Notes from Friday's games
April 21, 2006
BALTIMORE: Brian Roberts returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since he dislocated his left elbow last Sept. 20 in a collision at first base with Bubba Crosby. Roberts hit .417 with five homers and 15 RBIs against the Yankees last year. ... Baltimore entered 14-for-14 in stolen-base attempts. ... The Orioles already have six players on the DL: OF David Newhan (broken leg), LHP Tim Byrdak (bone chip, left elbow), RHP Aaron Rakers (torn right labrum), RHP Todd Williams (inflamed right shoulder), OF Luis Matos (inflamed right shoulder), LHP John Parrish (elbow surgery). ... The Orioles faced the Yankees for the first time since Lee Mazzilli, fired as Baltimore's manager last summer, was hired as New York's bench coach.
NEW YORK: RHP Octavio Dotel, recovering from elbow surgery last year, was scratched from his second extended spring training appearance because of right elbow soreness. ``It's nothing major,'' Dotel said. ``It's a little sore.'' Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Dotel won't pitch for a week. ... RHP Carl Pavano (bruised buttocks) is scheduled for a bullpen session Saturday. ... RHP Ramiro Mendoza (shoulder) allowed two solo homers in two innings of an extended spring game. His fastball averaged 86 mph, an increase from 84 mph on Wednesday.
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BOSTON: OF Manny Ramirez entered Friday's game with the most career home runs versus the Blue Jays than any other player (47). ... Utilityman Willie Harris started in CF a day after having his contract purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket. Harris played for the World Series champion Chicago White Sox last season, batting .256 with one homer, eight RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 56 games. He played in one game against Boston in the first round and two against Houston in the World Series, scoring the only run in Chicago's 1-0 Game 4 victory that completed a sweep of the Astros.
TORONTO: RHP A.J. Burnett left after four innings. He allowed three runs on five hits in four innings. He threw 78 pitches. Burnett, who signed a $55 million, five-year deal with the Blue Jays in the offseason after spending seven seasons with the Florida Marlins, began the season on the DL after scar tissue broke off in his elbow March 18 during spring training. He threw 95 pitches in his first start - a 4-2 loss to Chicago. ... RF Alex Rios had five home runs. It wasn't until June 21 last year that Rios reached five homers.
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TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon said RHP Edwin Jackson will be called up from Triple-A Durham to start Saturday's game. ... Scott Kazmir became the first left-hander since World War I to beat the Boston Red Sox three times at Fenway Park before his 23rd birthday. Kazmir does not turn 23 until next January.
TEXAS: 2B Drew Meyer, the Rangers' first-round pick in 2002, made his major league debut batting ninth Friday night. Meyer joined the team this week when Mark DeRosa was put on the DL. Rookie 2B Ian Kinsler (.476), the opening day starter, is also on the DL because of a dislocated left thumb. ... Right-handers Adam Eaton (sprained middle right finger) and Josh Rupe (right elbow inflammation) have both been transferred to the 60-day DL. Both would eligible to return any time after June 1.
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CLEVELAND: RHP Matt Miller, who was placed on the DL Thursday, will have surgery on Wednesday to repair his right flexor tendon in his elbow and will be out four to six months. It is doubtful whether he will pitch again this season. Miller, who had a 5.63 ERA in six relief appearances, left the game Wednesday at Baltimore with the injury. ... The Indians placed RHP Rafael Betancourt on the 15-day DL with a strained right latissimus dorsi muscle. To replace Betancourt, who had a 6.43 ERA in eight relief appearances, the Indians called up rookie RHP Brian Slocum, a 2002 second-round pick, from Triple-A Buffalo, where he had a 1.93 ERA in five relief appearances.
KANSAS CITY: The Royals placed OF David DeJesus, who had been limited to seven games because of a strained left hamstring, on the 15-day DL. ... The Royals promoted RHP Joe Nelson from Triple-A Omaha, where he was 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in five relief appearances. His promotion gives the Royals a 12-man pitching staff. ... The Royals moved RHP Mike MacDougal, who has a strained right shoulder, from the 15-day DL to the 60-day. ... 2B Mark Grudzielanek, who did not play on Wednesday because of a sore Achilles' tendon, returned to the lineup on Friday. ...The Royals named their Kauffman Stadium press box after Baseball Hall of Fame writer Joe McGuff. McGuff, a former sports editor for the Kansas City Star, was selected in 1986 to the writers' wing of the Hall in Cooperstown, N.Y.
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MINNESOTA: 2B Luis Castillo, who aggravated a sore right knee in Thursday's game, was out of the lineup Friday and Nick Punto filled in. That wasn't the only change. LF Shannon Stewart was not with the team after his wife gave birth to a daughter Thursday. So manager Ron Gardenhire moved veteran DH Rondell White to left field and used another veteran, Ruben Sierra, as his DH. ``He's been an outfielder his whole career. I did tell him, 'Let's take it easy and not try to kill yourself,'' Gardenhire said of White. Michael Cuddyer, who had a .326 lifetime average against Chicago starter Mark Buehrle, got the start at first base. ... When the Twins lost 11 of 18 games against the White Sox a year ago, it marked the first time since 2000 they hadn't won the season series against their AL Central rivals.
CHICAGO: Jim Thome had scored a run in the first 15 games. Red Rolfe (1939) and Kenny Lofton (2000) scored in 18 straight games. Billy Hamilton holds the major league record of 25 straight, set in 1894. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Thome's streak is the longest ever to start a season. ... A.J. Pierzynski and Joe Crede got haircuts as ordered by team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. They were well-coiffed before Friday night's game, actually getting their new cuts as part of a promotion on Thursday. Crede had started wearing his hair long last season when he began hitting well. ``It's a little different I guess,'' he said. Will it make him quicker? ``I'll always be quicker than A.J.,'' he said. Neal Cotts and Freddy Garcia also were ordered to trim. ... The White Sox held their annual Dog Day promotion at night and hundreds of pooches circled the field before the game.
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DETROIT: Manager Jim Leyland said 25-year-old Chris Shelton is demonstrating he's a veteran hitter. Shelton has collected 17 extra-base hits this month, the most by a Tigers player in April since 1960. ``I think for a young hitter, he uses the whole field as well as any young hitter,'' Leyland said before Friday night's series opener with Seattle. ``I think that's probably the biggest thing to be honest with you.'' Shelton's nine homers are one why of matching Cecil Fielder's 10 homers in April 1996 for the club record for homers during April. In addition, Shelton's 64 total bases are the best by a Tigers player during April since 1960, while his .426 batting average is third best.
SEATTLE: After closer Eddie Guardado imploded with a four-walk ninth inning that resulted in a 4-3 loss to Texas on Thursday night, manager Mike Hargrove, without being asked, said that Guardado was his closer, period. On Friday night, Hargrove said Guardado didn't need to hear that from him. ``I don't think that in his mind he thought that after three weeks, he's out of a job,'' Hargrove said. ``But as a manager, there are a few times a year you get to express something in loyalty for your players like that and that was one of those times.'' Guardado, 35, blew a save on Monday at Boston when he gave up a winning home run to Mark Loretta. In six games and 5 2-3 innings this season, he's 0-2 with an 11.12 ERA. Last season, Guardado had 36 saves for the Mariners.
CINCINNATI: Reds manager Jerry Narron likes his team's resiliency especially after two consecutive come-from-behind victories. ``It's pretty much what we've been doing all year.'' ... OF Ken Griffey Jr. remained in Cincinnati to rehab the strained right biceps tendon in his right knee. He is eligible to come off the 15-day DL on April 28. ... Bullpen coach Tom Hume donates $50 to Cincinnati's Shriners Hospital for Children for each win and save by a Reds reliever. It's a practice he started seven years and has meant $20,750 overall in contributions to the facility.
MILWAUKEE: 1B Prince Fielder moved back into the fifth spot in the batting order Friday night after batting seventh on the nine-game road trip and in Thursday night's game. ``When you've worked your whole life to get here and you're playing in your first major-league season as an everyday player, the tendency is to press a little bit,'' Brewers manager Ned Yost said. Fielder started 0-11, but has gone 8-for-15 with a homer, six RBIs and five runs in the last four games. ... RHP Dan Kolb threw before the game as he works back from right elbow soreness which sidelined him during the road trip. He is available in relief.
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FLORIDA: 3B Miguel Cabrera was robbed of a hit in the first inning by Phillies CF Aaron Rowand. ... Manager Joe Girardi said he was worried that LHP Dontrelle Willis was trying too hard to carry the young pitching staff. ``I think he's thinking, 'Well, I have to win. I'm the ace. I have to win,''' Girardi said. ``You can't approach it that way. Your start is no more important than the start the next day.'' ... Girardi was saddened to hear Yankees minor league manager Oscar Acosta was killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic. Girardi said he got the phone call from Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber. ``We had him in Chicago as our pitching coach, we loved him,'' Girardi said. ``I had him in New York, I loved him.''
PHILADELPHIA: SS Jimmy Rollins had his first day off after playing in the first 15 games. Rollins was in a 1-for-13 skid. Rollins said his hands were feeling sore and had blisters from too many swings in the cage. Still, Rollins has hit in 47 of 51 games dating back to last season. Alex Gonzalez started for Rollins and hit second. ... The Phillies failed to hit a triple in their first 15 games, the longest streak to open a season since they went 28 games without one in 1953.
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ATLANTA: 2B Marcus Giles' hurt middle finger might keep him out only four or five days, much less than originally feared. ... 3B Chipper Jones (ankle, knee) should return Tuesday, when he's eligible to come off the 15-day DL, while SS Edgar Renteria (rib cage) might be able to play as soon as Sunday. ... After compiling an 8.17 ERA through the first 11 games, Braves starters had a 1.46 ERA with three complete games in five outings through Thursday. Their collective ERA dropped to 5.34. ... CF Andruw Jones entered Friday with a four-game homer streak. That tied his career high, set September 5-8, 1998.
WASHINGTON: Manager Frank Robinson called LF Alfonso Soriano's three leaping catches against Philadelphia on Thursday ``an indication he's getting a little bit more comfortable. ... Did you see the smile on his face? That's a good sign. That's what I was looking for right from the beginning, but it took him a little while to settle in out there.'' ... LHP Joey Eischen spoke to Robinson on Thursday, a day after walking the only two batters he faced in a loss to Philadelphia. Eischen had an 18.00 ERA. ``He's struggling,'' general manager Jim Bowden said Friday. ``He's not throwing like he's able to throw, and Frank just wanted to make sure he was OK and he said he was, said he's healthy. So hopefully he'll get it going.'' ... In their six wins entering Friday, the Nationals were 22-for-62 (a .355 average) with runners in scoring position. In their 10 losses, they were 16-for-88 (.182) in those situations.
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ASTROS: SS Adam Everett is on a strong hitting streak and entered the game tied for fourth place in RBIs for players at his position. He said improving offensively has been a focus of his. ``I think it's about time that I show people that I can play at this level, that I can hit at this level,'' he said. ``Basically I'm just working on consistent at bats. The more I can get consistent the better hopefully I can be. That's something I hope there's a lot more of this year.'' ... RHP Dave Borkowski, who was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, arrived in Houston not long before the clubhouse opened on Friday. He said he thinks he made an impression on Astros officials in spring training. ``They liked me in spring and I think as long as I went out there and kept pitching well, hopefully my name stuck in their heads,'' he said. ``After seeing that I'm doing the job down there...they have faith in me and trust in me and want to use me.''
PIRATES: 3B Joe Randa was back in the lineup Friday after missing Wednesday's game with a sore right foot after fouling a pitch off of it Tuesday night. Manager Jim Tracy said his return wasn't unexpected. ``He was adamant about doing whatever was necessary to get back in here,'' Tracy said. ``It doesn't surprise me, that's who he is and what he's about.'' ... Tracy said the fact his team has been competitive in all its losses, including the two recent ones to St. Louis is encouraging. ``You want your club to get to the point where it realizes how good it is and lives up to its potential,'' he said. ``We can compete and play with these clubs. You can't let them overwhelm you. If you're going to change the fortunes of your ball club you've got to compete with these teams.''
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CHICAGO: LHP Scott Eyre, who bruised his right knee on the play that sidelined Derrek Lee with a broken wrist for at least two months, threw in the bullpen Friday and said he could pitch if needed. ... Lee has five steals, only two behind speedster Juan Pierre. ``We were going at it, I think I was motivating him a little bit, too,'' Pierre said. ... RHP Kerry Wood warmed up but did not pitch a scheduled three-inning simulated game on Thursday. Manager Dusty Baker said Wood had been a little sore and also was ``distraught'' at the death of Yankees minor league manager Oscar Acosta, formerly a coach in the Cubs' system.
ST. LOUIS: LHP Mark Mulder pitched on regular rest on Friday and moved ahead of Sidney Ponson in the rotation so he can face the Pirates next week. Mulder was 3-0 last year against the Pirates and is 5-0 with a 2.23 ERA for his career against them. Ponson pitches on Saturday. ... The Cardinals began a 10-game homestand, the longest of the season. St. Louis won four of its first five series. ... Albert Pujols tied a franchise record when he hit his 10th home run in April. Mark McGwire hit 10 homers in April 1998, the year he hit a then-record 70.
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SAN FRANCISCO: The Giants won't rush the return of LHP Noah Lowry, who is on the DL with a strained right oblique muscle. ``This is an injury that has a way of returning,'' manager Felipe Alou said. ``We want to make sure that we he comes back he will be able to finish the year.'' ... Felipe is committed to OF Randy Winn hitting in the leadoff spot. ``Randy is a No. 1 guy and Omar Vizquel is a No. 2 guy,'' Alou said. ``Our problem isn't scoring runs.'' ... More of a concern is the pitching staff's wildness. The Giants' 71 walks through their first 15 games were the most in the NL.
COLORADO: The Rockies shook up their rotation Friday with RHP Zach Day being designated for assignment and RHP Miguel Asencio's call-up from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Asencio will start Tuesday at Philadelphia, his first major league appearance since May 15, 2003. Asencio underwent elbow surgery in 2004. ... Slugger Todd Helton has come down with the virus that sidelined Eli Marrero for several days. ... RHP Sun-Woo Kim (right shin) threw a bullpen session and will make another rehab start before being re-evaluated.
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ARIZONA: LHP Terry Mulholland, on the 15-day DL because of right elbow inflammation, played catch Friday. Manager Bob Melvin said Mulholland probably won't throw off a mound until the team returns from its nine-game trip to California. ... OF Jeff DaVanon, who has a team-best six-game hitting streak, got Friday off against Dodgers LHP Odalis Perez. ... RHP Miguel Batista will start Saturday against the Dodgers for the first time since tossing a four-hit shutout against them on June 9, 2004.
LOS ANGELES: INF Nomar Garciaparra was expected to rejoin the Dodgers on Saturday after a two-game rehab stint at Triple-A Las Vegas. ... The Dodgers' outfield has provided most of their offense so far. Jason Repko, J.D. Drew, Jose Cruz Jr., Kenny Lofton, Ricky Ledee and Cody Ross had combined to hit .311, with seven homers and 33 RBI, going into Friday night.
April 21, 2006
BALTIMORE: Brian Roberts returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since he dislocated his left elbow last Sept. 20 in a collision at first base with Bubba Crosby. Roberts hit .417 with five homers and 15 RBIs against the Yankees last year. ... Baltimore entered 14-for-14 in stolen-base attempts. ... The Orioles already have six players on the DL: OF David Newhan (broken leg), LHP Tim Byrdak (bone chip, left elbow), RHP Aaron Rakers (torn right labrum), RHP Todd Williams (inflamed right shoulder), OF Luis Matos (inflamed right shoulder), LHP John Parrish (elbow surgery). ... The Orioles faced the Yankees for the first time since Lee Mazzilli, fired as Baltimore's manager last summer, was hired as New York's bench coach.
NEW YORK: RHP Octavio Dotel, recovering from elbow surgery last year, was scratched from his second extended spring training appearance because of right elbow soreness. ``It's nothing major,'' Dotel said. ``It's a little sore.'' Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Dotel won't pitch for a week. ... RHP Carl Pavano (bruised buttocks) is scheduled for a bullpen session Saturday. ... RHP Ramiro Mendoza (shoulder) allowed two solo homers in two innings of an extended spring game. His fastball averaged 86 mph, an increase from 84 mph on Wednesday.
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BOSTON: OF Manny Ramirez entered Friday's game with the most career home runs versus the Blue Jays than any other player (47). ... Utilityman Willie Harris started in CF a day after having his contract purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket. Harris played for the World Series champion Chicago White Sox last season, batting .256 with one homer, eight RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 56 games. He played in one game against Boston in the first round and two against Houston in the World Series, scoring the only run in Chicago's 1-0 Game 4 victory that completed a sweep of the Astros.
TORONTO: RHP A.J. Burnett left after four innings. He allowed three runs on five hits in four innings. He threw 78 pitches. Burnett, who signed a $55 million, five-year deal with the Blue Jays in the offseason after spending seven seasons with the Florida Marlins, began the season on the DL after scar tissue broke off in his elbow March 18 during spring training. He threw 95 pitches in his first start - a 4-2 loss to Chicago. ... RF Alex Rios had five home runs. It wasn't until June 21 last year that Rios reached five homers.
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TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon said RHP Edwin Jackson will be called up from Triple-A Durham to start Saturday's game. ... Scott Kazmir became the first left-hander since World War I to beat the Boston Red Sox three times at Fenway Park before his 23rd birthday. Kazmir does not turn 23 until next January.
TEXAS: 2B Drew Meyer, the Rangers' first-round pick in 2002, made his major league debut batting ninth Friday night. Meyer joined the team this week when Mark DeRosa was put on the DL. Rookie 2B Ian Kinsler (.476), the opening day starter, is also on the DL because of a dislocated left thumb. ... Right-handers Adam Eaton (sprained middle right finger) and Josh Rupe (right elbow inflammation) have both been transferred to the 60-day DL. Both would eligible to return any time after June 1.
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CLEVELAND: RHP Matt Miller, who was placed on the DL Thursday, will have surgery on Wednesday to repair his right flexor tendon in his elbow and will be out four to six months. It is doubtful whether he will pitch again this season. Miller, who had a 5.63 ERA in six relief appearances, left the game Wednesday at Baltimore with the injury. ... The Indians placed RHP Rafael Betancourt on the 15-day DL with a strained right latissimus dorsi muscle. To replace Betancourt, who had a 6.43 ERA in eight relief appearances, the Indians called up rookie RHP Brian Slocum, a 2002 second-round pick, from Triple-A Buffalo, where he had a 1.93 ERA in five relief appearances.
KANSAS CITY: The Royals placed OF David DeJesus, who had been limited to seven games because of a strained left hamstring, on the 15-day DL. ... The Royals promoted RHP Joe Nelson from Triple-A Omaha, where he was 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in five relief appearances. His promotion gives the Royals a 12-man pitching staff. ... The Royals moved RHP Mike MacDougal, who has a strained right shoulder, from the 15-day DL to the 60-day. ... 2B Mark Grudzielanek, who did not play on Wednesday because of a sore Achilles' tendon, returned to the lineup on Friday. ...The Royals named their Kauffman Stadium press box after Baseball Hall of Fame writer Joe McGuff. McGuff, a former sports editor for the Kansas City Star, was selected in 1986 to the writers' wing of the Hall in Cooperstown, N.Y.
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MINNESOTA: 2B Luis Castillo, who aggravated a sore right knee in Thursday's game, was out of the lineup Friday and Nick Punto filled in. That wasn't the only change. LF Shannon Stewart was not with the team after his wife gave birth to a daughter Thursday. So manager Ron Gardenhire moved veteran DH Rondell White to left field and used another veteran, Ruben Sierra, as his DH. ``He's been an outfielder his whole career. I did tell him, 'Let's take it easy and not try to kill yourself,'' Gardenhire said of White. Michael Cuddyer, who had a .326 lifetime average against Chicago starter Mark Buehrle, got the start at first base. ... When the Twins lost 11 of 18 games against the White Sox a year ago, it marked the first time since 2000 they hadn't won the season series against their AL Central rivals.
CHICAGO: Jim Thome had scored a run in the first 15 games. Red Rolfe (1939) and Kenny Lofton (2000) scored in 18 straight games. Billy Hamilton holds the major league record of 25 straight, set in 1894. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Thome's streak is the longest ever to start a season. ... A.J. Pierzynski and Joe Crede got haircuts as ordered by team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. They were well-coiffed before Friday night's game, actually getting their new cuts as part of a promotion on Thursday. Crede had started wearing his hair long last season when he began hitting well. ``It's a little different I guess,'' he said. Will it make him quicker? ``I'll always be quicker than A.J.,'' he said. Neal Cotts and Freddy Garcia also were ordered to trim. ... The White Sox held their annual Dog Day promotion at night and hundreds of pooches circled the field before the game.
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DETROIT: Manager Jim Leyland said 25-year-old Chris Shelton is demonstrating he's a veteran hitter. Shelton has collected 17 extra-base hits this month, the most by a Tigers player in April since 1960. ``I think for a young hitter, he uses the whole field as well as any young hitter,'' Leyland said before Friday night's series opener with Seattle. ``I think that's probably the biggest thing to be honest with you.'' Shelton's nine homers are one why of matching Cecil Fielder's 10 homers in April 1996 for the club record for homers during April. In addition, Shelton's 64 total bases are the best by a Tigers player during April since 1960, while his .426 batting average is third best.
SEATTLE: After closer Eddie Guardado imploded with a four-walk ninth inning that resulted in a 4-3 loss to Texas on Thursday night, manager Mike Hargrove, without being asked, said that Guardado was his closer, period. On Friday night, Hargrove said Guardado didn't need to hear that from him. ``I don't think that in his mind he thought that after three weeks, he's out of a job,'' Hargrove said. ``But as a manager, there are a few times a year you get to express something in loyalty for your players like that and that was one of those times.'' Guardado, 35, blew a save on Monday at Boston when he gave up a winning home run to Mark Loretta. In six games and 5 2-3 innings this season, he's 0-2 with an 11.12 ERA. Last season, Guardado had 36 saves for the Mariners.
CINCINNATI: Reds manager Jerry Narron likes his team's resiliency especially after two consecutive come-from-behind victories. ``It's pretty much what we've been doing all year.'' ... OF Ken Griffey Jr. remained in Cincinnati to rehab the strained right biceps tendon in his right knee. He is eligible to come off the 15-day DL on April 28. ... Bullpen coach Tom Hume donates $50 to Cincinnati's Shriners Hospital for Children for each win and save by a Reds reliever. It's a practice he started seven years and has meant $20,750 overall in contributions to the facility.
MILWAUKEE: 1B Prince Fielder moved back into the fifth spot in the batting order Friday night after batting seventh on the nine-game road trip and in Thursday night's game. ``When you've worked your whole life to get here and you're playing in your first major-league season as an everyday player, the tendency is to press a little bit,'' Brewers manager Ned Yost said. Fielder started 0-11, but has gone 8-for-15 with a homer, six RBIs and five runs in the last four games. ... RHP Dan Kolb threw before the game as he works back from right elbow soreness which sidelined him during the road trip. He is available in relief.
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FLORIDA: 3B Miguel Cabrera was robbed of a hit in the first inning by Phillies CF Aaron Rowand. ... Manager Joe Girardi said he was worried that LHP Dontrelle Willis was trying too hard to carry the young pitching staff. ``I think he's thinking, 'Well, I have to win. I'm the ace. I have to win,''' Girardi said. ``You can't approach it that way. Your start is no more important than the start the next day.'' ... Girardi was saddened to hear Yankees minor league manager Oscar Acosta was killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic. Girardi said he got the phone call from Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber. ``We had him in Chicago as our pitching coach, we loved him,'' Girardi said. ``I had him in New York, I loved him.''
PHILADELPHIA: SS Jimmy Rollins had his first day off after playing in the first 15 games. Rollins was in a 1-for-13 skid. Rollins said his hands were feeling sore and had blisters from too many swings in the cage. Still, Rollins has hit in 47 of 51 games dating back to last season. Alex Gonzalez started for Rollins and hit second. ... The Phillies failed to hit a triple in their first 15 games, the longest streak to open a season since they went 28 games without one in 1953.
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ATLANTA: 2B Marcus Giles' hurt middle finger might keep him out only four or five days, much less than originally feared. ... 3B Chipper Jones (ankle, knee) should return Tuesday, when he's eligible to come off the 15-day DL, while SS Edgar Renteria (rib cage) might be able to play as soon as Sunday. ... After compiling an 8.17 ERA through the first 11 games, Braves starters had a 1.46 ERA with three complete games in five outings through Thursday. Their collective ERA dropped to 5.34. ... CF Andruw Jones entered Friday with a four-game homer streak. That tied his career high, set September 5-8, 1998.
WASHINGTON: Manager Frank Robinson called LF Alfonso Soriano's three leaping catches against Philadelphia on Thursday ``an indication he's getting a little bit more comfortable. ... Did you see the smile on his face? That's a good sign. That's what I was looking for right from the beginning, but it took him a little while to settle in out there.'' ... LHP Joey Eischen spoke to Robinson on Thursday, a day after walking the only two batters he faced in a loss to Philadelphia. Eischen had an 18.00 ERA. ``He's struggling,'' general manager Jim Bowden said Friday. ``He's not throwing like he's able to throw, and Frank just wanted to make sure he was OK and he said he was, said he's healthy. So hopefully he'll get it going.'' ... In their six wins entering Friday, the Nationals were 22-for-62 (a .355 average) with runners in scoring position. In their 10 losses, they were 16-for-88 (.182) in those situations.
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ASTROS: SS Adam Everett is on a strong hitting streak and entered the game tied for fourth place in RBIs for players at his position. He said improving offensively has been a focus of his. ``I think it's about time that I show people that I can play at this level, that I can hit at this level,'' he said. ``Basically I'm just working on consistent at bats. The more I can get consistent the better hopefully I can be. That's something I hope there's a lot more of this year.'' ... RHP Dave Borkowski, who was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, arrived in Houston not long before the clubhouse opened on Friday. He said he thinks he made an impression on Astros officials in spring training. ``They liked me in spring and I think as long as I went out there and kept pitching well, hopefully my name stuck in their heads,'' he said. ``After seeing that I'm doing the job down there...they have faith in me and trust in me and want to use me.''
PIRATES: 3B Joe Randa was back in the lineup Friday after missing Wednesday's game with a sore right foot after fouling a pitch off of it Tuesday night. Manager Jim Tracy said his return wasn't unexpected. ``He was adamant about doing whatever was necessary to get back in here,'' Tracy said. ``It doesn't surprise me, that's who he is and what he's about.'' ... Tracy said the fact his team has been competitive in all its losses, including the two recent ones to St. Louis is encouraging. ``You want your club to get to the point where it realizes how good it is and lives up to its potential,'' he said. ``We can compete and play with these clubs. You can't let them overwhelm you. If you're going to change the fortunes of your ball club you've got to compete with these teams.''
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CHICAGO: LHP Scott Eyre, who bruised his right knee on the play that sidelined Derrek Lee with a broken wrist for at least two months, threw in the bullpen Friday and said he could pitch if needed. ... Lee has five steals, only two behind speedster Juan Pierre. ``We were going at it, I think I was motivating him a little bit, too,'' Pierre said. ... RHP Kerry Wood warmed up but did not pitch a scheduled three-inning simulated game on Thursday. Manager Dusty Baker said Wood had been a little sore and also was ``distraught'' at the death of Yankees minor league manager Oscar Acosta, formerly a coach in the Cubs' system.
ST. LOUIS: LHP Mark Mulder pitched on regular rest on Friday and moved ahead of Sidney Ponson in the rotation so he can face the Pirates next week. Mulder was 3-0 last year against the Pirates and is 5-0 with a 2.23 ERA for his career against them. Ponson pitches on Saturday. ... The Cardinals began a 10-game homestand, the longest of the season. St. Louis won four of its first five series. ... Albert Pujols tied a franchise record when he hit his 10th home run in April. Mark McGwire hit 10 homers in April 1998, the year he hit a then-record 70.
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SAN FRANCISCO: The Giants won't rush the return of LHP Noah Lowry, who is on the DL with a strained right oblique muscle. ``This is an injury that has a way of returning,'' manager Felipe Alou said. ``We want to make sure that we he comes back he will be able to finish the year.'' ... Felipe is committed to OF Randy Winn hitting in the leadoff spot. ``Randy is a No. 1 guy and Omar Vizquel is a No. 2 guy,'' Alou said. ``Our problem isn't scoring runs.'' ... More of a concern is the pitching staff's wildness. The Giants' 71 walks through their first 15 games were the most in the NL.
COLORADO: The Rockies shook up their rotation Friday with RHP Zach Day being designated for assignment and RHP Miguel Asencio's call-up from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Asencio will start Tuesday at Philadelphia, his first major league appearance since May 15, 2003. Asencio underwent elbow surgery in 2004. ... Slugger Todd Helton has come down with the virus that sidelined Eli Marrero for several days. ... RHP Sun-Woo Kim (right shin) threw a bullpen session and will make another rehab start before being re-evaluated.
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ARIZONA: LHP Terry Mulholland, on the 15-day DL because of right elbow inflammation, played catch Friday. Manager Bob Melvin said Mulholland probably won't throw off a mound until the team returns from its nine-game trip to California. ... OF Jeff DaVanon, who has a team-best six-game hitting streak, got Friday off against Dodgers LHP Odalis Perez. ... RHP Miguel Batista will start Saturday against the Dodgers for the first time since tossing a four-hit shutout against them on June 9, 2004.
LOS ANGELES: INF Nomar Garciaparra was expected to rejoin the Dodgers on Saturday after a two-game rehab stint at Triple-A Las Vegas. ... The Dodgers' outfield has provided most of their offense so far. Jason Repko, J.D. Drew, Jose Cruz Jr., Kenny Lofton, Ricky Ledee and Cody Ross had combined to hit .311, with seven homers and 33 RBI, going into Friday night.