 innings of a 9-8 loss to Texas. Scioscia didn't think Appier would miss a start but noted, “It affected his execution on some pitches. It's something he's had touches of this season, but not as bad as last night.” ... The Angels got a scare Thursday night when 3B Troy Glaus moved to shortstop in the ninth inning and was upended by Calvin Murray on a double-play pivot. Glaus was not hurt and started at third base Friday.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
Brewers-Pirates
MILWAUKEE: It is unlikely the Brewers will have more than one player on the National League All-Star team and 1B Richie Sexson is the likely choice. Still, Manager Jerry Royster thinks SS Jose Hernandez is worthy of consideration. “This guy is amazing,” Royster said. Hernandez took a .289 average with 10 homers and 28 RBIs into Friday's game at Pittsburgh. ... The Brewers placed utility IF Luis Lopez on waivers for his unconditional release. ... Milwaukee is trying to win three consecutive series for the first time since April 24-May 3, 2001.
PITTSBURGH: Since winning six straight games from April 15-21, the Pirates have won consecutive games only twice. ... 2B Pokey Reese returned to the Pirates lineup after missing the series in Montreal. Reese had returned to South Carolina for a child custody hearing. ... The last time the Pirates and Brewers met was in Milwaukee from April 15-17. The Pirates swept that three-game series and led the NL Central by a half game. Since then, the Brewers changed managers and the Pirates have fallen to third place, 7 1/2 games behind Cincinnati.
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Notes from Friday's games
