Notes from Wednesday's games
August 2, 2006
TEXAS: A strong start by Kip Wells in his Rangers debut gave the team a series win over the Twins and got them back to the .500 mark. ``I hope we're catching him at a good time,'' manager Buck Showalter said. ``His start bodes well to take a load off our bullpen.'' ... Texas turned a franchise-record six double plays in Wednesday's game. The previous best was five, done four times. ... The Rangers won the season series against Minnesota 5-4. ... Mark Teixeira has eight homers in 20 games after the All-Star break after hitting only nine in 88 games before it.
MINNESOTA: Manager Ron Gardenhire went back to the hospital Wednesday to receive intravenous fluids while he's fighting an infection that's causing inflammation in his stomach. Team physician Dr. Vijay Eyunni said Gardenhire should be discharged Thursday, however, and could return to the dugout for Friday's game at Kansas City. ... The Twins tied a team record for a nine-inning game by hitting into six double plays. One of them was a strikeout and caught stealing. ... After scoring 15 runs in the first six innings against the Rangers on Monday, the Twins were outscored 21-2. ... RHP Mike Smith, recalled to replace righty Boof Bonser on the roster after Wednesday's game, will be an emergency backup for Brad Radke on Thursday in case the veteran has more problems with his chronically sore shoulder. If he doesn't start Thursday, Smith should start on Sunday against Kansas City. ... OF Lew Ford (right oblique) was set to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester this week.
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SEATTLE: RHP Mark Lowe threw two more scoreless innings against the Orioles on Wednesday, extending his shutout streak to 12 1-3 innings in the first 10 games of his major league career. For this first time, however, he let an inherited runner score, yielding a sixth-inning RBI single to Jay Gibbons. ``You're going to give up hits, and eventually I'm going to give up a run. I just have everything going for me.'' ... RHP Felix Hernandez surrendered the first triple of his brief career Wednesday to Baltimore's Corey Patterson. ... Seattle has won eight of 13 series and 11 of 16. ... The Mariners' bullpen allowed two earned runs in 14 1-3 innings on their six-game road trip, a 1.10 ERA.
BALTIMORE: Erik Bedard lost for the first time since June 11 on Wednesday, despite allowing only two runs in 5 1-3 innings against Seattle. Bedard had won seven straight decisions over eight starts before Wednesday. ... Ten of the Orioles' last 11 games have been decided by two runs for fewer. They are 15-10 in one-run games. ... RHP Kris Benson threw on the side Wednesday after received a cortisone shot in his ailing right elbow. The team will decide on Friday whether to put him on the DL; he hasn't pitched since July 25.
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OAKLAND: The Athletics improved to a major league-best 21-17 in one-run games with their 3-2 victory over the Angels. ... Houston Street got a two-inning save on his 23rd birthday. He retired Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera in the either before retiring the side in order again in the ninth. ``He had two days off, we have tomorrow off, we're going through the middle of their lineup, and you'd like to have your best pitcher out there against the middle of the lineup.'' manager Ken Macha said. ``I like having him available for more than an inning.'' ... Mark Kotsay's go-ahead RBI single extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... Nick Swisher, who converted from LF to 1B this season, somersaulted over the barrier in front of the A's dugout trying to catch a foul pop by Vladimir Guerrero. He kept his hand on the railing and landed on his feet. .. SS Bobby Crosby missed his third straight game with a sore back.
LOS ANGELES: RHP John Lackey was selected AL pitcher of the month for July - just two months after completing the first winless month of his five-year big league career. It was the first such award for Lackey, who was 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in July - including a one-hitter at Oakland in which he retired 27 in a row after a leadoff double by Mark Kotsay. Lackey is the seventh different pitcher in Angels history to win that award, joining Bartolo Colon, Chuck Finley, Mike Witt, Geoff Zahn, Frank Tanana and Nolan Ryan. ... Manager Mike Scioscia isn't too concerned about rookie Mike Napoli's shrinking batting average (.247) because his work behind the plate is more than compensating for it. ``Our focus is always on the defensive aspect of the catcher's position,'' said Scioscia, a two-time All-Star backstop. ``Nap has great communication skills and he had the ability to make adjustments - not just from game to game, but inning to inning and pitch to pitch. He's made a quick study of our pitchers and he retains stuff very well. His throwing times are good, and he does it with an average arm.''
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TORONTO: LHP Ted Lilly was lifted after 5 1-3 innings. The last Blue Jays starter besides Roy Halladay to pitch into the seventh was RHP A.J. Burnett on July 21 against the New York Yankees. ... All-Star CF Vernon Wells singled in the sixth inning and has reached base safely in each of his past 21 games. ... Eric Hinske's two-out double in the fourth gave the Blue Jays at least one double in each of their last 14 games.
NEW YORK: Before batting practice, injured RHP Carl Pavano faced a few hitters and threw about 45 pitches from the Yankee Stadium mound, including sliders and splitters. If he doesn't have another setback, he could be ready to begin a rehab assignment late this month, manager Joe Torre said. ``We're on our way,'' Torre said. ... New RF Bobby Abreu singled in the first inning for his first hit with the Yankees. He doubled in the third. ... Craig Wilson, acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh just before the non-waiver deadline Monday, started at 1B in his first appearance for the Yankees. He singled in the fourth and sixth. ... With a day game coming up Thursday, Jason Giambi got a scheduled night off against LHP Ted Lilly. Giambi also was still feeling tight after leaving Tuesday night's game with cramps in his right leg. Giambi is slated to be the DH on Thursday.
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CLEVELAND: C.C. Sabathia's 77 wins are the most of any active pitcher under the age of 27 and the third most ever for an Indians left-hander. ... Victor Martinez homered in the first inning for his 12th of the year.
BOSTON: DH David Ortiz was selected AL player of the month for July after hitting 14 homers and driving in 35 runs. ... The Red Sox provided ``rain rooms'' where fans could cool off and free cups of water, but temperatures that had been above 100 degrees during the day, cooled to 82 degrees at game time. ... RHP Manny Delcarmen, who hasn't pitched since Friday night because of a thumb injury, was available in the bullpen. ... The Red Sox are hoping RHP Keith Foulke can get back on a mound tomorrow. He has not pitched in the majors since June 11, and he was scratched from a rehab appearance on Sunday because of a stiff back. ... The Red Sox selected RHP Jason Johnson as their probable starter for Sunday. RHP Kyle Snyder, who pitched 4 1-3 scoreless innings in relief for the win on Monday, will work out of the bullpen.
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DETROIT: C Ivan Rodriguez (sore right thumb) was out of the lineup for the fifth time in the past seven games. ``It's a little sore,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``He's ready to play today, but I'm going to give him a little rest. He'll probably play tomorrow. Trying to do what you think is best. He could play tonight, no question.'' ... OF Brent Clevlen was given both of his first two career major league homers he hit into a non-seating area of center field Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. ``It took a while to fall asleep last night ... 4 a.m.,'' Clevlen said Wednesday. ``Just laying in bed watching TV.''
TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon is still planning on LHP Scott Kazmir (left shoulder inflammation) to rejoin the rotation on Aug. 8. Kazmir is throwing on level ground, but hasn't resumed working off a mound. ... CF Rocco Baldelli, who left Tuesday's game after being hit in the right biceps by a pitch, was in the starting lineup. ``Everything is fine,'' Maddon said. ``Maybe a little sore, but he wanted to go. I don't expect it to be a problem.''
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CHICAGO: SS Juan Uribe, who did not play on Tuesday after committing three errors in his previous six games, was back in the lineup on Wednesday. Manager Ozzie Guillen said he talked with Uribe. ``To make them better to be the best they can everyday,'' Guillen said. ``It is not easy to show up with a smile on your face everyday, especially if you're struggling when it is hot and you're not playing good. Everything went well. I see those kids like they are all my kids. I tell them why, what's going on and what we need to get it done. I had a great conversation. I let him know my view, the way I look at it. I don't do it just with Uribe, but to anybody, just to make my team better and make them play the best baseball they can ever day.'' ... Ross Gload started his 10th game at first base, with 1B Paul Konerko out with a bruise above his left elbow, where he was hit by a pitch on Tuesday. ...The White Sox entered hitting a major league-leading .309 average with runners in scoring position.
KANSAS CITY: DH Mike Sweeney, who has not played since May 1 because of a bulging disc, might be activated by Tuesday. Manager Buddy Bell said Sweeney would continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha through the weekend and the club would reevaluate his progress on Monday, an off day for the Royals. Sweeney went 3-for-4 with a home run on Tuesday for Double-A Wichita in a 10-7 loss Arkansas. ... RHP Mike Wood, who has missed 27 games with a bad back, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. It was his first time to throw off the mound since immediately after the All-Star break, when he had a setback and received a cortisone shot. ... 1B Doug Mientkiewicz received a shot on Tuesday for his lower back strain and might be able to begin some baseball activities on Thursday. ``My back feels great,'' Mientkiewicz said. ``You feel like you are totally useless on the disabled list.''
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WASHINGTON: Alfonso Soriano homered twice to drive in three runs, his fourth multihomer game this season and 15th of his career. He led off the game with a shot to the arcade in right-center - his seventh leadoff homer and 30th of his career, and the second for him against the Giants. He hit a two-run homer off Steve Kline in the seventh. ... Tony Armas lost for the fourth time in five starts and was done after his fourth-inning wild pitch allowed Randy Winn to score from third. Armas failed to go four innings for the second straight start. He is 1-4 in five career starts against the Giants, and he earned that lone victory in his last outing against San Francisco - way back on May 12, 2002. ... Rookie RHP reliever Saul Rivera had his first career at-bat and struck out in the fifth.
SAN FRANCISCO: C Mike Matheny has made little progress in his recovery from a concussion and will not play again this season. After another series of tests and appointments with specialists at the University of Pittsburgh last week, Matheny and the Giants' medical staff made the difficult decision that he should spend the rest of 2006 recovering to reduce the risk of further damage to his brain. ... Barry Bonds missed his second straight game with swelling in his right knee, though manager Felipe Alou was optimistic the slugger would be back in the lineup Friday for the opener of a weekend series against the Colorado Rockies following the team's off day Thursday. ``I feel all right,'' the 42-year-old Bonds said while making his way to the trainer's room to ice his knee, which underwent three operations last year and limited him to 14 games in 2005. ... Shea Hillenbrand hit his first home run as a member of the Giants and 13th overall with a solo shot in the seventh. He was acquired in a trade from Toronto on July 21.
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NEW YORK: SS Jose Reyes hit his 10th homer Tuesday to join Mookie Wilson (1984) as the only Mets to reach double figures in homers, triples, doubles and stolen bases in the same season. ... OF Lastings Milledge was not in the lineup Wednesday but was available to play after scraping his left hand when spiked Tuesday.
FLORIDA: OF Josh Willingham's game-winning homer Tuesday against the Mets gave him 16 home runs this season, tying him with Miguel Cabrera and Dan Uggla for the team lead. ... LHP Scott Olsen's run-scoring double Tuesday gave Marlins pitchers 22 RBIs, most in the major leagues. ... LHP Dontrelle Willis, scheduled to pitch Thursday against Pedro Martinez and the Mets, has a 9-2 record and 2.08 ERA in 14 starts against New York.
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ATLANTA: RHP Ken Ray missed the game Wednesday night to attend a grandmother's funeral, but the team did not seek a bereavement leave for him because he is expected back Thursday. ... RHP Kyle Davies, out since straining his groin May 15, pitched two scoreless innings in his first rehabilitation start for Double-A Mississippi against Carolina on Tuesday night. ... The Braves' 14 victories when Tim Hudson (8-9) starts are the most of any of their starters. They are 12-11 when John Smoltz starts. Hudson pitches Thursday against the Pirates, who beat him twice in two starts last season. He gave up seven runs and 14 hits in 13 1-3 innings in the two starts.
PITTSBURGH: RHP Shawn Chacon starts Thursday against Atlanta, his first start for the Pirates since being acquired Monday from the Yankees for OF-1B Craig Wilson. Chacon was 4-3 with a 6.58 ERA in 11 starts for the Yankees and is 0-3 with a 5.54 ERA in six career appearances against Atlanta. Chacon has not started since July 6. ... OF-1B Xavier Nady continues to play with a fractured right wrist, an injury that occurred five weeks ago with the Mets. At the time, Nady was told the injury would heal in about three weeks if he stopped playing and eight weeks if he didn't. Nady has started at 1B in each of his first two games with the Pirates.
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LOS ANGELES: Good health is one reason Rafael Furcal has gotten hot enough to string together an eight-game hitting streak. Furcal had knee surgery in January. ``Earlier in the year, those first couple of months, I don't think I was 100 percent, but since the start of the second half, everything has started to come together,'' he said. ``My leg feels better. Everything feels better right now.'' ... To ease a glut of starting pitchers, manager Grady Little moved RHP Aaron Sele to the bullpen. ``We know the job he's done for us, and we know he can help us down there,'' Little said. Only seven of Sele's 358 career appearances have been in relief, including two this season. The rotation became crowded Monday when Los Angeles acquired RHP Greg Maddux.
CINCINNATI: RHP Kyle Lohse was happy to hear that he would be starting Saturday against Atlanta. ``That's great news,'' said Lohse, acquired Monday from Minnesota. Lohse opened the season in the Twins' rotation before being optioned to Triple-A Rochester after allowing six hits and five runs in 2 2-3 innings of a 7-4 loss at Detroit on May 16. He pitched in relief after being recalled in June. ... LHP Brandon Claussen had hoped to start Saturday, and he will - for Louisville at Toledo in a rehab appearance. Claussen has been on the DL since June 17 with rotator cuff tendinitis. ``Whatever decision they make regarding my future, I respect,'' said Claussen, adding that he felt fine after ``airing it out'' for 15 minutes Wednesday in the bullpen.
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ARIZONA: OF Eric Byrnes was in the lineup a day after crashing hard into the right-center field wall at Wrigley Field. Although most stadiums have padded walls, Wrigley Field's outfield is composed of brick with ivy on the exterior. Byrnes was complaining about the lack of padding after Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Cubs and his manager Bob Melvin understood why. ``Once (Byrnes) didn't go down after a few seconds, I realized he was going to make it,'' Melvin said. ``You don't want to say that there's padding due to the ivy. That's a dangerous wall out there.'' ... Although the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline has past, Arizona's front office is still scanning the waiver wire looking for any possible additions down the stretch. Melvin was unsure if the right opportunity would present itself in the coming month. ``It just depends who shows up on waivers,'' he said. ``I know they're constantly watching that and a lot of teams are putting in claims, either to block or try to put in a claim on a guy you potentially want. ... There are a lot of things that still could happen. It's just a little more difficult to do now.'' ... Rookie OF Carlos Quentin has had quite a start to his big league career, batting .320 with four homers and 11 RBI in only 25 plate appearances. He's also been productive off the bench with a homer and two doubles in five pinch-hit at_bats. ``He's fit in right away,'' Melvin said. ``He's been a productive guy. The thing that's surprised me the most about him is that he's been productive coming off the bench. He's gotten big hits off the bench.''
CHICAGO: RHP Kerry Wood has made a decision on if he will have surgery on his shoulder, said team trainer Mark O'Neal, but Wood has not yet publicly announced his decision. Wood has a partially torn rotator cuff and could miss the rest of the season ... Cubs manager Dusty Baker is still unsure who will start Thursday afternoon against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The spot in the rotation was vacated by Greg Maddux, who was traded on Monday. A possibility is RHP Juan Mateo, who was recalled from Double-A West Tenn. on Tuesday. Mateo pitched in 18 games and started 17 of them for West Tenn. He had a 7-4 record with a 2.28 ERA. The other option is recalling a starter from Triple-A Iowa, but they are currently playing in Las Vegas this week.
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PHILADELPHIA: Despite a 50-55 record, the Phillies began the night only 4 1/2 games back in the wild-card race. Manager Charlie Manuel said he hasn't given up on this season. ``I've been in the game a long time and if you play right, you play hard, things go your way, you never know,'' Manuel said. ``Shhh, don't tell anybody.'' ... The Phillies are high on 22-year-old RHP Scott Mathieson, who won his first career game on Tuesday. ``He's definitely got to get more consistent command but I like the kid,'' Manuel said. Mathieson said it was so humid during his five-inning stint that he went through five or six shirts and two hats. ``Every inning I changed it, I was just drenched,'' he said.
ST. LOUIS: A day after LHP Mark Mulder threw a three-inning simulated game, the Cardinals were still undecided whether he was ready to begin a rehab assignment. He hasn't pitched since June 20 due to a shoulder injury. The team has discussed him pitching somewhere on Sunday. ... Utilityman Scott Spiezio rejoined the team after missing Tuesday's game to attend to what manager Tony La Russa referred to as a ``personal family issue.'' ... La Russa is a bit perplexed about the team's highs and lows. They entered Wednesday's game with a five-game losing streak and lost eight in a row in June. ``We've been a very consistent team and now it's happened twice. I need more of a body of evidence,'' he said. ``I'm not convinced we're going to be an up and down club.''
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MILWAUKEE: OF Tony Gwynn made his first major start, giving Brady Clark a night off in center field. ``It was time,'' manager Ned Yost said. ``He gives us another left-handed bat in the lineup.'' Besides Clark, starters 3B David Bell and OF Kevin Mench were also out of the starting lineup. ``I had to give Brady a break because he's played a lot since the All-Star game,'' Yost said. ``The others needed some time off.'' ... Yost said he thought his club had an advantage over Colorado's bullpen that includes four left-handers.
COLORADO: The acquisition of LHP Jeremy Affeldt gives Colorado a pitcher it lacked. ``Jeremy is someone that can be stretched out,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ``He can be a spot starter or a long reliever.'' ... 3B Garrett Atkins out of the starting lineup for only the fourth time in 107 games. ``Garrett needed a rest,'' Hurdle said. ... The Rockies depart on a seven-game, all NL West Division road trip with stops in San Francisco and Los Angeles. ``The challenge is in front of us,'' Hurdle said. ... With the offense limited to 21 runs in its last five games at Coors Field, Hurdle promised to be more aggressive on the base paths. ``We won't wait for things to happen,'' he said.
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Notes from Wednesday's games
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