what a crazy night in bases tonight.
cincy scores 9 runs in the 8th and 9th runs, and wins the game with a walk-off grand slam.
st.louis continues there free fall by losing to the Royals
Marlins cool off Red Sox, breaking there double digit winning streak.
Notes from Friday's games
June 30, 2006
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The White Sox are now 6-1 in NL parks this season, 13-3 in interleague play and have scored 121 runs against NL opponents. ... Paul Konerko stole his first base since April 5, 2004. It was the fifth career stolen base of his career. ... Juan Uribe now has seven multihit efforts in his last 14 games to go with five homers and 19 RBIs. Uribe credits batting coach Greg Walker with changing his stance and helping him shake a two-month slump. He has raised his average to .241 after batting .167 in April and .237 in May. ... Pablo Ozuna, who extended his career-best hitting streak to 11 games with a leadoff single in the first, is day to day after straining his left hamstring running to third in the opening inning. ... C A.J. Pierzynski said he wasn't bothered by all the boos sent his way by Cubs fans because there were so many White Sox fans at Wrigley Field it balanced it out a bit. ``I thought it was about 50-50,'' Pierzynski said. ``I got a standing ovation when I came up to hit. That was kinda nice.'' ... Jon Garland is now 3-4 against the Cubs, the team that drafted him in the first round in 1997. He was traded to the White Sox in midseason 1998.
CHICAGO CUBS: The Cubs were just 1-10 at Wrigley Field in June. It's the first time they've had just one home win in a month where they played at least 10 home games. ... Manager Dusty Baker said he didn't come out to argue a key play in the seventh inning because he couldn't see it. Juan Pierre was called out at the plate on a throw from White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko. Pierre slid and was close to getting in with his arm. He said he thought he got in under the tag on a play that would have gotten the Cubs within a run. ``I couldn't even see the play,'' Baker said. ``From where I was, I couldn't tell if he was out or safe. That's why I didn't come out and argue the play.'' ... Returning from his 10-game suspension, C Michael Barrett played his first game since June 15. Before the suspension, he was sidelined with a sore back. He's glad to be back but as disappointed as anyone with the Cubs' dismal 29-50 record. ``It's tough to deal with at times,'' Barrett said after going 1-for-4. ... The Cubs stranded nine runners. They are now 3-10 in interleague play.
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DETROIT: RF Magglio Ordonez, pulled from Wednesday's game against Houston shortly after fouling a pitch off his left shin, returned to the lineup Friday in Pittsburgh. ... Manager Jim Leyland has seen an estimated 300 games in PNC Park as a scout, but managed there for the first time Friday. He expects a hectic weekend, with brothers and sisters staying at his Pittsburgh home. Wife Katie also had a small gathering for friends and family following Friday night's game. ``It's all nice, it's great when it's happening, but it's great when it's over,'' he said. ``It's time consuming.''
PITTSBURGH: 3B Freddy Sanchez, whose game-ending homer in the ninth inning Thursday against the White Sox stopped the Pirates' 13-game losing streak, did not start Friday because of back spasms. The injury isn't believed to be serious. ... Also held out was OF-1B Craig Wilson, still bothered by a bruised left elbow. ... LHP Tom Gorzelanny will make his second career start Saturday night against the Tigers. He lost to Houston's Andy Pettitte, 7-4, in his major league debut Sept. 20, allowing five runs in 4 1-3 innings. This season, he was 6-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 16 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis before being recalled to replace Oliver Perez, who was demoted to the bullpen.
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NEW YORK METS: Regular C Paul Lo Duca (bruised left thumb) was the DH. ``I haven't been healthy for six years,'' he said, half-joking. Ramon Castro started behind the plate and batted ninth. ... Third base coach Manny Acta flew back to the Dominican Republic after the sudden death of his brother. Sandy Alomar coached third in place of Acta, expected to rejoin the team in time for Sunday night's game. ... 1B Carlos Delgado sat out for the second straight game with an ailing ribcage. ``It's a little better than yesterday. I went down to the batting cage and took a few swings about 50 percent, 60 percent, and I was feeling it,'' Delgado said. ``I don't anticipate anything really, really bad.'' Julio Franco started at 1B. ... RF Xavier Nady missed his third consecutive start because of a sore right wrist - where he was hit by a pitch recently. A CT scan showed a small, non-displaced fracture, but Nady was told he can play through it as long as he can tolerate the pain. He is day to day. ... LF Cliff Floyd (sprained ankle) was activated from the DL and OF Lastings Milledge was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. ``Thinking is the key,'' Milledge said. ``At the major league level they have more experience, so when I go down there I've got to think like a major leaguer and I've got to outthink my opponent.''
NEW YORK YANKEES: The Bronx Bombers began the day four games behind first-place Boston in the AL East, their largest deficit of the season. ... Jason Giambi homered off ex-Yankee Orlando Hernandez in the first inning, his 11th homer in June. ... 2B Robinson Cano (strained left hamstring) took batting practice and grounders but will not come off the DL until after the All-Star break. ... Injured RHP Carl Pavano might be able to start throwing off a mound again within a week.
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TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon said he was pleased with the reinstatement of former first-round draft choice Josh Hamilton, who had been suspended since 2004 for drug use. Hamilton, who has not played since 2002 because of injuries and personal problems, will join Single-A Hudson Valley next week. ``It's a great day for him personally,'' Maddon said. ``Of course, I know it's baseball, but we'd like to see him grow as a person again, to become settled in with his family.'' ... RHP Jae Seo, acquired with C Dioner Navarro in the deal that sent LHP Mark Hendrickson and C Toby Hall to the Dodgers, will make his first start with the Devil Rays on Sunday afternoon. RHP James Shields will start Saturday, and LHP Scott Kazmir is expected to go Monday at home against Boston. Seo appeared in relief in Wednesday's game against Florida. ... 3B Aubrey Huff entered the game with the third-best average in the majors during interleague play. He was 23-for-52 (.442) heading into the game.
WASHINGTON: A day after leaving his start with ``dead arm,'' right-hander John Patterson said he is planning on making his next scheduled start Tuesday against Florida. Patterson said he had numbness in his arm during and after his start Thursday at Toronto, which lasted three innings in an 8-4 loss to the Blue Jays. It was Patterson's second start since being disabled for two months with a right forearm strain. ``Hopefully it rebounds,'' Patterson said. ``I don't see why I can't make my next start.'' ... Incoming team president Stan Kasten announced that the team would retain general manager Jim Bowden when the new ownership group, headed by Theodore Lerner, takes over the team. Bowden has been with the team since November 2004. Kasten said that a strong draft headed by Bowden reaffirmed his trust in Bowden. ``I came in believing this was the course I was going to take,'' Kasten said. ``This is what I always thought I was going to do. People close to me will tell you I have been talking about this for a long while.'' ... The Nationals signed second-round draft pick Stephen Englund, 18, a center fielder from Bellevue, Wash. Englund will report to the Gulf Coast League Nationals next week.
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PHILADELPHIA: RHP Jon Lieber will make his third rehab start on Saturday for Class-A Clearwater. Lieber has missed the last month with a strained left groin. ... The Phillies optioned RHP Chris Condrey to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday to make room on the roster for LHP Fabio Castro. The Phillies acquired Castro from the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Condrey went 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 16 games.
TORONTO: Manager John Gibbons had DH/RF Eric Hinske bat leadoff for the first time this season. Normal leadoff hitter Alex Rios remained in the hospital Friday because of a serious infection in his lower left leg. Gibbons likes the way his lineup sets up so he didn't want to mess with it. ... 2B Russ Adams entered Friday's game hitting just .233, but Gibbons says he's played well at his new position. The Blue Jays sent Adams down earlier this year after he struggled to make throws at SS.
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CLEVELAND: With Eduardo Perez traded to Seattle, manager Eric Wedge plans to use several players at first base, including catcher Victor Martinez. ``Right now, he's still our catcher,'' Wedge said. ``I want to be clear on that. First base is an option for him. Right now, he's still our front-line catcher.'' ... The Indians gave themselves another option - for a few days, anyway - by calling up first baseman/catcher Ryan Garko from Triple-A Buffalo. ... OF Jason Michaels (sprained ankle) is eligible to come off the 15-day DL on Saturday. He worked out Friday, and is expected to begin a brief rehab stint soon. ... RHP Matt Miller, who had elbow surgery on April 26, could start a throwing program over the All-Star break. If all goes well, there's a chance he could be back in the bullpen in late August or September. ... OF Grady Sizemore extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a fourth-inning RBI double.
CINCINNATI: LHP Chris Hammond was designated for assignment, a day after he retired only one of the four batters he faced and gave up three runs in relief. Hammond was 1-1 in 29 appearances with a 6.91 ERA. ... The Reds called up LHP Brian Shackelford from Triple-A Louisville. Shackelford also was with the Reds from April 20 to May 30, going 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 relief appearances. He and Kent Mercker are the left-handers in the bullpen. ... Manager Jerry Narron said more changes are coming if the bullpen doesn't improve. Reds relievers lead the NL in earned run average (5.18) and homers allowed (39). ``We're begging for somebody to come out of the bullpen and pitch well,'' Narron said.
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BOSTON: DH David Ortiz wasn't in Friday's lineup at Florida, partly because the Red Sox faced LHP Dontrelle Willis and partly because Ortiz simply needed a rest. ``Seems like the night to do it,'' manager Terry Francona said. ... Francona, who said Thursday he wanted LF Manny Ramirez to skip the All-Star game and rest his right knee, also wouldn't mind if RHP Curt Schilling didn't play in the game. Schilling is scheduled to start for Boston on July 9 at the White Sox. ... LHP David Wells (knee), who will rejoin the Red Sox when they visit Tampa Bay next week, has resumed ``very light'' throwing, Boston GM Theo Epstein said. ... RHP Matt Clement threw a side session Friday and could begin his rehab at Fort Myers of the Gulf Coast League next week.
FLORIDA: 2B Dan Uggla made his first start since June 20. He'd been out with a sore hamstring. ``Feels good,'' Uggla said. ... Manager Joe Girardi sounds like he expects 3B Miguel Cabrera to represent the Marlins at the All-Star game, but hopes that Uggla - who entered Friday with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs and a .312 average - merits consideration, too. ``I hope his numbers are not overlooked,'' Girardi said. ... RHP Anibal Sanchez, who threw 5 2-3 innings of shutout ball in his winning debut at Yankee Stadium last Sunday, gets his next start Wednesday at Washington. ... Several Marlins had various vintage replica jerseys in their lockers Friday, including Michael Jordan's Birmingham Barons top, a Wes Unseld jersey from his NBA days, and a Joe Namath jersey in New York Jets' green.
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BALTIMORE: SS Miguel Tejada is scheduled to play in his 1,000th consecutive game Saturday night. He has the longest active streak in the majors. ... RHP Russ Ortiz, released by Arizona and signed by Baltimore on Sunday, will make his debut with the Orioles on Saturday night. Ortiz was 0-5 with a 7.54 ERA with Arizona this year. ``He's got to pitch good to hold his position,'' manager Sam Perlozzo said. ``He knows that. I hope he's good enough to stay in that spot all year.''
ATLANTA: RHP Chris Reitsma was activated from the 15-day DL after missing 17 days with a condition that caused numbness in the fingers on his pitching hand. Reitsma returns with a 9.11 ERA after giving up seven hits and five runs while recording only two outs at Houston in his last appearance on June 11. ... To clear a roster spot for Reitsma, rookie RHP Kevin Barry was sent back to Triple-A Richmond. Barry appeared in one game, giving up only two hits and one walk in three shutout innings against the Yankees on Monday. ``He only got one outing but he sure looked good,'' Braves manager Bobby Cox said. ``We're not going to forget about him, that's for sure. He turned into a pitcher.''
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KANSAS CITY: LF Reggie Sanders and 2B Mark Grudzielanek played in St. Louis for the first time since leaving for free agent deals after last season. Sanders took note of the Cardinals' eight-game losing streak, which ended Wednesday. ``The beauty of what they're going through, they're still in first place,'' Sanders said. Sanders had a diplomatic smile and ``no comment'' about the team's apparent lack of interest in re-signing him after last season. ... Grudzielanek remains disappointed about the Cardinals' refusal to negotiate with him after last season, and with the fact he didn't win a Gold Glove at 2B last year after being part of a tandem that led the major leagues in double plays. Of leaving town, he noted that the Cardinals gave him only a $1 million contract last season. ``I dealt with them the year before and it was the same spiel,'' Grudzielanek said.
ST. LOUIS: OF Jim Edmonds was in the second slot in the lineup for the second straight game, and could be there, at least against right-handers, for a while. ``Three times he hit the ball hard,'' manager Tony La Russa said. ``It depends on the left-hander, depends on how he's swinging.'' ... Backup C Gary Bennett, who strained a left side muscle earlier in the week, remained available for emergency duty. La Russa said Bennett probably would get a start during the three-game interleague series against the Royals this weekend. ... La Russa avoids sports talk radio when he's in his car. Instead, he listens to a comedy channel on satellite radio. ``The greatest thing that's been developed,'' he said. ``That's all I listen to.'' ... The Cardinals signed first-round sandwich draft pick Chris Perez, a RHP, and second-rounder Jonathan Jay, an OF.
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MILWAUKEE: Infielder Bill Hall, who is 5-for-21 with only three RBIs through the first seven games of this road trip, was given a rest Friday and could get another day off Saturday. ``He's been striking out a lot lately, and that's a kind of a sign where they're starting to drag a little bit,'' manager Ned Yost said. ... Hall, who also plays third base and second base, has been the regular shortstop since J.J. Hardy sprained his ankle in mid-May. Yost didn't sound pleased by Hardy's slow recovery. ``J.J.'s still working at it,'' Yost said. ... LHP Jorge De La Rosa, on the DL for nearly three weeks with a finger blister, made a successful rehab start Thursday night for Double-A Huntsville and will make at least one more, on Monday. ``He threw very, very well,'' Yost said.
MINNESOTA: OF Shannon Stewart returned from the DL, but he wasn't in Friday's lineup. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he'd play Saturday, but likely as the DH and in the bottom third of the order. Rookie Jason Kubel has done well in left field, and though 2B Luis Castillo - who took over Stewart's customary leadoff spot - is in a slump, Gardenhire didn't want to change anything in the lineup with the Twins winning. The two talked before the game. Stewart didn't appear happy about the prospect of losing the leadoff spot. ``Every time I've come back from rehab, I've hit where I'm supposed to hit, but that's fine,'' he said. ... Insisting that he wasn't lobbying White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen for it, Gardenhire made his pitch for LHP Johan Santana to be the AL's starter in the All-Star game. ``If it were up to me, I couldn't think of a better person to start,'' he said.
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HOUSTON: Craig Biggio, who has a sore right shoulder, was the DH for the Astros again Friday. Manager Phil Garner said Biggio wouldn't play Saturday, a day game, but would DH again Sunday. ... RHP Brandon Backe said his arm felt good Friday, a day after throwing 55 pitches in three innings in his first rehab start. Backe, on the DL since April 14 with a sprained ligament in his right elbow, allowed five runs and five hits for Triple-A Round Rock in a loss to Oklahoma. ``I was just excited to get back out there after three months of sitting around and wondering if I'd get to pitch again this year,'' he said. He's scheduled to pitch again Tuesday.
TEXAS: RHP Rick Bauer could be headed to the DL following a hemorrhoid procedure Friday. Manager Buck Showalter said Bauer was in pain and not available to pitch. Bauer's spot on the pitching staff could be taken by RHP John Wasdin, who's on the DL with a sprained right thumb but was scheduled to pitch Saturday. ... LHP Brian Anderson will have another ligament replacement surgery July 14. Anderson was trying to come back from similar surgery last July 21 but suffered a recent setback during his rehab program. ... RHP Adam Eaton will have a 30-pitch simulated game stint on Sunday. He could start a minor league assignment Thursday.
cincy scores 9 runs in the 8th and 9th runs, and wins the game with a walk-off grand slam.
st.louis continues there free fall by losing to the Royals
Marlins cool off Red Sox, breaking there double digit winning streak.
Notes from Friday's games
June 30, 2006
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The White Sox are now 6-1 in NL parks this season, 13-3 in interleague play and have scored 121 runs against NL opponents. ... Paul Konerko stole his first base since April 5, 2004. It was the fifth career stolen base of his career. ... Juan Uribe now has seven multihit efforts in his last 14 games to go with five homers and 19 RBIs. Uribe credits batting coach Greg Walker with changing his stance and helping him shake a two-month slump. He has raised his average to .241 after batting .167 in April and .237 in May. ... Pablo Ozuna, who extended his career-best hitting streak to 11 games with a leadoff single in the first, is day to day after straining his left hamstring running to third in the opening inning. ... C A.J. Pierzynski said he wasn't bothered by all the boos sent his way by Cubs fans because there were so many White Sox fans at Wrigley Field it balanced it out a bit. ``I thought it was about 50-50,'' Pierzynski said. ``I got a standing ovation when I came up to hit. That was kinda nice.'' ... Jon Garland is now 3-4 against the Cubs, the team that drafted him in the first round in 1997. He was traded to the White Sox in midseason 1998.
CHICAGO CUBS: The Cubs were just 1-10 at Wrigley Field in June. It's the first time they've had just one home win in a month where they played at least 10 home games. ... Manager Dusty Baker said he didn't come out to argue a key play in the seventh inning because he couldn't see it. Juan Pierre was called out at the plate on a throw from White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko. Pierre slid and was close to getting in with his arm. He said he thought he got in under the tag on a play that would have gotten the Cubs within a run. ``I couldn't even see the play,'' Baker said. ``From where I was, I couldn't tell if he was out or safe. That's why I didn't come out and argue the play.'' ... Returning from his 10-game suspension, C Michael Barrett played his first game since June 15. Before the suspension, he was sidelined with a sore back. He's glad to be back but as disappointed as anyone with the Cubs' dismal 29-50 record. ``It's tough to deal with at times,'' Barrett said after going 1-for-4. ... The Cubs stranded nine runners. They are now 3-10 in interleague play.
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DETROIT: RF Magglio Ordonez, pulled from Wednesday's game against Houston shortly after fouling a pitch off his left shin, returned to the lineup Friday in Pittsburgh. ... Manager Jim Leyland has seen an estimated 300 games in PNC Park as a scout, but managed there for the first time Friday. He expects a hectic weekend, with brothers and sisters staying at his Pittsburgh home. Wife Katie also had a small gathering for friends and family following Friday night's game. ``It's all nice, it's great when it's happening, but it's great when it's over,'' he said. ``It's time consuming.''
PITTSBURGH: 3B Freddy Sanchez, whose game-ending homer in the ninth inning Thursday against the White Sox stopped the Pirates' 13-game losing streak, did not start Friday because of back spasms. The injury isn't believed to be serious. ... Also held out was OF-1B Craig Wilson, still bothered by a bruised left elbow. ... LHP Tom Gorzelanny will make his second career start Saturday night against the Tigers. He lost to Houston's Andy Pettitte, 7-4, in his major league debut Sept. 20, allowing five runs in 4 1-3 innings. This season, he was 6-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 16 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis before being recalled to replace Oliver Perez, who was demoted to the bullpen.
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NEW YORK METS: Regular C Paul Lo Duca (bruised left thumb) was the DH. ``I haven't been healthy for six years,'' he said, half-joking. Ramon Castro started behind the plate and batted ninth. ... Third base coach Manny Acta flew back to the Dominican Republic after the sudden death of his brother. Sandy Alomar coached third in place of Acta, expected to rejoin the team in time for Sunday night's game. ... 1B Carlos Delgado sat out for the second straight game with an ailing ribcage. ``It's a little better than yesterday. I went down to the batting cage and took a few swings about 50 percent, 60 percent, and I was feeling it,'' Delgado said. ``I don't anticipate anything really, really bad.'' Julio Franco started at 1B. ... RF Xavier Nady missed his third consecutive start because of a sore right wrist - where he was hit by a pitch recently. A CT scan showed a small, non-displaced fracture, but Nady was told he can play through it as long as he can tolerate the pain. He is day to day. ... LF Cliff Floyd (sprained ankle) was activated from the DL and OF Lastings Milledge was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. ``Thinking is the key,'' Milledge said. ``At the major league level they have more experience, so when I go down there I've got to think like a major leaguer and I've got to outthink my opponent.''
NEW YORK YANKEES: The Bronx Bombers began the day four games behind first-place Boston in the AL East, their largest deficit of the season. ... Jason Giambi homered off ex-Yankee Orlando Hernandez in the first inning, his 11th homer in June. ... 2B Robinson Cano (strained left hamstring) took batting practice and grounders but will not come off the DL until after the All-Star break. ... Injured RHP Carl Pavano might be able to start throwing off a mound again within a week.
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TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon said he was pleased with the reinstatement of former first-round draft choice Josh Hamilton, who had been suspended since 2004 for drug use. Hamilton, who has not played since 2002 because of injuries and personal problems, will join Single-A Hudson Valley next week. ``It's a great day for him personally,'' Maddon said. ``Of course, I know it's baseball, but we'd like to see him grow as a person again, to become settled in with his family.'' ... RHP Jae Seo, acquired with C Dioner Navarro in the deal that sent LHP Mark Hendrickson and C Toby Hall to the Dodgers, will make his first start with the Devil Rays on Sunday afternoon. RHP James Shields will start Saturday, and LHP Scott Kazmir is expected to go Monday at home against Boston. Seo appeared in relief in Wednesday's game against Florida. ... 3B Aubrey Huff entered the game with the third-best average in the majors during interleague play. He was 23-for-52 (.442) heading into the game.
WASHINGTON: A day after leaving his start with ``dead arm,'' right-hander John Patterson said he is planning on making his next scheduled start Tuesday against Florida. Patterson said he had numbness in his arm during and after his start Thursday at Toronto, which lasted three innings in an 8-4 loss to the Blue Jays. It was Patterson's second start since being disabled for two months with a right forearm strain. ``Hopefully it rebounds,'' Patterson said. ``I don't see why I can't make my next start.'' ... Incoming team president Stan Kasten announced that the team would retain general manager Jim Bowden when the new ownership group, headed by Theodore Lerner, takes over the team. Bowden has been with the team since November 2004. Kasten said that a strong draft headed by Bowden reaffirmed his trust in Bowden. ``I came in believing this was the course I was going to take,'' Kasten said. ``This is what I always thought I was going to do. People close to me will tell you I have been talking about this for a long while.'' ... The Nationals signed second-round draft pick Stephen Englund, 18, a center fielder from Bellevue, Wash. Englund will report to the Gulf Coast League Nationals next week.
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PHILADELPHIA: RHP Jon Lieber will make his third rehab start on Saturday for Class-A Clearwater. Lieber has missed the last month with a strained left groin. ... The Phillies optioned RHP Chris Condrey to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday to make room on the roster for LHP Fabio Castro. The Phillies acquired Castro from the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Condrey went 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 16 games.
TORONTO: Manager John Gibbons had DH/RF Eric Hinske bat leadoff for the first time this season. Normal leadoff hitter Alex Rios remained in the hospital Friday because of a serious infection in his lower left leg. Gibbons likes the way his lineup sets up so he didn't want to mess with it. ... 2B Russ Adams entered Friday's game hitting just .233, but Gibbons says he's played well at his new position. The Blue Jays sent Adams down earlier this year after he struggled to make throws at SS.
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CLEVELAND: With Eduardo Perez traded to Seattle, manager Eric Wedge plans to use several players at first base, including catcher Victor Martinez. ``Right now, he's still our catcher,'' Wedge said. ``I want to be clear on that. First base is an option for him. Right now, he's still our front-line catcher.'' ... The Indians gave themselves another option - for a few days, anyway - by calling up first baseman/catcher Ryan Garko from Triple-A Buffalo. ... OF Jason Michaels (sprained ankle) is eligible to come off the 15-day DL on Saturday. He worked out Friday, and is expected to begin a brief rehab stint soon. ... RHP Matt Miller, who had elbow surgery on April 26, could start a throwing program over the All-Star break. If all goes well, there's a chance he could be back in the bullpen in late August or September. ... OF Grady Sizemore extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a fourth-inning RBI double.
CINCINNATI: LHP Chris Hammond was designated for assignment, a day after he retired only one of the four batters he faced and gave up three runs in relief. Hammond was 1-1 in 29 appearances with a 6.91 ERA. ... The Reds called up LHP Brian Shackelford from Triple-A Louisville. Shackelford also was with the Reds from April 20 to May 30, going 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 relief appearances. He and Kent Mercker are the left-handers in the bullpen. ... Manager Jerry Narron said more changes are coming if the bullpen doesn't improve. Reds relievers lead the NL in earned run average (5.18) and homers allowed (39). ``We're begging for somebody to come out of the bullpen and pitch well,'' Narron said.
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BOSTON: DH David Ortiz wasn't in Friday's lineup at Florida, partly because the Red Sox faced LHP Dontrelle Willis and partly because Ortiz simply needed a rest. ``Seems like the night to do it,'' manager Terry Francona said. ... Francona, who said Thursday he wanted LF Manny Ramirez to skip the All-Star game and rest his right knee, also wouldn't mind if RHP Curt Schilling didn't play in the game. Schilling is scheduled to start for Boston on July 9 at the White Sox. ... LHP David Wells (knee), who will rejoin the Red Sox when they visit Tampa Bay next week, has resumed ``very light'' throwing, Boston GM Theo Epstein said. ... RHP Matt Clement threw a side session Friday and could begin his rehab at Fort Myers of the Gulf Coast League next week.
FLORIDA: 2B Dan Uggla made his first start since June 20. He'd been out with a sore hamstring. ``Feels good,'' Uggla said. ... Manager Joe Girardi sounds like he expects 3B Miguel Cabrera to represent the Marlins at the All-Star game, but hopes that Uggla - who entered Friday with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs and a .312 average - merits consideration, too. ``I hope his numbers are not overlooked,'' Girardi said. ... RHP Anibal Sanchez, who threw 5 2-3 innings of shutout ball in his winning debut at Yankee Stadium last Sunday, gets his next start Wednesday at Washington. ... Several Marlins had various vintage replica jerseys in their lockers Friday, including Michael Jordan's Birmingham Barons top, a Wes Unseld jersey from his NBA days, and a Joe Namath jersey in New York Jets' green.
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BALTIMORE: SS Miguel Tejada is scheduled to play in his 1,000th consecutive game Saturday night. He has the longest active streak in the majors. ... RHP Russ Ortiz, released by Arizona and signed by Baltimore on Sunday, will make his debut with the Orioles on Saturday night. Ortiz was 0-5 with a 7.54 ERA with Arizona this year. ``He's got to pitch good to hold his position,'' manager Sam Perlozzo said. ``He knows that. I hope he's good enough to stay in that spot all year.''
ATLANTA: RHP Chris Reitsma was activated from the 15-day DL after missing 17 days with a condition that caused numbness in the fingers on his pitching hand. Reitsma returns with a 9.11 ERA after giving up seven hits and five runs while recording only two outs at Houston in his last appearance on June 11. ... To clear a roster spot for Reitsma, rookie RHP Kevin Barry was sent back to Triple-A Richmond. Barry appeared in one game, giving up only two hits and one walk in three shutout innings against the Yankees on Monday. ``He only got one outing but he sure looked good,'' Braves manager Bobby Cox said. ``We're not going to forget about him, that's for sure. He turned into a pitcher.''
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KANSAS CITY: LF Reggie Sanders and 2B Mark Grudzielanek played in St. Louis for the first time since leaving for free agent deals after last season. Sanders took note of the Cardinals' eight-game losing streak, which ended Wednesday. ``The beauty of what they're going through, they're still in first place,'' Sanders said. Sanders had a diplomatic smile and ``no comment'' about the team's apparent lack of interest in re-signing him after last season. ... Grudzielanek remains disappointed about the Cardinals' refusal to negotiate with him after last season, and with the fact he didn't win a Gold Glove at 2B last year after being part of a tandem that led the major leagues in double plays. Of leaving town, he noted that the Cardinals gave him only a $1 million contract last season. ``I dealt with them the year before and it was the same spiel,'' Grudzielanek said.
ST. LOUIS: OF Jim Edmonds was in the second slot in the lineup for the second straight game, and could be there, at least against right-handers, for a while. ``Three times he hit the ball hard,'' manager Tony La Russa said. ``It depends on the left-hander, depends on how he's swinging.'' ... Backup C Gary Bennett, who strained a left side muscle earlier in the week, remained available for emergency duty. La Russa said Bennett probably would get a start during the three-game interleague series against the Royals this weekend. ... La Russa avoids sports talk radio when he's in his car. Instead, he listens to a comedy channel on satellite radio. ``The greatest thing that's been developed,'' he said. ``That's all I listen to.'' ... The Cardinals signed first-round sandwich draft pick Chris Perez, a RHP, and second-rounder Jonathan Jay, an OF.
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MILWAUKEE: Infielder Bill Hall, who is 5-for-21 with only three RBIs through the first seven games of this road trip, was given a rest Friday and could get another day off Saturday. ``He's been striking out a lot lately, and that's a kind of a sign where they're starting to drag a little bit,'' manager Ned Yost said. ... Hall, who also plays third base and second base, has been the regular shortstop since J.J. Hardy sprained his ankle in mid-May. Yost didn't sound pleased by Hardy's slow recovery. ``J.J.'s still working at it,'' Yost said. ... LHP Jorge De La Rosa, on the DL for nearly three weeks with a finger blister, made a successful rehab start Thursday night for Double-A Huntsville and will make at least one more, on Monday. ``He threw very, very well,'' Yost said.
MINNESOTA: OF Shannon Stewart returned from the DL, but he wasn't in Friday's lineup. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he'd play Saturday, but likely as the DH and in the bottom third of the order. Rookie Jason Kubel has done well in left field, and though 2B Luis Castillo - who took over Stewart's customary leadoff spot - is in a slump, Gardenhire didn't want to change anything in the lineup with the Twins winning. The two talked before the game. Stewart didn't appear happy about the prospect of losing the leadoff spot. ``Every time I've come back from rehab, I've hit where I'm supposed to hit, but that's fine,'' he said. ... Insisting that he wasn't lobbying White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen for it, Gardenhire made his pitch for LHP Johan Santana to be the AL's starter in the All-Star game. ``If it were up to me, I couldn't think of a better person to start,'' he said.
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HOUSTON: Craig Biggio, who has a sore right shoulder, was the DH for the Astros again Friday. Manager Phil Garner said Biggio wouldn't play Saturday, a day game, but would DH again Sunday. ... RHP Brandon Backe said his arm felt good Friday, a day after throwing 55 pitches in three innings in his first rehab start. Backe, on the DL since April 14 with a sprained ligament in his right elbow, allowed five runs and five hits for Triple-A Round Rock in a loss to Oklahoma. ``I was just excited to get back out there after three months of sitting around and wondering if I'd get to pitch again this year,'' he said. He's scheduled to pitch again Tuesday.
TEXAS: RHP Rick Bauer could be headed to the DL following a hemorrhoid procedure Friday. Manager Buck Showalter said Bauer was in pain and not available to pitch. Bauer's spot on the pitching staff could be taken by RHP John Wasdin, who's on the DL with a sprained right thumb but was scheduled to pitch Saturday. ... LHP Brian Anderson will have another ligament replacement surgery July 14. Anderson was trying to come back from similar surgery last July 21 but suffered a recent setback during his rehab program. ... RHP Adam Eaton will have a 30-pitch simulated game stint on Sunday. He could start a minor league assignment Thursday.