the d'backs win another game
the cubs win in a slugfest
the royals finaly lose a game
the twins keep on rolling
the cubs win in a slugfest
the royals finaly lose a game
the twins keep on rolling
BOSTON: Boston is 7-0 when David Ortiz, who typically is the designated hitter, starts at first base. And since interleague play for the Red Sox ended Sunday, Ortiz probably will get very few opportunities at first the rest of the year. ... Ortiz hit nine home runs in interleague play this year. ... 2B Mark Loretta's 13-game hitting streak ended Sunday, along with his run of 23 straight interleague games with at least one hit. ... OF Wily Mo Pena, who had wrist surgery June 1, reported to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday. ... The Red Sox improved to 41-2 when leading after six innings and 12-6 in one-run games.
FLORIDA: Rookie SS Hanley Ramirez hit his second leadoff homer of the year, already moving within two of matching Devon White's franchise career record. ... The Marlins have lost six of seven series against the Red Sox. ... Florida is 8-16 in one-run games. ... Until losing Saturday and Sunday to the Red Sox, the Marlins hadn't lost consecutive home games since May 27-28 against the New York Mets. ... LHP Dontrelle Willis will likely start on Wednesday, not Thursday as originally planned, because of some rotation-juggling brought on by RHP Brian Moehler's trip to the DL with a sprained foot. ... Florida is 8-14 in day games.
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BALTIMORE: OF Corey Patterson was held out after fouling a ball off his foot Saturday night. ``He's a little tender,'' said manager Sam Perlozzo, who said X-rays will be taken as a precaution. ... The Orioles fell to 14-24 in road games, the second-worst mark in the AL. ... C Javy Lopez missed his third straight game with a stiff neck.
ATLANTA: 3B Chipper Jones was a late scratch with a sore foot. Jones said the pain he now has in his right foot is not as severe as the injured ligament in his left foot that caused him to miss 37 games last season. He hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning. Jones already has had X-rays and will have an MRI exam on Monday. He said he hopes a painkilling shot can help him continue playing. ... RHP Chris Reitsma returned to the DL with ulnar neuritis in his right arm. He earlier was on the DL from June 12 until Friday with the same problem. Reitsma again experienced numbness in his right hand when pitching Saturday night. After hitting Baltimore's Miguel Tejada with a pitch, Reitsma had to leave the game. RHP Kevin Barry was recalled from Triple-A Richmond to fill the roster spot, and he may start Tuesday if John Thomson is not ready to return from a blister on his pitching hand.
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TAMPA BAY: With the end of a three-game series in Washington, the Devil Rays return to Tropicana Field to play 20 of their next 30 games at home. The Devil Rays have played 46 road games this year, most in the majors. The trip back won't be easy, though, as the Devil Rays' seven-game homestand includes four with the AL East-leading Red Sox and three with the second-place Yankees. ``I can't wait,'' manager Joe Maddon said. ``Because if we're going to be good, we have to beat people like the Red Sox and the Yankees in our division.'' ... The Devil Rays committed four errors in Sunday's 6-2 loss to Washington, their most since committing four April 19 against Boston. On Sunday they had three errors during a two-run sixth inning, tying a club record. ``That was just a bad moment for us,'' Maddon said. ... The Devil Rays finished interleague play with an 11-7 record against National League teams, but they lost five of their last seven. ``What you've seen is a microcosm of our entire year,'' Maddon said. ``Whereas we're (12 games) under .500, we haven't played that poorly by any means. The effort's been there, we've lost a lot of close games.''
WASHINGTON: The Nationals signed Esmailyn Gonzalez, a 16-year-old Dominican shortstop. Gonzalez, who also received heavy interest from Boston, Texas, Minnesota and the New York Yankees, will receive a $1.4 million signing bonus and report to the team's instructional league team in the Dominican Republic. In a pregame news conference that included Gonzalez, manager Frank Robinson, general manager Jim Bowden and scout Jose Rijo, the switch-hitting Gonzalez was compared to some of the great shortstops in the game, such as Ozzie Smith, Miguel Tejada and Barry Larkin. ``We're going to compete with all the big-market clubs for the best talent in the world,'' Bowden said of the Nationals, whose new ownership group, led by Theodore Lerner, is expected to take over the team later this month. ... LF Alfonso Soriano did not start for the first time since May 11. In his last eight games, he is 2-for-33 (.061). ... RHP Tony Armas said that he expects to come off the DL when eligible on July 5. He has been sidelined since June 20 with a strained right forearm. ... Marlon Anderson made his second straight start in center field. He had never started there before Saturday.
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PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies had a season-high 17 hits in Sunday's 11-6 victory over Toronto. ... Seventeen of 1B Ryan Howard's 28 home runs have either tied the game or given the Phillies the lead. ... OF Bobby Abreu has reached base safely in 29 consecutive games, a streak that dates to June 1.
TORONTO: RF Alex Rios remained in hospital Saturday with a leg infection. Manager John Gibbons thinks he'll be released soon, but will need to check in with doctors and won't go on the road trip with the team. Rios is on the 15-day DL. ... OF Vernon Wells remains day to day with a strained left hamstring. Gibbons said Wells, who was born in Shreveport, La., might play in front of family in Texas on Monday.
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CLEVELAND: 3B Aaron Boone was in a 4-for-42 slump and hadn't homered since June 7 when he hit his tiebreaking two-run shot in the eighth inning. ... The Indians and Reds split their six-game interleague series. Cleveland leads the all-time series 26-19. ... The Indians went 8-10 in interleague play and are 93-82 overall since it started in 1997. ... C Victor Martinez made his fourth career start at 1B. ... Travis Hafner is the first player since 1968 to hit four grand slams before the All-Star break, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Only four others have done it: Lou Gehrig in 1934, Sid Gordon in 1950, Jim Gentile in 1961 and Jim Northrup in 1968. Hafner hit his fourth slam on Saturday night as a pinch hitter.
CINCINNATI: The Reds went 6-9 in interleague play, leaving them 61-78 overall. ... Cincinnati's bullpen ranks last in the NL in ERA and has given up 42 homers, the most in the majors. ... David Ross had the fourth two-homer game of his career. His 12 homers overall are a career high. ... Adam Dunn's RBI single off C.C. Sabathia left him with the same number of singles and homers - 26 each. ... The Reds were 44-37 at the season's midpoint for the third time in the last five years. They had the same mark in 2002, when they finished third at 78-84, and again in 2004, when they ended up fourth at 76-86.
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DETROIT: The Tigers return to AL play Monday for the rest of the season after going 15-3 in interleague play, easily their best record against the NL since interleague play began in 1997. ... LHP Kenny Rogers on being the only member of the Tigers' dominating rotation chosen for the All-Star game: ``I've been to one, and it's a great privilege to go, but every one of our starters could have gone. It's sad that only one's going right now.''
PITTSBURGH: RHP Victor Santos, out since the middle of last month with a strained right rotator cuff, is expected to make a rehabilitation start Thursday for Triple-A Indianapolis. ... OF Chris Duffy, the opening day center fielder, started Sunday night for Indianapolis - his first game action since May 14 for Pittsburgh. After being optioned to the minors, he refused to report and spent a month out of action before finally reporting to the extended spring camp in Bradenton, Fla. During his time away from baseball, he met with a sports psychologist. Duffy was upset with the Pirates' decision to transform him from a line-drive hitter to one who looks to get on base by legging out hits and taking walks.
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MILWAUKEE: LHP Jorge De La Rosa is scheduled to make his second rehab start for Double-A Huntsville on Monday. He has been on the DL since June 10 with a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. ... RHP Tomo Ohka was scheduled to make his first rehab start for Single-A Brevard County on Sunday. Ohka has been on the shelf since May 3 with a partially torn right rotator cuff.
MINNESOTA: C Joe Mauer missed Sunday's game with stomach problems. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he was going to the doctor to be examined on Sunday evening and would meet the team in Kansas City on Monday. The majors' leading hitter said he was up all night sweating and ``had to take myself out today. Hopefully it's nothing serious.'' ... After winning all nine games of their homestand, the Twins head back on the road for three at Kansas City and three at Texas. They struggled early in the season on the road, but Gardenhire said the team's recent 5-1 trip to Pittsburgh and Houston has their confidence up. ``That last road trip kind of eased our minds about the road trip woes,'' Gardenhire said.
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ST. LOUIS: After posting a 6.09 ERA in June, the Cardinals bolstered the bullpen Sunday by calling up 27-year-old right-hander Jason Kinney from Triple-A Memphis. Kinney was 1-2 with a 1.62 ERA. ... Albert Pujols tied Ray Lankford for third place on the Cardinals home run list with his 228th homer. ... The Cardinals .360 winning percentage in June was the third lowest for the month in the 115-year history of the franchise. ... Manager Tony La Russa said Sidney Ponson would keep his place in the starting rotation despite recording only eight outs in his start Saturday. ``He's still in the rotation,'' La Russa said Sunday after speculation Ponson might be sent to the bullpen.
KANSAS CITY: OF David DeJesus has a simple explanation for his nine-game hitting streak. ``It's just one of those things. I feel real good at the plate. I feel comfortable. I'm seeing pitches, recognizing them early out of pitchers' hands and I'm swinging at good pitches.'' ... The Royals said they plan to boost their offer to right-hander Luke Hochevar, the first overall pick in the June 6 draft. The Royals' initial offer included a signing bonus in excess of $4 million. That is more than the bonuses for each of the next four selections, each of whom is already under contract.
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CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Manager Ozzie Guillen said 3B Joe Crede will be picked for the All-Star team if any of the American League selections gets hurt. ``I don't care if it's a pitcher, catcher, outfield, third base - Crede's going,'' Guillen said. ``I don't care who gets mad.'' Crede is batting .303 with 16 homers and 57 RBIs. ... Jim Thome's pinch-hit homer during Sunday's 15-11 loss was the third of his career and second in less than a week. He had one Thursday at Pittsburgh. It was the second in as many games for the White Sox, who have five this season. Paul Konerko hit one on Saturday.
CHICAGO CUBS: RHP Ryan Dempster will remain the closer for now. Dempster blew his fifth save in 17 opportunities Saturday, when A.J. Pierzynski hit a three-run homer with two out in the ninth to lift the White Sox over the Cubs 8-6. ``The other guys are in the roles they're supposed to be in,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ``(Scott) Eyre and (Bob) Howry are in the setup role; that's why we got them. ... He threw one bad pitch. A year ago, everyone was crying for Dempster; now, they're crying for someone else. It's tough to find somebody else.'' ... Baker said LHP Glendon Rusch will likely be activated from the DL on Monday. The veteran is 2-7 with a 7.80 ERA. ... The Cubs' 20 hits Sunday were a season-high and their most since June 10, 2005, when they had 20 in a 14-6 win over Boston.
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LOS ANGELES DODGERS: 1B Nomar Garciaparra doubled in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games. Garciaparra, the NL's batting leader with a .361 average, said he wasn't concerned about being bypassed for the All-Star game. ``Whether you make it or don't make it doesn't determine whether you're having a good year,'' he said. ... RHP Brad Penny was the only Dodger to be picked for the All-Star game, to be played July 11 in Pittsburgh. ``I'm really excited,'' said Penny, who has a 9-2 record and a 2.94 ERA. ``It's an honor, it's something I've never done before and definitely something I've wanted to experience.'' ... INF Cesar Izturis hit a two-out single in the third to end an 0-for-19 slump. ... OF Kenny Lofton stole his 15th base of the season to raise his career total to 582 - the most among active players. ... SS Rafael Furcal committed his 18th error - three more than he had all last season.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS: SS Orlando Cabrera has reached base safely in 74 of 78 games this season. ... Cabrera's steal of home in the third inning was the first straight steal of home for an Angels player since Tony Phillips accomplished the feat on June 28, 1997, at Seattle. ... The Angels lost the season series to the Dodgers 4-2, the first time they've lost the season series to their local rivals since 1999 - two years after interleague play began. ... The Angels played errorless ball Sunday - a rarity recently. They've committed 31 errors in their last 28 games and lead the AL with 65. And they've allowed 58 unearned runs this season compared to 45 all of last year. ``Everybody's putting their work in like usual,'' said Chone Figgins, one of only three players to start a game at six different positions last season. ``We as a team hate making errors. As rough as things have gone for us, we're still in the hunt.'' ... All three games against the Dodgers were played before sellout crowds, giving the Angels 18 sellouts in 42 home dates this season.
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COLORADO: OF Matt Holliday and LHP Brian Fuentes were voted by the players to the National League All-Star team. It's the second selection for Fuentes, who was the Rockies only representative last year. ``It's well deserved opportunities for both of them,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ``We're proud of them and happy for them.'' It's the first selection for Holliday, who leads the Rockies with a .345 batting average. ``You don't want to get your hopes up because crazy things have happened. But when somebody tells you, it's pretty cool,'' Holliday said. ... The Rockies won all four of their interleague series' and finished with the best record in the National League at 11-4. ... RHP Jason Jennings didn't get a decision in Sunday's game, but has now pitched at least six innings in 14 of his 17 starts. He allowed two runs in seven innings against the Mariners.
SEATTLE: CF Jeremy Reed broke his right thumb diving for a sinking liner from Brad Hawpe in the 11th inning Sunday. He is scheduled to see a hand specialist on Monday. ... RHP Sean Green had back spasms in the locker room after Sunday's game. Green pitched to one batter, getting the final out of the 11th. ... Manager Mike Hargrove met with RHP Joel Pineiro after Saturday's game where Pineiro lasted only 2 2-3 innings, his shortest start of the season. Hargrove felt Pineiro had good stuff, but was overthrowing, especially with two outs. Colorado scored seven runs off Pineiro, all with two out. ``When you feel strong and you feel like you're throwing well and have good stuff, that's when you need to take a deep breath, step back and ... not try to be so dominating that you do overthrow.'' ... Seattle lost on Sunday for the first time when 1B Richie Sexson has homered. They're now 12-1 in those games.
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ARIZONA: RHP Juan Cruz will come off the DL and start Monday's against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Cruz has been out since June 4 with a sore right shoulder. ``He's a guy we've missed,'' manager Bob Melvin said. ``He's pitched well since we put him in the rotation. He had a good bullpen session and he's ready to go.'' Melvin said he would announce a corresponding move before Monday's game. Cruz brings a 13-inning scoreless streak into the start. ... RHP Edgar Gonzalez, who replaced Cruz in the rotation, was sent to the bullpen as of Sunday and could either assume a long relief role or be optioned back to Tucson. Melvin said his fate has not been determined. ``We'll see how it all plays out,'' he said. ``We don't really have a long guy and he profiles out to potentially fill that role.'' ... LHP Randy Choate has allowed one earned run in seven career appearances, spanning 11 innings, against the A's entering play on Sunday.
OAKLAND: 3B Eric Chavez missed his third straight game with inflammation in his forearms, a condition that has caused him problems for several weeks. ... LHP Joe Kennedy threw off a mound in back to back days for the first time since going on the DL on May 11 with tendinitis in his left shoulder. Kennedy, who has not allowed an earned run in 17 of his 18 outings this year, has yet to allow an inherited runner to score. ... Manager Ken Macha is not concerned about how the A's finish by the All-Star break, even though the team is in position to be in first place at the break for the first time in Macha's tenure as manager. ``It would be nice but we have other concerns than worrying about where we'll be at the break,'' Macha said. ``I'm thinking about today. We need to get some of our hitters swinging the bat the way they can. We're more concerned about where we'll be at the end of the year than at the break.''
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HOUSTON: Manager Phil Garner is happy that interleague play is over. The Astros entered Sunday night with a 6-11 record against the AL. ``It's been a humbling experience,'' Garner said. ``They've had their way with us.'' And that record doesn't count being swept in the World Series by the Chicago White Sox last October. ... 2B Chris Burke was back in the lineup after missing Saturday's game with a sore big left toe. ... Garner says his team has to get back to break-even before it can entertain thoughts of climbing into playoff contention. ``We've got to get back to .500 before we can start looking at anyone ahead of us,'' Garner said. They were 38-42 starting the second half.
TEXAS: RHP Kameron Loe, on the DL since June 20 a bone bruise in his right elbow, got an injection Sunday. He was back in Texas after spending a week at the team's complex in Arizona, where he played catch for three straight days. Loe hopes to be able to make a rehab start in about a week. ``The swelling's gone down,'' Loe said ... For the first time in team history, the Rangers begin the second half of the season with a winning record. Texas started the second half Sunday night with a 41-40 record.
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NEW YORK METS: 1B Carlos Delgado was back in the lineup as the DH after missing three games with an ailing ribcage. ``Much better today. I went to the batting cage earlier today and took some swings,'' Delgado said. ``It was pretty good. Hopefully, it's gone.'' ... C Paul Lo Duca (bruised left thumb) was back behind the plate. ... David Wright became the first Mets 3B to win the fan balloting for the All-Star game. SS Jose Reyes, CF Carlos Beltran and Lo Duca also were elected by fans. The only other year the Mets had four starters on the NL team was 1986, the last time they won the World Series. That year, C Gary Carter, 1B Keith Hernandez, RF Darryl Strawberry and RHP Dwight Gooden all started. ... LHP Tom Glavine became the sixth pitcher to make an All-Star team in 10 or more years. The others are Warren Spahn (14), Tom Seaver (12), Roger Clemens (11), Steve Carlton (10) and Randy Johnson (10).
NEW YORK YANKEES: RHP Mike Mussina, who sustained a slight strain in his right groin early in his outing Friday night, is going through his normal routine between starts. He threw 50 pitches in a side session Sunday and plans to make his next scheduled start Wednesday night in Cleveland. ``I don't think it's going to be a problem, unless I wake up tomorrow and can't move,'' Mussina said. ``But I don't see it, because I didn't feel it one time - not one throw.'' ... Mussina was left off the AL All-Star team despite a 9-3 record and 3.17 ERA. He also has 104 strikeouts. ``I'm not disappointed. I've had a good first half,'' he said. ``There's a lot of guys that deserved to go. It doesn't bother me. There's probably 10 or 12 starters in this league that have earned the right to go.''
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SAN FRANCISCO: Jason Schmidt, who is 6-3 with a 2.73 ERA, was named to the NL All-Star team. ``Sometimes you can't control the wins,'' he said. ``You just try to keep your team in the game and I think I've done that.''
SAN DIEGO: Closer Trevor Hoffman was named to the All-Star team for the fifth time, and starter Chris Young is one of five players vying for the final spot in a fan vote. It's Hoffman's first selection since 2002. ``Individual accomplishments are nice, but team accomplishments are better,'' he said. The Padres haven't had a player voted to the starting lineup since Tony Gwynn in 1999.
FLORIDA: Rookie SS Hanley Ramirez hit his second leadoff homer of the year, already moving within two of matching Devon White's franchise career record. ... The Marlins have lost six of seven series against the Red Sox. ... Florida is 8-16 in one-run games. ... Until losing Saturday and Sunday to the Red Sox, the Marlins hadn't lost consecutive home games since May 27-28 against the New York Mets. ... LHP Dontrelle Willis will likely start on Wednesday, not Thursday as originally planned, because of some rotation-juggling brought on by RHP Brian Moehler's trip to the DL with a sprained foot. ... Florida is 8-14 in day games.
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BALTIMORE: OF Corey Patterson was held out after fouling a ball off his foot Saturday night. ``He's a little tender,'' said manager Sam Perlozzo, who said X-rays will be taken as a precaution. ... The Orioles fell to 14-24 in road games, the second-worst mark in the AL. ... C Javy Lopez missed his third straight game with a stiff neck.
ATLANTA: 3B Chipper Jones was a late scratch with a sore foot. Jones said the pain he now has in his right foot is not as severe as the injured ligament in his left foot that caused him to miss 37 games last season. He hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the eighth inning. Jones already has had X-rays and will have an MRI exam on Monday. He said he hopes a painkilling shot can help him continue playing. ... RHP Chris Reitsma returned to the DL with ulnar neuritis in his right arm. He earlier was on the DL from June 12 until Friday with the same problem. Reitsma again experienced numbness in his right hand when pitching Saturday night. After hitting Baltimore's Miguel Tejada with a pitch, Reitsma had to leave the game. RHP Kevin Barry was recalled from Triple-A Richmond to fill the roster spot, and he may start Tuesday if John Thomson is not ready to return from a blister on his pitching hand.
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TAMPA BAY: With the end of a three-game series in Washington, the Devil Rays return to Tropicana Field to play 20 of their next 30 games at home. The Devil Rays have played 46 road games this year, most in the majors. The trip back won't be easy, though, as the Devil Rays' seven-game homestand includes four with the AL East-leading Red Sox and three with the second-place Yankees. ``I can't wait,'' manager Joe Maddon said. ``Because if we're going to be good, we have to beat people like the Red Sox and the Yankees in our division.'' ... The Devil Rays committed four errors in Sunday's 6-2 loss to Washington, their most since committing four April 19 against Boston. On Sunday they had three errors during a two-run sixth inning, tying a club record. ``That was just a bad moment for us,'' Maddon said. ... The Devil Rays finished interleague play with an 11-7 record against National League teams, but they lost five of their last seven. ``What you've seen is a microcosm of our entire year,'' Maddon said. ``Whereas we're (12 games) under .500, we haven't played that poorly by any means. The effort's been there, we've lost a lot of close games.''
WASHINGTON: The Nationals signed Esmailyn Gonzalez, a 16-year-old Dominican shortstop. Gonzalez, who also received heavy interest from Boston, Texas, Minnesota and the New York Yankees, will receive a $1.4 million signing bonus and report to the team's instructional league team in the Dominican Republic. In a pregame news conference that included Gonzalez, manager Frank Robinson, general manager Jim Bowden and scout Jose Rijo, the switch-hitting Gonzalez was compared to some of the great shortstops in the game, such as Ozzie Smith, Miguel Tejada and Barry Larkin. ``We're going to compete with all the big-market clubs for the best talent in the world,'' Bowden said of the Nationals, whose new ownership group, led by Theodore Lerner, is expected to take over the team later this month. ... LF Alfonso Soriano did not start for the first time since May 11. In his last eight games, he is 2-for-33 (.061). ... RHP Tony Armas said that he expects to come off the DL when eligible on July 5. He has been sidelined since June 20 with a strained right forearm. ... Marlon Anderson made his second straight start in center field. He had never started there before Saturday.
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PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies had a season-high 17 hits in Sunday's 11-6 victory over Toronto. ... Seventeen of 1B Ryan Howard's 28 home runs have either tied the game or given the Phillies the lead. ... OF Bobby Abreu has reached base safely in 29 consecutive games, a streak that dates to June 1.
TORONTO: RF Alex Rios remained in hospital Saturday with a leg infection. Manager John Gibbons thinks he'll be released soon, but will need to check in with doctors and won't go on the road trip with the team. Rios is on the 15-day DL. ... OF Vernon Wells remains day to day with a strained left hamstring. Gibbons said Wells, who was born in Shreveport, La., might play in front of family in Texas on Monday.
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CLEVELAND: 3B Aaron Boone was in a 4-for-42 slump and hadn't homered since June 7 when he hit his tiebreaking two-run shot in the eighth inning. ... The Indians and Reds split their six-game interleague series. Cleveland leads the all-time series 26-19. ... The Indians went 8-10 in interleague play and are 93-82 overall since it started in 1997. ... C Victor Martinez made his fourth career start at 1B. ... Travis Hafner is the first player since 1968 to hit four grand slams before the All-Star break, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Only four others have done it: Lou Gehrig in 1934, Sid Gordon in 1950, Jim Gentile in 1961 and Jim Northrup in 1968. Hafner hit his fourth slam on Saturday night as a pinch hitter.
CINCINNATI: The Reds went 6-9 in interleague play, leaving them 61-78 overall. ... Cincinnati's bullpen ranks last in the NL in ERA and has given up 42 homers, the most in the majors. ... David Ross had the fourth two-homer game of his career. His 12 homers overall are a career high. ... Adam Dunn's RBI single off C.C. Sabathia left him with the same number of singles and homers - 26 each. ... The Reds were 44-37 at the season's midpoint for the third time in the last five years. They had the same mark in 2002, when they finished third at 78-84, and again in 2004, when they ended up fourth at 76-86.
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DETROIT: The Tigers return to AL play Monday for the rest of the season after going 15-3 in interleague play, easily their best record against the NL since interleague play began in 1997. ... LHP Kenny Rogers on being the only member of the Tigers' dominating rotation chosen for the All-Star game: ``I've been to one, and it's a great privilege to go, but every one of our starters could have gone. It's sad that only one's going right now.''
PITTSBURGH: RHP Victor Santos, out since the middle of last month with a strained right rotator cuff, is expected to make a rehabilitation start Thursday for Triple-A Indianapolis. ... OF Chris Duffy, the opening day center fielder, started Sunday night for Indianapolis - his first game action since May 14 for Pittsburgh. After being optioned to the minors, he refused to report and spent a month out of action before finally reporting to the extended spring camp in Bradenton, Fla. During his time away from baseball, he met with a sports psychologist. Duffy was upset with the Pirates' decision to transform him from a line-drive hitter to one who looks to get on base by legging out hits and taking walks.
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MILWAUKEE: LHP Jorge De La Rosa is scheduled to make his second rehab start for Double-A Huntsville on Monday. He has been on the DL since June 10 with a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. ... RHP Tomo Ohka was scheduled to make his first rehab start for Single-A Brevard County on Sunday. Ohka has been on the shelf since May 3 with a partially torn right rotator cuff.
MINNESOTA: C Joe Mauer missed Sunday's game with stomach problems. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he was going to the doctor to be examined on Sunday evening and would meet the team in Kansas City on Monday. The majors' leading hitter said he was up all night sweating and ``had to take myself out today. Hopefully it's nothing serious.'' ... After winning all nine games of their homestand, the Twins head back on the road for three at Kansas City and three at Texas. They struggled early in the season on the road, but Gardenhire said the team's recent 5-1 trip to Pittsburgh and Houston has their confidence up. ``That last road trip kind of eased our minds about the road trip woes,'' Gardenhire said.
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ST. LOUIS: After posting a 6.09 ERA in June, the Cardinals bolstered the bullpen Sunday by calling up 27-year-old right-hander Jason Kinney from Triple-A Memphis. Kinney was 1-2 with a 1.62 ERA. ... Albert Pujols tied Ray Lankford for third place on the Cardinals home run list with his 228th homer. ... The Cardinals .360 winning percentage in June was the third lowest for the month in the 115-year history of the franchise. ... Manager Tony La Russa said Sidney Ponson would keep his place in the starting rotation despite recording only eight outs in his start Saturday. ``He's still in the rotation,'' La Russa said Sunday after speculation Ponson might be sent to the bullpen.
KANSAS CITY: OF David DeJesus has a simple explanation for his nine-game hitting streak. ``It's just one of those things. I feel real good at the plate. I feel comfortable. I'm seeing pitches, recognizing them early out of pitchers' hands and I'm swinging at good pitches.'' ... The Royals said they plan to boost their offer to right-hander Luke Hochevar, the first overall pick in the June 6 draft. The Royals' initial offer included a signing bonus in excess of $4 million. That is more than the bonuses for each of the next four selections, each of whom is already under contract.
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CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Manager Ozzie Guillen said 3B Joe Crede will be picked for the All-Star team if any of the American League selections gets hurt. ``I don't care if it's a pitcher, catcher, outfield, third base - Crede's going,'' Guillen said. ``I don't care who gets mad.'' Crede is batting .303 with 16 homers and 57 RBIs. ... Jim Thome's pinch-hit homer during Sunday's 15-11 loss was the third of his career and second in less than a week. He had one Thursday at Pittsburgh. It was the second in as many games for the White Sox, who have five this season. Paul Konerko hit one on Saturday.
CHICAGO CUBS: RHP Ryan Dempster will remain the closer for now. Dempster blew his fifth save in 17 opportunities Saturday, when A.J. Pierzynski hit a three-run homer with two out in the ninth to lift the White Sox over the Cubs 8-6. ``The other guys are in the roles they're supposed to be in,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ``(Scott) Eyre and (Bob) Howry are in the setup role; that's why we got them. ... He threw one bad pitch. A year ago, everyone was crying for Dempster; now, they're crying for someone else. It's tough to find somebody else.'' ... Baker said LHP Glendon Rusch will likely be activated from the DL on Monday. The veteran is 2-7 with a 7.80 ERA. ... The Cubs' 20 hits Sunday were a season-high and their most since June 10, 2005, when they had 20 in a 14-6 win over Boston.
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LOS ANGELES DODGERS: 1B Nomar Garciaparra doubled in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games. Garciaparra, the NL's batting leader with a .361 average, said he wasn't concerned about being bypassed for the All-Star game. ``Whether you make it or don't make it doesn't determine whether you're having a good year,'' he said. ... RHP Brad Penny was the only Dodger to be picked for the All-Star game, to be played July 11 in Pittsburgh. ``I'm really excited,'' said Penny, who has a 9-2 record and a 2.94 ERA. ``It's an honor, it's something I've never done before and definitely something I've wanted to experience.'' ... INF Cesar Izturis hit a two-out single in the third to end an 0-for-19 slump. ... OF Kenny Lofton stole his 15th base of the season to raise his career total to 582 - the most among active players. ... SS Rafael Furcal committed his 18th error - three more than he had all last season.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS: SS Orlando Cabrera has reached base safely in 74 of 78 games this season. ... Cabrera's steal of home in the third inning was the first straight steal of home for an Angels player since Tony Phillips accomplished the feat on June 28, 1997, at Seattle. ... The Angels lost the season series to the Dodgers 4-2, the first time they've lost the season series to their local rivals since 1999 - two years after interleague play began. ... The Angels played errorless ball Sunday - a rarity recently. They've committed 31 errors in their last 28 games and lead the AL with 65. And they've allowed 58 unearned runs this season compared to 45 all of last year. ``Everybody's putting their work in like usual,'' said Chone Figgins, one of only three players to start a game at six different positions last season. ``We as a team hate making errors. As rough as things have gone for us, we're still in the hunt.'' ... All three games against the Dodgers were played before sellout crowds, giving the Angels 18 sellouts in 42 home dates this season.
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COLORADO: OF Matt Holliday and LHP Brian Fuentes were voted by the players to the National League All-Star team. It's the second selection for Fuentes, who was the Rockies only representative last year. ``It's well deserved opportunities for both of them,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ``We're proud of them and happy for them.'' It's the first selection for Holliday, who leads the Rockies with a .345 batting average. ``You don't want to get your hopes up because crazy things have happened. But when somebody tells you, it's pretty cool,'' Holliday said. ... The Rockies won all four of their interleague series' and finished with the best record in the National League at 11-4. ... RHP Jason Jennings didn't get a decision in Sunday's game, but has now pitched at least six innings in 14 of his 17 starts. He allowed two runs in seven innings against the Mariners.
SEATTLE: CF Jeremy Reed broke his right thumb diving for a sinking liner from Brad Hawpe in the 11th inning Sunday. He is scheduled to see a hand specialist on Monday. ... RHP Sean Green had back spasms in the locker room after Sunday's game. Green pitched to one batter, getting the final out of the 11th. ... Manager Mike Hargrove met with RHP Joel Pineiro after Saturday's game where Pineiro lasted only 2 2-3 innings, his shortest start of the season. Hargrove felt Pineiro had good stuff, but was overthrowing, especially with two outs. Colorado scored seven runs off Pineiro, all with two out. ``When you feel strong and you feel like you're throwing well and have good stuff, that's when you need to take a deep breath, step back and ... not try to be so dominating that you do overthrow.'' ... Seattle lost on Sunday for the first time when 1B Richie Sexson has homered. They're now 12-1 in those games.
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ARIZONA: RHP Juan Cruz will come off the DL and start Monday's against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Cruz has been out since June 4 with a sore right shoulder. ``He's a guy we've missed,'' manager Bob Melvin said. ``He's pitched well since we put him in the rotation. He had a good bullpen session and he's ready to go.'' Melvin said he would announce a corresponding move before Monday's game. Cruz brings a 13-inning scoreless streak into the start. ... RHP Edgar Gonzalez, who replaced Cruz in the rotation, was sent to the bullpen as of Sunday and could either assume a long relief role or be optioned back to Tucson. Melvin said his fate has not been determined. ``We'll see how it all plays out,'' he said. ``We don't really have a long guy and he profiles out to potentially fill that role.'' ... LHP Randy Choate has allowed one earned run in seven career appearances, spanning 11 innings, against the A's entering play on Sunday.
OAKLAND: 3B Eric Chavez missed his third straight game with inflammation in his forearms, a condition that has caused him problems for several weeks. ... LHP Joe Kennedy threw off a mound in back to back days for the first time since going on the DL on May 11 with tendinitis in his left shoulder. Kennedy, who has not allowed an earned run in 17 of his 18 outings this year, has yet to allow an inherited runner to score. ... Manager Ken Macha is not concerned about how the A's finish by the All-Star break, even though the team is in position to be in first place at the break for the first time in Macha's tenure as manager. ``It would be nice but we have other concerns than worrying about where we'll be at the break,'' Macha said. ``I'm thinking about today. We need to get some of our hitters swinging the bat the way they can. We're more concerned about where we'll be at the end of the year than at the break.''
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HOUSTON: Manager Phil Garner is happy that interleague play is over. The Astros entered Sunday night with a 6-11 record against the AL. ``It's been a humbling experience,'' Garner said. ``They've had their way with us.'' And that record doesn't count being swept in the World Series by the Chicago White Sox last October. ... 2B Chris Burke was back in the lineup after missing Saturday's game with a sore big left toe. ... Garner says his team has to get back to break-even before it can entertain thoughts of climbing into playoff contention. ``We've got to get back to .500 before we can start looking at anyone ahead of us,'' Garner said. They were 38-42 starting the second half.
TEXAS: RHP Kameron Loe, on the DL since June 20 a bone bruise in his right elbow, got an injection Sunday. He was back in Texas after spending a week at the team's complex in Arizona, where he played catch for three straight days. Loe hopes to be able to make a rehab start in about a week. ``The swelling's gone down,'' Loe said ... For the first time in team history, the Rangers begin the second half of the season with a winning record. Texas started the second half Sunday night with a 41-40 record.
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NEW YORK METS: 1B Carlos Delgado was back in the lineup as the DH after missing three games with an ailing ribcage. ``Much better today. I went to the batting cage earlier today and took some swings,'' Delgado said. ``It was pretty good. Hopefully, it's gone.'' ... C Paul Lo Duca (bruised left thumb) was back behind the plate. ... David Wright became the first Mets 3B to win the fan balloting for the All-Star game. SS Jose Reyes, CF Carlos Beltran and Lo Duca also were elected by fans. The only other year the Mets had four starters on the NL team was 1986, the last time they won the World Series. That year, C Gary Carter, 1B Keith Hernandez, RF Darryl Strawberry and RHP Dwight Gooden all started. ... LHP Tom Glavine became the sixth pitcher to make an All-Star team in 10 or more years. The others are Warren Spahn (14), Tom Seaver (12), Roger Clemens (11), Steve Carlton (10) and Randy Johnson (10).
NEW YORK YANKEES: RHP Mike Mussina, who sustained a slight strain in his right groin early in his outing Friday night, is going through his normal routine between starts. He threw 50 pitches in a side session Sunday and plans to make his next scheduled start Wednesday night in Cleveland. ``I don't think it's going to be a problem, unless I wake up tomorrow and can't move,'' Mussina said. ``But I don't see it, because I didn't feel it one time - not one throw.'' ... Mussina was left off the AL All-Star team despite a 9-3 record and 3.17 ERA. He also has 104 strikeouts. ``I'm not disappointed. I've had a good first half,'' he said. ``There's a lot of guys that deserved to go. It doesn't bother me. There's probably 10 or 12 starters in this league that have earned the right to go.''
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SAN FRANCISCO: Jason Schmidt, who is 6-3 with a 2.73 ERA, was named to the NL All-Star team. ``Sometimes you can't control the wins,'' he said. ``You just try to keep your team in the game and I think I've done that.''
SAN DIEGO: Closer Trevor Hoffman was named to the All-Star team for the fifth time, and starter Chris Young is one of five players vying for the final spot in a fan vote. It's Hoffman's first selection since 2002. ``Individual accomplishments are nice, but team accomplishments are better,'' he said. The Padres haven't had a player voted to the starting lineup since Tony Gwynn in 1999.