the yankees keep rolling
the royals blow another lead
jeff weaver hasn't missed a beat when it comes to losing
chipper jones streak ends tonight.
the royals blow another lead
jeff weaver hasn't missed a beat when it comes to losing
chipper jones streak ends tonight.
Notes from Monday's games
July 17, 2006
SEATTLE: Willie Bloomquist started at 2B and batted second, giving All-Star 2B Jose Lopez a rest in the sweltering New York heat after the Mariners lost consecutive extra-inning games in Toronto last weekend. ``A combination of giving Lopez a day off and getting Willie more playing time,'' manager Mike Hargrove said. He said Lopez would play Tuesday night and Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. ... The Mariners' plane was evacuated as it was preparing to take off from Toronto on Sunday night because of a fire on the conveyer belt used to load baggage. The team was pulled off the plane for about 20-30 minutes before re-boarding and flying to New York without any further trouble. ``As I understand it, the belt loader caught on fire. I don't think the plane was ever in danger,'' Hargrove said.
NEW YORK: CF Johnny Damon was back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday with stiffness in his calf. He came out of Saturday's blowout win against the White Sox in the seventh inning because of leg cramps. ... Injured 2B Robinson Cano is still feeling discomfort in his strained left hamstring and is not ready to play in a minor league rehab game yet, manager Joe Torre said. ... RHP Sidney Ponson is scheduled to make his Yankees debut Tuesday night against Seattle RHP Joel Pineiro (6-8, 5.94 ERA). Torre said the Yankees are looking for five or six innings out of Ponson, and long relievers Shawn Chacon and Kris Wilson will be ready in reserve if he falters early. ... RHP Octavio Dotel, working his way back from elbow surgery, is slated to pitch for Double-A Trenton on Tuesday and then for Class-A Staten Island on Thursday. If all goes well, he could join the Yankees early next week.
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TAMPA BAY: Ty Wigginton, who strained his back in Friday's game, has been on a day-to-day timetable since the injury but probably won't be available this week until Wednesday, manager Joe Maddon said. Originally, the Devil Rays were anticipating a Tuesday return. Last week's trade of Aubrey Huff to the Astros cleared the way for Wigginton to be the regular third baseman. ... LHP Scott Kazmir is scheduled to face Twins lefty Francisco Liriano on Tuesday, a matchup of two young All-Stars. In fact, it's only the second time since 1989, according to the team, that two 10-game winners ages 22 or younger have pitched against each other. It's the first involving two left-handers.
MINNESOTA: Nick Punto is proving his value to the Twins, who are dealing with a rash of injuries to outfielders since the All-Star break. Punto, who became the regular 3B last month when Tony Batista was released, has had chances to play a lot over the past two years but has a history of getting hurt. But last weekend, it was Punto - batting .311 entering Monday's game - filling in for Torii Hunter in center field and also in left field. ``I feel like I could play him anywhere,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said. ... Corner infielder Terry Tiffee rejoined the team Monday after his wife, Kelli, gave birth to twin sons, Talen and Brennan. Jason Kubel, who had an MRI on his sore right knee Monday, was in the lineup as the designated hitter with Rondell White getting his first start in left field. Rookie Josh Rabe, recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, is expected to start Tuesday either in left or as the DH.
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KANSAS CITY: RF Reggie Sanders was a late scratch from the lineup with a right groin strain. Emil Brown took his spot in the field and the cleanup spot. ... The prospects for the Royals, who have baseball's worst record, aren't likely to get much brighter. Of their 71 games starting Monday, 56 are against teams with winning records. ... Tony Graffanino, claimed off waivers from Boston on March 28, started at shortstop. ``It feels good coming back. It's always great to see these guys,'' he said. ``We were struggling early and it was tough. But we've been playing better lately.''
BOSTON: The pregame ceremonies had a celebrity flair with singer Meat Loaf and comedian Will Ferrell each throwing out a ceremonial first pitch and Susan Cowsill, a member of the now defunct singing group The Cowsills, singing the national anthem. Ferrell ran in from the bullpen wearing a Luis Tiant replica jersey. ... Tim Wakefield started with one extra day of rest to give him more time to rest his ailing back. ... The Red Sox passed the 1.5 million mark in attendance Monday in their 42nd home game, the earliest they've done that.
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OAKLAND: CF Mark Kotsay was named AL player of the week on Monday. Kotsay, out of Monday's starting lineup in Baltimore after hurting his knee in Boston, batted .556 (10-for-18) with a .772 slugging percentage in the four-game series against the Red Sox. He had five RBIs and 13 total bases during the series, but was surprised at the news. ``I didn't think I did anything out of the ordinary to be player of the week. I didn't (even) hit a home run,'' Kotsay said. ... 3B Eric Chavez was back in the starting lineup Monday after tendinitis in both elbows sidelined him in Boston. Chavez had missed eight of 14 games. ``He came to me and said he was ready to go,'' manager Ken Macha said. ``I hope this is it.''
BALTIMORE: DH Javy Lopez was held out of Monday's game with a sore lower back. Lopez spent time on the DL this season with back problems, and recently missed a few games with the same injury. He was replaced at DH by Jeff Conine, who drove in a third-inning run. ... 1B Kevin Millar has heard the rumors, but hopes to avoid being dealt before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Signed as a free agent in February, Millar said Monday, ``This is a situation where I chose to come here. I came here and I'd like to stay here.'' ... Russ Ortiz (0-1, 8.68 ERA) gets his third start with Baltimore on Tuesday. ``I think right now I'm at the point where I need to be,'' he said Monday.
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TEXAS: RF Brad Wilkerson didn't start against LHP Ted Lilly on Monday. Wilkerson is hitting .224 with two home runs and seven RBIs against LHPs, but manager Buck Showalter said he'll get opportunities to face them. ... Showalter said he'll try to rest his players as much as he can when the play on turf in Toronto, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. He said SS Michael Young will probably DH on Tuesday.
TORONTO: 3B Troy Glaus missed Monday's game with a sore right knee. Glaus received a cortisone shot and manager John Gibbons said he'll miss at least one or two games. ... INF Shea Hillenbrand has yet to return to the team after returning to Arizona to be with his wife. The two adopted a child. ... RHP Ty Taubenheim is out of the hospital after spending a couple of days receiving treatment for a staph infection in his left foot. The Blue Jays disinfected their clubhouse over the All-Star break after being forced to place Taubenheim on DL, the second Toronto player to be placed on the DL because of a staph infection. RF Alex Rios still hasn't rejoined the club since getting an infection in his lower left leg in late June.
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CLEVELAND: RHP Jake Westbrook entered Monday night's start leading the staff again in innings pitched with 116, after throwing more than 200 innings each of the previous two seasons. He is trying to join Rick Waits, Charles Nagy and knuckleballer Tom Candiotti as the only Indians since 1975 to work at least 200 innings in three or more consecutive seasons. ``It depends on Jake's workload,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``I mean, you're never going to put somebody in harm's way, but the ability for him to get a ground ball and a double play gives you a tendency to keep him out there a little bit more. He's been a very consistent starter for us. He takes good care of himself, he prepares to go out there and throw 100-plus pitches every time, and he wants to go as long as he can. He's also performed very well. So those are invaluable things to have, especially in this day and age - as thin as starting pitching is.'' ... DH Travis Hafner came into this series with 103 career home runs, 11 shy of Angels injured CF Darin Erstad for the most by a player born in North Dakota. Both players were born in Jamestown. Erstad, who is on the DL indefinitely because of ankle problems, does not have a home run in 91 at_bats this season.
LOS ANGELES: RHP Jered Weaver made a special request to a team official to have the video crew show brother Jeff's first start for the St. Louis Cardinals on the scoreboard during batting practice so he could see it. They did it just in time for Jered to see his older brother and former Angels teammate give up a grand slam to Atlanta's Brian McCann. ... The Angels finally made it official after days of speculation: Triple-A LHP Joe Saunders will make the spot start Tuesday for injured RHP Kelvim Escobar, who is expected to return to the rotation during the weekend. ``It would be nice to have a spot up here, but I know that's not going to happen this year,'' said Saunders, who will make his third big league start and appearance. ``It's not as much discouraging as it is frustrating. I mean, everybody tells me, `Hey, you can pitch for other teams in the big leagues.' But I'm pretty good at just blocking that out and doing the best I can every fifth day down in Salt Lake. That's all I can do because you're there and you have no place else to go.''
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WASHINGTON: The Nationals recalled RHP Tony Armas Jr. from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the 15-Day DL. They designated C Matthew LeCroy for assignment. The 28-year-old Armas is 6-4 with a 4.44 ERA in 15 starts in 2006. He went on the 15-Day DL June 23, retroactive to June 20, with a strained right forearm. Armas started for the Nationals on Monday. ... LeCroy hit .239 with two homers and nine RBIs in 39 games. He was 5-for-14 (.357) with eight walks as a pinch hitter. The 30 year-old made 13 starts: nine at catcher, two at first base and two as the designated hitter. The Nationals have 10 days to trade LeCroy, give him his release or send him to the minors. ... RHP Ryan Drese made his first rehab outing on Sunday since going on the 60-day DL April 15 with ligament soreness in his right elbow. He threw three scoreless innings at Double-A Harrisburg, allowing two hits, one walk and striking out two.
FLORIDA: The Marlins optioned RHP Yusmeiro Petit to Triple-A Albuquerque and recalled RHP Chris Resop from Triple-A. Resop was optioned to Albuquerque on July 4, and is 0-0, 3.38 ERA in seven games with Florida this season. He is 3-0, 4.42 ERA in 31 games at Triple-A this year. ``He (Petit) is a projected starter down the road,'' Marlins manager Joe Girardi said. ``There's not a lot of innings for him here.'' ... The Marlins made three spectacular catches in Sunday's game. CF Alfredo Amezaga, RF Jeremy Hermida, and LF Cody Ross each made late-inning grabs in Florida 9-3 win over Houston. ``They save pitches and save runs, it was nice to see,'' Girardi said.
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COLORADO: OF Jorge Piedra made his first start in center field since 2004. He made his first start in left since July 8, 2005, in Cincinnati. Manager Clint Hurdle said the moves were just an effort to get one of his few hot hitters in the lineup. The Rockies had lost seven in a row and scored only seven runs in being swept in three games by the Reds over the weekend. Piedra was 3-for-6 with a home run and three RBIs in the series. ``He's not the defensive player that (Cory) Sullivan or (Choo) Freeman is,'' Hurdle said. ``But right now he's a whole lot more offensive player than either one of those two.'' ... The Rockies had the lead in five of the seven consecutive losses and four of the defeats were decided in the seventh inning or later. ... The bullpen's ERA was 13.50 over that span, causing some second-guessing of Hurdle's decision to pull RHP Josh Fogg after seven innings and 104 pitches in 91-degree heat Sunday in Cincinnati. The bullpen turned a 3-1 lead in a 6-4 loss. ``If it's a cooler day, he's got less pitches, we can really roll the dice and give him an opportunity to (go deeper into games),'' Hurdle said.
PITTSBURGH: Manager Jim Tracy said he spoke with SS Jack Wilson to let him know how much he has appreciated his play since the All-Star break. Wilson, in his sixth year with Pittsburgh - the only club he has played for - has been mentioned in published reports as a possible candidate to be traded. Tracy denied this was the impetus for his conversation and said he simply was paying a compliment to the shortstop. ``I called the player in to laud him for what I've seen over the course of the first few games of the second half,'' Tracy said. ``I don't think there's a player that plays his position that anyone could ask more out of.'' ... Heading into Monday's game, the Pirates were 20-11 in home night games. They are 2-14 in day games at PNC Park and 10-36 on the road overall. ... After making two starts with the rookie-level Bradenton, first-round draft choice Brad Lincoln was promoted to Hickory, the organization's low-level full-season Class A team. Lincoln, who did not allow a run in 7 2-3 innings with Bradenton, is scheduled to start Wednesday against Lakewood.
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ATLANTA: LHP Chuck James is the first Braves pitcher to win his first four major league starts since Jesse Barnes of the Boston Braves won his last three starts at the end of 1915 and the first start of 1916, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. ... The Braves have won five of their last six series after dropping seven series in a row from May 29-June 22. They entered Monday night's game having scored 98 runs this month after totaling 94 runs in June. ... LHP Macay McBride led the NL by allowing only 14.8 percent (4-for-27) of his inherited runners to score.
ST. LOUIS: LHP Randy Flores was cleared to pitch, one day after a strenuous bullpen session in which he tested an elbow injury that had dogged him since before the All-Star break. He yielded four runs and five hits in one inning. ... Backup C Gary Bennett, who reinjured a strained left side muscle just before the break, expects to start on Tuesday. ``He's available and that's where it starts,'' manager Tony La Russa said. ... 3B Scott Rolen was back in the lineup after a day off. La Russa wanted to get his All-Star players a day off soon after the break, although SS David Eckstein hasn't had one yet. Eckstein was removed after the fifth inning on Monday... La Russa has the dugout bullpen phone from old Busch Stadium on a shelf in his office. ``It's nice and small and wasn't otherwise previously requested,'' La Russa said.
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LOS ANGELES: Manager Grady Little hinted that C Sandy Alomar's roster spot is not all that secure as the team looks to make moves before the trade deadline. ``When the time comes and we can better ourselves, that's a possibility,'' Little said when asked if Alomar's spot might be better used. ... INF Cesar Izturis was with his wife Monday when she delivered a girl. Little said Izturis might be back with the team by Wednesday. ... Dodgers rookies have 124 RBIs, second-most in the majors. Florida has the most at 221.
ARIZONA: With Conor Jackson out with a strained shoulder, Shawn Green started at first base, the first time he's played the position since Sept. 28, 2004, with the Dodgers against Colorado. ... Jackson was injured tagging Milwaukee's Prince Fielder in Sunday's 10-5 loss. An MRI on Monday was negative and Jackson could be back in the lineup on Tuesday, manager Bob Melvin said. ... Going into Monday's game, CF Eric Byrnes had not struck out in 40 appearances dating to July 2, the longest such streak in the majors, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
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PHILADELPHIA: LHP Randy Wolf continued his rehab Sunday, allowing one run in 3 1-3 innings in a start for Double-A Reading. He showed some rust, walking three and throwing two wild pitches. Wolf, who underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery on July 1, 2005, is expected to make at least two more starts in the minors. In his five rehab starts over the last month, Wolf is 0-1 with a 4.60 ERA. ... C Sal Fasano, on the DL since July 4 with left knee inflammation, could return by the end of the week. He began a rehab assignment Saturday with Single-A Clearwater and is hitting .143 (1-for-7) with one RBI. Fasano was hitting .243 with four home runs and 10 RBIs with the Phillies. When Fasano returns, the Phillies will likely reassign a pitcher, as they currently have 13 pitchers on the 25-man roster. ... Phillies starters have pitched at least seven innings in only 20 of the club's 90 games this season (22.2 percent) and just six times since May 30.
SAN DIEGO: RHP Chris Young was scheduled to have an MRI on his right foot Monday night. According to Padres manager Bruce Bochy, Young had a bone scan earlier Monday. He injured the top part of his right foot running down the first-base line in his last start Friday against Atlanta. ``There is some concern there, so we're going to get an MRI to see exactly what's going on,'' Bochy said, adding that Young's scheduled start on Wednesday afternoon against the Phillies is in question. ``The concern is that if it is stress fracture, that would mean he could miss a couple starts and could be put on the DL.'' ... The Padres activated left-handed reliever Alan Embree off the 15-day DL and designated right-handed reliever Brian Sikorski for assignment. Embree, 36, was placed on the DL July 2 with a strained left groin and missed nine games.
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MILWAUKEE: RHP Ben Sheets, who is rehabilitating from shoulder tendinitis, will make his third rehab start on Wednesday for Triple-A Nashville at Omaha. ... The Brewers brought their traveling sausage show for the races held each game at Miller Park. ... OF Tony Gwynn Jr., called up Saturday from Nashville to make his major league debut, is thrilled with his experience as a major leaguer so far. ``It has exceeded my expectations,'' he said. Giants skipper Felipe Alou was impressed with Gwynn during spring training. ``He showed me a lot of baseball savvy,'' Alou said.
SAN FRANCISCO: 2B Ray Durham, who left Sunday's game against Pittsburgh in the sixth inning with a jammed right shoulder, did some hitting, throwing and fielding before the game and was available to come off the bench. ``He's significantly improved from yesterday, and that's a good sign,'' trainer Stan Conte said. ``At this time of the year, we need to get him back out there.'' Durham, who hurt himself on an awkward swing, said he still had some soreness in the shoulder but hoped to be back in the starting lineup Tuesday night. ``Today it feels 100 percent better,'' he said. ... Manager Felipe Alou is baffled by the struggles of the NL West for yet a second straight season. The division was 3-14 since the All-Star break heading into Monday night's games. ``I have never heard of anything like that,'' he said. ``I don't believe five teams, five managers, five front offices ... I don't believe that's what it is.'' The Giants had one of those wins, too. ``We should be celebrating,'' Alou joked. ... Alou intended to start Steve Finley in CF on Tuesday.
July 17, 2006
SEATTLE: Willie Bloomquist started at 2B and batted second, giving All-Star 2B Jose Lopez a rest in the sweltering New York heat after the Mariners lost consecutive extra-inning games in Toronto last weekend. ``A combination of giving Lopez a day off and getting Willie more playing time,'' manager Mike Hargrove said. He said Lopez would play Tuesday night and Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. ... The Mariners' plane was evacuated as it was preparing to take off from Toronto on Sunday night because of a fire on the conveyer belt used to load baggage. The team was pulled off the plane for about 20-30 minutes before re-boarding and flying to New York without any further trouble. ``As I understand it, the belt loader caught on fire. I don't think the plane was ever in danger,'' Hargrove said.
NEW YORK: CF Johnny Damon was back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday with stiffness in his calf. He came out of Saturday's blowout win against the White Sox in the seventh inning because of leg cramps. ... Injured 2B Robinson Cano is still feeling discomfort in his strained left hamstring and is not ready to play in a minor league rehab game yet, manager Joe Torre said. ... RHP Sidney Ponson is scheduled to make his Yankees debut Tuesday night against Seattle RHP Joel Pineiro (6-8, 5.94 ERA). Torre said the Yankees are looking for five or six innings out of Ponson, and long relievers Shawn Chacon and Kris Wilson will be ready in reserve if he falters early. ... RHP Octavio Dotel, working his way back from elbow surgery, is slated to pitch for Double-A Trenton on Tuesday and then for Class-A Staten Island on Thursday. If all goes well, he could join the Yankees early next week.
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TAMPA BAY: Ty Wigginton, who strained his back in Friday's game, has been on a day-to-day timetable since the injury but probably won't be available this week until Wednesday, manager Joe Maddon said. Originally, the Devil Rays were anticipating a Tuesday return. Last week's trade of Aubrey Huff to the Astros cleared the way for Wigginton to be the regular third baseman. ... LHP Scott Kazmir is scheduled to face Twins lefty Francisco Liriano on Tuesday, a matchup of two young All-Stars. In fact, it's only the second time since 1989, according to the team, that two 10-game winners ages 22 or younger have pitched against each other. It's the first involving two left-handers.
MINNESOTA: Nick Punto is proving his value to the Twins, who are dealing with a rash of injuries to outfielders since the All-Star break. Punto, who became the regular 3B last month when Tony Batista was released, has had chances to play a lot over the past two years but has a history of getting hurt. But last weekend, it was Punto - batting .311 entering Monday's game - filling in for Torii Hunter in center field and also in left field. ``I feel like I could play him anywhere,'' manager Ron Gardenhire said. ... Corner infielder Terry Tiffee rejoined the team Monday after his wife, Kelli, gave birth to twin sons, Talen and Brennan. Jason Kubel, who had an MRI on his sore right knee Monday, was in the lineup as the designated hitter with Rondell White getting his first start in left field. Rookie Josh Rabe, recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, is expected to start Tuesday either in left or as the DH.
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KANSAS CITY: RF Reggie Sanders was a late scratch from the lineup with a right groin strain. Emil Brown took his spot in the field and the cleanup spot. ... The prospects for the Royals, who have baseball's worst record, aren't likely to get much brighter. Of their 71 games starting Monday, 56 are against teams with winning records. ... Tony Graffanino, claimed off waivers from Boston on March 28, started at shortstop. ``It feels good coming back. It's always great to see these guys,'' he said. ``We were struggling early and it was tough. But we've been playing better lately.''
BOSTON: The pregame ceremonies had a celebrity flair with singer Meat Loaf and comedian Will Ferrell each throwing out a ceremonial first pitch and Susan Cowsill, a member of the now defunct singing group The Cowsills, singing the national anthem. Ferrell ran in from the bullpen wearing a Luis Tiant replica jersey. ... Tim Wakefield started with one extra day of rest to give him more time to rest his ailing back. ... The Red Sox passed the 1.5 million mark in attendance Monday in their 42nd home game, the earliest they've done that.
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OAKLAND: CF Mark Kotsay was named AL player of the week on Monday. Kotsay, out of Monday's starting lineup in Baltimore after hurting his knee in Boston, batted .556 (10-for-18) with a .772 slugging percentage in the four-game series against the Red Sox. He had five RBIs and 13 total bases during the series, but was surprised at the news. ``I didn't think I did anything out of the ordinary to be player of the week. I didn't (even) hit a home run,'' Kotsay said. ... 3B Eric Chavez was back in the starting lineup Monday after tendinitis in both elbows sidelined him in Boston. Chavez had missed eight of 14 games. ``He came to me and said he was ready to go,'' manager Ken Macha said. ``I hope this is it.''
BALTIMORE: DH Javy Lopez was held out of Monday's game with a sore lower back. Lopez spent time on the DL this season with back problems, and recently missed a few games with the same injury. He was replaced at DH by Jeff Conine, who drove in a third-inning run. ... 1B Kevin Millar has heard the rumors, but hopes to avoid being dealt before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Signed as a free agent in February, Millar said Monday, ``This is a situation where I chose to come here. I came here and I'd like to stay here.'' ... Russ Ortiz (0-1, 8.68 ERA) gets his third start with Baltimore on Tuesday. ``I think right now I'm at the point where I need to be,'' he said Monday.
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TEXAS: RF Brad Wilkerson didn't start against LHP Ted Lilly on Monday. Wilkerson is hitting .224 with two home runs and seven RBIs against LHPs, but manager Buck Showalter said he'll get opportunities to face them. ... Showalter said he'll try to rest his players as much as he can when the play on turf in Toronto, Minnesota and Tampa Bay. He said SS Michael Young will probably DH on Tuesday.
TORONTO: 3B Troy Glaus missed Monday's game with a sore right knee. Glaus received a cortisone shot and manager John Gibbons said he'll miss at least one or two games. ... INF Shea Hillenbrand has yet to return to the team after returning to Arizona to be with his wife. The two adopted a child. ... RHP Ty Taubenheim is out of the hospital after spending a couple of days receiving treatment for a staph infection in his left foot. The Blue Jays disinfected their clubhouse over the All-Star break after being forced to place Taubenheim on DL, the second Toronto player to be placed on the DL because of a staph infection. RF Alex Rios still hasn't rejoined the club since getting an infection in his lower left leg in late June.
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CLEVELAND: RHP Jake Westbrook entered Monday night's start leading the staff again in innings pitched with 116, after throwing more than 200 innings each of the previous two seasons. He is trying to join Rick Waits, Charles Nagy and knuckleballer Tom Candiotti as the only Indians since 1975 to work at least 200 innings in three or more consecutive seasons. ``It depends on Jake's workload,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``I mean, you're never going to put somebody in harm's way, but the ability for him to get a ground ball and a double play gives you a tendency to keep him out there a little bit more. He's been a very consistent starter for us. He takes good care of himself, he prepares to go out there and throw 100-plus pitches every time, and he wants to go as long as he can. He's also performed very well. So those are invaluable things to have, especially in this day and age - as thin as starting pitching is.'' ... DH Travis Hafner came into this series with 103 career home runs, 11 shy of Angels injured CF Darin Erstad for the most by a player born in North Dakota. Both players were born in Jamestown. Erstad, who is on the DL indefinitely because of ankle problems, does not have a home run in 91 at_bats this season.
LOS ANGELES: RHP Jered Weaver made a special request to a team official to have the video crew show brother Jeff's first start for the St. Louis Cardinals on the scoreboard during batting practice so he could see it. They did it just in time for Jered to see his older brother and former Angels teammate give up a grand slam to Atlanta's Brian McCann. ... The Angels finally made it official after days of speculation: Triple-A LHP Joe Saunders will make the spot start Tuesday for injured RHP Kelvim Escobar, who is expected to return to the rotation during the weekend. ``It would be nice to have a spot up here, but I know that's not going to happen this year,'' said Saunders, who will make his third big league start and appearance. ``It's not as much discouraging as it is frustrating. I mean, everybody tells me, `Hey, you can pitch for other teams in the big leagues.' But I'm pretty good at just blocking that out and doing the best I can every fifth day down in Salt Lake. That's all I can do because you're there and you have no place else to go.''
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WASHINGTON: The Nationals recalled RHP Tony Armas Jr. from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the 15-Day DL. They designated C Matthew LeCroy for assignment. The 28-year-old Armas is 6-4 with a 4.44 ERA in 15 starts in 2006. He went on the 15-Day DL June 23, retroactive to June 20, with a strained right forearm. Armas started for the Nationals on Monday. ... LeCroy hit .239 with two homers and nine RBIs in 39 games. He was 5-for-14 (.357) with eight walks as a pinch hitter. The 30 year-old made 13 starts: nine at catcher, two at first base and two as the designated hitter. The Nationals have 10 days to trade LeCroy, give him his release or send him to the minors. ... RHP Ryan Drese made his first rehab outing on Sunday since going on the 60-day DL April 15 with ligament soreness in his right elbow. He threw three scoreless innings at Double-A Harrisburg, allowing two hits, one walk and striking out two.
FLORIDA: The Marlins optioned RHP Yusmeiro Petit to Triple-A Albuquerque and recalled RHP Chris Resop from Triple-A. Resop was optioned to Albuquerque on July 4, and is 0-0, 3.38 ERA in seven games with Florida this season. He is 3-0, 4.42 ERA in 31 games at Triple-A this year. ``He (Petit) is a projected starter down the road,'' Marlins manager Joe Girardi said. ``There's not a lot of innings for him here.'' ... The Marlins made three spectacular catches in Sunday's game. CF Alfredo Amezaga, RF Jeremy Hermida, and LF Cody Ross each made late-inning grabs in Florida 9-3 win over Houston. ``They save pitches and save runs, it was nice to see,'' Girardi said.
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COLORADO: OF Jorge Piedra made his first start in center field since 2004. He made his first start in left since July 8, 2005, in Cincinnati. Manager Clint Hurdle said the moves were just an effort to get one of his few hot hitters in the lineup. The Rockies had lost seven in a row and scored only seven runs in being swept in three games by the Reds over the weekend. Piedra was 3-for-6 with a home run and three RBIs in the series. ``He's not the defensive player that (Cory) Sullivan or (Choo) Freeman is,'' Hurdle said. ``But right now he's a whole lot more offensive player than either one of those two.'' ... The Rockies had the lead in five of the seven consecutive losses and four of the defeats were decided in the seventh inning or later. ... The bullpen's ERA was 13.50 over that span, causing some second-guessing of Hurdle's decision to pull RHP Josh Fogg after seven innings and 104 pitches in 91-degree heat Sunday in Cincinnati. The bullpen turned a 3-1 lead in a 6-4 loss. ``If it's a cooler day, he's got less pitches, we can really roll the dice and give him an opportunity to (go deeper into games),'' Hurdle said.
PITTSBURGH: Manager Jim Tracy said he spoke with SS Jack Wilson to let him know how much he has appreciated his play since the All-Star break. Wilson, in his sixth year with Pittsburgh - the only club he has played for - has been mentioned in published reports as a possible candidate to be traded. Tracy denied this was the impetus for his conversation and said he simply was paying a compliment to the shortstop. ``I called the player in to laud him for what I've seen over the course of the first few games of the second half,'' Tracy said. ``I don't think there's a player that plays his position that anyone could ask more out of.'' ... Heading into Monday's game, the Pirates were 20-11 in home night games. They are 2-14 in day games at PNC Park and 10-36 on the road overall. ... After making two starts with the rookie-level Bradenton, first-round draft choice Brad Lincoln was promoted to Hickory, the organization's low-level full-season Class A team. Lincoln, who did not allow a run in 7 2-3 innings with Bradenton, is scheduled to start Wednesday against Lakewood.
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ATLANTA: LHP Chuck James is the first Braves pitcher to win his first four major league starts since Jesse Barnes of the Boston Braves won his last three starts at the end of 1915 and the first start of 1916, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. ... The Braves have won five of their last six series after dropping seven series in a row from May 29-June 22. They entered Monday night's game having scored 98 runs this month after totaling 94 runs in June. ... LHP Macay McBride led the NL by allowing only 14.8 percent (4-for-27) of his inherited runners to score.
ST. LOUIS: LHP Randy Flores was cleared to pitch, one day after a strenuous bullpen session in which he tested an elbow injury that had dogged him since before the All-Star break. He yielded four runs and five hits in one inning. ... Backup C Gary Bennett, who reinjured a strained left side muscle just before the break, expects to start on Tuesday. ``He's available and that's where it starts,'' manager Tony La Russa said. ... 3B Scott Rolen was back in the lineup after a day off. La Russa wanted to get his All-Star players a day off soon after the break, although SS David Eckstein hasn't had one yet. Eckstein was removed after the fifth inning on Monday... La Russa has the dugout bullpen phone from old Busch Stadium on a shelf in his office. ``It's nice and small and wasn't otherwise previously requested,'' La Russa said.
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LOS ANGELES: Manager Grady Little hinted that C Sandy Alomar's roster spot is not all that secure as the team looks to make moves before the trade deadline. ``When the time comes and we can better ourselves, that's a possibility,'' Little said when asked if Alomar's spot might be better used. ... INF Cesar Izturis was with his wife Monday when she delivered a girl. Little said Izturis might be back with the team by Wednesday. ... Dodgers rookies have 124 RBIs, second-most in the majors. Florida has the most at 221.
ARIZONA: With Conor Jackson out with a strained shoulder, Shawn Green started at first base, the first time he's played the position since Sept. 28, 2004, with the Dodgers against Colorado. ... Jackson was injured tagging Milwaukee's Prince Fielder in Sunday's 10-5 loss. An MRI on Monday was negative and Jackson could be back in the lineup on Tuesday, manager Bob Melvin said. ... Going into Monday's game, CF Eric Byrnes had not struck out in 40 appearances dating to July 2, the longest such streak in the majors, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
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PHILADELPHIA: LHP Randy Wolf continued his rehab Sunday, allowing one run in 3 1-3 innings in a start for Double-A Reading. He showed some rust, walking three and throwing two wild pitches. Wolf, who underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery on July 1, 2005, is expected to make at least two more starts in the minors. In his five rehab starts over the last month, Wolf is 0-1 with a 4.60 ERA. ... C Sal Fasano, on the DL since July 4 with left knee inflammation, could return by the end of the week. He began a rehab assignment Saturday with Single-A Clearwater and is hitting .143 (1-for-7) with one RBI. Fasano was hitting .243 with four home runs and 10 RBIs with the Phillies. When Fasano returns, the Phillies will likely reassign a pitcher, as they currently have 13 pitchers on the 25-man roster. ... Phillies starters have pitched at least seven innings in only 20 of the club's 90 games this season (22.2 percent) and just six times since May 30.
SAN DIEGO: RHP Chris Young was scheduled to have an MRI on his right foot Monday night. According to Padres manager Bruce Bochy, Young had a bone scan earlier Monday. He injured the top part of his right foot running down the first-base line in his last start Friday against Atlanta. ``There is some concern there, so we're going to get an MRI to see exactly what's going on,'' Bochy said, adding that Young's scheduled start on Wednesday afternoon against the Phillies is in question. ``The concern is that if it is stress fracture, that would mean he could miss a couple starts and could be put on the DL.'' ... The Padres activated left-handed reliever Alan Embree off the 15-day DL and designated right-handed reliever Brian Sikorski for assignment. Embree, 36, was placed on the DL July 2 with a strained left groin and missed nine games.
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MILWAUKEE: RHP Ben Sheets, who is rehabilitating from shoulder tendinitis, will make his third rehab start on Wednesday for Triple-A Nashville at Omaha. ... The Brewers brought their traveling sausage show for the races held each game at Miller Park. ... OF Tony Gwynn Jr., called up Saturday from Nashville to make his major league debut, is thrilled with his experience as a major leaguer so far. ``It has exceeded my expectations,'' he said. Giants skipper Felipe Alou was impressed with Gwynn during spring training. ``He showed me a lot of baseball savvy,'' Alou said.
SAN FRANCISCO: 2B Ray Durham, who left Sunday's game against Pittsburgh in the sixth inning with a jammed right shoulder, did some hitting, throwing and fielding before the game and was available to come off the bench. ``He's significantly improved from yesterday, and that's a good sign,'' trainer Stan Conte said. ``At this time of the year, we need to get him back out there.'' Durham, who hurt himself on an awkward swing, said he still had some soreness in the shoulder but hoped to be back in the starting lineup Tuesday night. ``Today it feels 100 percent better,'' he said. ... Manager Felipe Alou is baffled by the struggles of the NL West for yet a second straight season. The division was 3-14 since the All-Star break heading into Monday night's games. ``I have never heard of anything like that,'' he said. ``I don't believe five teams, five managers, five front offices ... I don't believe that's what it is.'' The Giants had one of those wins, too. ``We should be celebrating,'' Alou joked. ... Alou intended to start Steve Finley in CF on Tuesday.