Notes from Tuesday's games
May 2, 2006
DETROIT: DH Dmitri Young, who was put on the DL April 15 with a right quadriceps strain, will have a rehab assignment at Double-A Erie on Thursday and Friday. He is expected to DH one day, and play first base on the other day. ``Then, he's going to Minnesota, but I don't know when he's going to be activated,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``We told him, if you don't feel like you're all right, stay an extra day because when you're in there, we're going to need production.'' ... Detroit's starters have pitched so well, middle relievers haven't gotten much work. Is that a good problem to have? ``Absolutely,'' Leyland said. ``I hope it continues.''
KANSAS CITY: DH Mike Sweeney returned to Kansas City Tuesday for tests and treatment on his injured back. Sweeney, who has been bothered by back problems for several years, aggravated a disc Monday night while running out a grounder. A team spokesman said Sweeney will be placed on the DL by the middle of the week. ... The Royals fired hitting coach Andre David after Monday's loss and replaced him with minor-league instructor Mike Barnett. ``This was just a case of not producing to the level of the talent in our clubhouse,'' Royals general manager Allard Baird said.
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TORONTO: LHP Scott Downs was reinstated from bereavement leave before Tuesday's game, and the Blue Jays optioned LHP Brian Tallet to Triple-A Syracuse. Downs was placed on bereavement leave April 29 after his infant daughter was hospitalized. Tallet pitched twice during Downs' absence, allowing a homer to Miguel Tejada, the only batter he faced Monday. ... SS Russ Adams had a hit in 12 of 16 games entering Tuesday's matchup. ... The Blue Jays' starting lineup Tuesday was a combined 7-for-34 lifetime against Orioles RHP Kris Benson. Five batters had yet to record a hit against Benson, one had never faced him and DH Shea Hillenbrand was 4-for-10 with two doubles.
BALTIMORE: The Orioles recalled LHP Kurt Birkins and RHP Julio Manon from Triple-A Ottawa on Tuesday. Jim Brower, who had a 13.86 ERA, was designated for assignment and Eddy Rodriguez (5.40 ERA) was optioned to Ottawa. ... Rookie SS Brandon Fahey batted leadoff Tuesday for the first time since joining the club Sunday. ... Miguel Tejada (hyperextended left knee) played DH for a third straight game Tuesday. ... DH Kevin Millar took batting practice Tuesday for the first time since being struck by a pitch in the right wrist Saturday. He hopes to return Wednesday in Texas.
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CHICAGO: OF Jermaine Dye (sore left calf) returned to the lineup Tuesday, but was pulled in the third inning when his leg got tight. ... C Chris Widger was hit in the head with a bat that slipped out of 2B Ronnie Belliard's hand on the backswing. Widger doubled before leaving the game with dizziness and an upset stomach. ``He got hit pretty good. Hopefully, he'll be fine,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ... The White Sox signed RHP Jeff Nelson to a minor league contract. He was assigned to extended spring training in Tucson, Ariz. Nelson, 39, is 48-44 with a 3.41 ERA in his 14-year career. ... The White Sox finished their road trip with a 5-3 record and open an eight-game homestand Wednesday against Seattle. ... RHP Jose Contreras, who will start Thursday, hasn't lost since Aug. 15 and owns a 12-game regular-season winning streak, the longest in the majors.
CLEVELAND: It only took 27 attempts, but Victor Martinez threw out his first base stealer on Tuesday. ``It was good to see,'' LHP C.C. Sabathia said. ``Victor had a look of relief on his face.'' Martinez, who was 60-of-276 (22 percent) in throwing out runners in four previous seasons, has been taking extra practice throws before every other game. ... OF Jason Michaels returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with an illness. He's still not sure what it was. ``I just couldn't hold any food down,'' he said. Michaels, who is hitting .247, was 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored. ... The Indians' win over the White Sox on Tuesday was their first in nine games at Jacobs Field dating back to last season. Asked if ending that streak was important, DH Travis Hafner had a puzzled look on his face. ``I didn't realize that, but I guess it was important,'' he said.
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TEXAS: INF Ian Kinsler (left thumb) hit off a tee for the first time. ``He felt it a little bit, but for the most part it was good,'' manager Buck Showalter said. ... LHP Brian Anderson (left elbow ligament replacement surgery) is scheduled for his next bullpen session Thursday. He might return next month. ... RHP Frank Francisco (right elbow ligament replacement surgery) could be cleared to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment after being examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum on May 10.
TAMPA BAY: Minor league RHP Matt Rico was suspended for 100 games after testing positive for a drug of abuse. ``We fully support the commissioner's office policy on this,'' executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. ... Friedman said the International League's decision on the length of the suspension for top prospect Delmon Young's bat-throwing incident could come Wednesday. ... CF Rocco Baldelli (hamstring) could eventually get some playing time at first base. ``This adds to the flexibility to keep his bat in the lineup,'' Friedman said. There is no timetable for Baldelli's return.
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SEATTLE: Prankster Eddie Guardado got his latest victim on Monday, a day when thousands of immigrants across the country boycotted work and school to show how important immigrants are to the country. Guardado came into manager Mike Hargrove's office before their game against the Twins and said he and the rest of the Latino Mariners would sit out the game. ``I thought they were joking at first, but he had me for about 10 to 15 seconds,'' Hargrove said. ... Yuniesky Betancourt is one of only two regular shortstops in the league without an error. ``The good ones make all the chances look easy,'' Hargrove said. ``That's what he does.''
MINNESOTA: After reliever Jesse Crain struggled again on Monday, manager Ron Gardenhire says rookie Francisco Liriano will takeover as the primary reliever in the seventh inning, while Juan Rincon still will pitch the eighth when the Twins have the lead. Crain has a 9.49 ERA in 12 1-3 innings. ... OF Ruben Sierra will do most of his rehab of a ruptured biceps tendon in the Twin Cities. He said he wants to remain around the team and offer advice to younger hitters. ``I'm going to be on the bench pulling for my teammates,'' he said.
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OAKLAND: Jay Payton has 73 plate appearances this season with no walks, two RBIs and a .192 batting average. ``Jay is a very aggressive hitter,'' manager Ken Macha said. ``When he gets into these modes where he's swinging at the first pitch and making outs, it looks bad. But then he hits the first pitch and knocks in runs, nothing's said. He and I had a face-to-face one day and I talked to him exactly about that.'' Macha said he just wants Payton to have good at-bats, which may mean swinging at the first pitch if it's the right situation. ... RHP Kirk Saarloos has been tabbed to start Thursday against Cleveland. He was the last Oakland pitcher to throw a complete game, back on July 31, 2005, but was relegated to the bullpen because of the acquisition of RHP Esteban Loaiza - who went on the DL Monday. ``Sometimes in baseball, things aren't fair,'' Macha said. ``We went out and got a veteran starter to help us - somebody who had a track record. But Kirk's attitude has been exemplary. He wants to do whatever it takes to help the team.''
LOS ANGELES: Rookie 2B Howie Kendrick worked out at first base before Tuesday's game, and also has been taking ground balls at third. But manager Mike Scioscia said it shouldn't be construed as a long-range plan to get Kendrick into the lineup regularly next season if they re-sign impending free agent Adam Kennedy. ``We haven't talked about anything that far into the future as to what the makeup of our club might be next year. It's not on our agenda,'' Scioscia said. ``The ability to experiment and move him around never presented itself in the minor leagues because he needed too much work at second. But he's very comfortable there now, so we want to look and see if his versatility will allow us to create depth at some positions and give him more playing time.''
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COLORADO: OF Jorge Piedra (plantar fascitis) was activated from the 15-day DL and farmed out to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He missed most of spring training and need to get some at-bats. ``He's not in a good place offensively,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ... OF-1B Eli Marrero, who went out a week ago with a strained rib cage muscle, took batting practice but was still hurting. The Rockies planned to put him on the DL after the game. ``We'll have to make a move,'' Hurdle said. ``It's time. It's been a week today.''
ATLANTA: 2B Marcus Giles made it to the majors based on his reputation as a hitter. He's becoming known as a very solid defensive player. Giles had a brilliant game in the field on Monday, making a diving catch on a liner up the middle and several other plays that were well above the norm in the Braves' 2-0 victory. While Giles was hitting just .195 going into Tuesday's game, he's saving plenty of runs with his glove. ``I'm more proud of my defense than my offense,'' he said. ``If you ask me Gold Glove vs. batting title, I'd much rather win a Gold Glove.'' ... LHP Horacio Ramirez, who's been on the DL since straining his left hamstring in his first start of the season, did some running before Tuesday's game and reported no pain. ``It's the first time I've done any running in about a week,'' he said. ``It felt real good.'' Ramirez still doesn't have a timetable on when he might return. ``We just don't want a setback,'' he said.
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PHILADELPHIA: Top pitching prospect Cole Hamels threw a two-hitter Tuesday to help Scranton Wilkes-Barre beat Richmond 5-0, fueling speculation he may soon be in the majors. Hamels, a 22-year-old left-hander, has 26 strikeouts and one walk in two Triple-A starts and has yet to allow a run. ``Pretty impressive,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. ``If he can help us, I'm going to get him.'' ... With 3 2-3 scoreless innings Monday at Florida, the bullpen lowered its ERA to 1.35 over the past 12 games. That dropped the bullpen ERA for the season to 3.78.
FLORIDA: RF Jeremy Hermida (hip flexor) is expected to play another game this week on a rehabilitation assignment with Single-A Jupiter, manager Joe Girardi said. Hermida had been expected to rejoin the Marlins on Wednesday, but he played three innings Monday with Jupiter and complained of tightness in his hip, delaying his return. ... LHP Dontrelle Willis has hit six batters - two shy of his career high - to lead the NL, but he notes he hasn't hurt anybody. ``I've hit a lot of guys in the foot and the shirt,'' he said. ``I'm going inside and hitting a guy in the jersey. So sue me.''
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WASHINGTON: RF Jose Guillen and 2B Jose Vidro were rested. Nationals manager Frank Robinson said Guillen has been struggling at the plate and he hopes a day off and some extra batting practice will get him going. As for Vidro, Robinson plans to give him periodic days off all season. ``I feel like he's dragging a little bit,'' the manager said. Marlon Anderson started at 2B and Daryle Ward was in RF. ... Rookie 3B Ryan Zimmerman was back in the lineup after missing Monday night's game following the death of his grandmother. ... Robinson said OF Ryan Church (flulike symptoms) was feeling better and was available off the bench.
NEW YORK: LF Cliff Floyd entered batting .198 (16-for-81). Mets manager Willie Randolph said he purposely threw balls to the slugger during early batting practice Monday just to see him take them. ``Cliff has always been overanxious,'' Randolph said. ``Cliff is going to get going soon. And when he does, somebody is going to pay for it.'' Floyd lined out to shortstop with runners on second and third to end the fourth and slammed his helmet down in frustration. ... RHP John Maine made his Mets debut in his 10th major league start. He was 1-3 with a 2.63 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Norfolk this year. Maine, who will turn 25 next Monday, was acquired with reliever Jorge Julio in the January trade that sent RHP Kris Benson to Baltimore. ``You're always excited about the unknown,'' Randolph said. ``Maybe you get something really special.'' ... Injured RHP Brian Bannister (hamstring) left for Port St. Lucie, Fla., to continue his rehabilitation. ... RHP Alay Soler was promoted to Double-A Binghamton and is scheduled to start Saturday against New Hampshire.
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ST. LOUIS: For the first time since 2002, the Cardinals didn't have Scott Rolen, Albert Pujols or Jim Edmonds in the starting lineup. ... Pujols got a day of rest because of a sore back, irritated on a play at first base last week. Manager Tony La Russa didn't use him as a pinch-hitter. ``In the perfect situation, I could have pulled the trigger,'' La Russa said. ``I didn't see it. Hopefully he'll play tomorrow night.'' ... Edmonds pinch-hit in the seventh and flied out, then stayed in the game. Rolen was back in St. Louis recovering from a viral infection that has sidelined him for a week. ... In the last 2 seasons, C Yadier Molina has picked four Reds off first base - Felipe Lopez, Adam Dunn, Rich Aurilia and Ryan Freel.
CINCINNATI: The Reds are a season-high 11 games over .500 and lead the majors with a 19-8 record. ... The last time the Reds swept a series from the Cardinals in Cincinnati was 2003, when they took four in a row from May 5-8. ... LHP Eric Milton, who had surgery to repair torn knee cartilage on April 24, threw off a mound Monday. He's expected to be sidelined for a total of three or four weeks. ... A total of 45 homers have been hit at Great American Ball Park in 14 games this season. The ballpark yielded 246 last year, most in the majors. ... Ken Griffey Jr. is eligible to come off the DL, but hasn't fully recovered from an inflamed tendon behind his right knee. He will remain in Cincinnati while the Reds travel to Colorado for a two-game series. ``Then we'll see how he is,'' manager Jerry Narron said. ``There hasn't been a setback. He just hasn't gotten to the point where he feels like he can play.''
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HOUSTON: When Craig Biggio flied out in the second inning Tuesday night, he moved into 25th place in career at-bats. The second-inning at-bat gave him 9,909, one more than Harold Baines. ... Right-hander Fernando Nieve got his first major league hit Tuesday night, lining an RBI single to center off Ben Sheets in the second. ... Going into Tuesday night's game, Astros starters had a 3.22 ERA, best in the NL. ... Right-hander Roy Oswalt, who will start Wednesday when the Astros open a series with the Cardinals, has an 87-40 career record, but is just 5-4 against St. Louis.
MILWAUKEE: Prince Fielder was named National League Rookie of the Month for April. He hit .344 with five home runs last month. ``I'm really happy with what I did ... but I've got five more to go,'' Fielder said. ... Right-hander Tomo Ohka was examined by team doctor William Raasch on Tuesday and still was experiencing soreness in his right rotator cuff, the team said. Ohka (2-1, 3.18 ERA) will undergo a diagnostic MRI Wednesday to determine the extent of his injury. ... Bill Hall made his first major league start in center field Tuesday night. Hall also plays second, shortstop and third for the team.
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PITTSBURGH: Freddy Sanchez made the most of his promotion to No. 3 in the Pirates' batting order with three hits and three RBIs. ``He's done a terrific job with every opportunity that he's been given. Not only did he do it with his bat today, his baserunning was terrific,'' manager Jim Tracy said of Sanchez, who played third. ``He's going to catch the ball when they hit it at him. He's forcing the hand to say that you have to find additional playing time for the guy.'' ... The Pirates have turned a double play in 13 straight games. They have 34 DPs this season, including two on Tuesday to back Zach Duke. ... The Pirates are now 2-9 in day games and 2-13 on the road this season. ... Pittsburgh sent infielder Mike Edwards to Triple-A Indianapolis after the game and called up catcher Ryan Doumit. Doumit was on a rehab assignment at Indianapolis with a left hamstring strain and will join the team in New York. ... 3B Joe Randa had an MRI and it revealed a bone bruise on his right foot after he fouled a ball off it April 18. He will also join the team in New York on Wednesday.
CHICAGO: The Cubs are struggling offensively without reigning NL batting champion Derrek Lee and that's no surprise. ``A big dude out of there,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ``A lot of offense.'' With Lee expected out until mid-June with two broken bones in his wrist, the Cubs' offense needs a lift. Baker said GM Jim Hendry is working to bring someone in who can provide it. Baker would prefer a right-handed bat with some pop. Lee went on the disabled list April 21, and the Cubs have batted .214 since that date. And against lefty starters, the Cubs are 3-7. They are batting .192 as a team against southpaws. ... RHP Kerry Wood, rehabbing from shoulder surgery, pitched five shutout innings in a rookie league game in Arizona, allowing one hit with eight strikeouts. Hendry said Wood would be in the system by Sunday, meaning he will probably pitch in a minor league rehab game that day. With Wood and Mark Prior still on the DL, the Cubs have three rookies in their rotation - Sean Marshall, Tuesday's loser Angel Guzman and Rich Hill. ... Greg Maddux, off to the first 5-0 start of his career, was named NL Pitcher of the Month for April.
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SAN DIEGO: CF Mike Cameron hit his first home run as a member of the Padres with a two-run shot in the first. Cameron, acquired in the offseason from the Mets, missed the team's first 17 games with a strained muscle in his left side. ``I felt good last night and the last couple of at-bats at home,'' Cameron said. ``I didn't have any hits to show for it, but I'm starting to string some at-bats. Fortunately it was right in the middle of the plate. A loud sound and you don't feel it, you know it's hit pretty well.'' ... RHP Scott Cassidy struck out two in 1 1-3 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.61 in 13 appearances. Cassidy, who was sent down to the minors after opening day, has been one of the team's top performers since being recalled April 7. ``That's what you need, a surprise out of the bullpen,'' manager Bruce Bochy said. ``He's unflappable. He has ice in his veins. He has no fear.''
SAN FRANCISCO: Steve Finley hit his fifth triple in the second inning and scored on a balk for San Francisco. The 41-year-old Finley is the active leader in triples with 117 and he has his most this season since he hit 10 for Arizona in 2003. He's hit four of his triples at home, where the deep fences in right-center have led to the nickname Triples Alley. ``This is a good triples park. You get one to go to the wall there, I don't care who you are. Todd Greene could have a standup triple there,'' Finley said of the Giants' slow-footed backup catcher, who has two career triples. ... RF Moises Alou, who hurt his left hip on a ninth-inning double play Sunday against the Diamondbacks, didn't start for the second straight game but was available to pinch-hit. ... Rookie 2B Kevin Frandsen has been hit by a pitch in each of the four games he has started in the majors. Frandsen was hit 23 times in the minors last season. ``My job as a 1-2 hitter is to get on base. So anyway I can I will try to get on base,'' Frandsen said. ... RHP Matt Morris earned his 1,000th career strikeout when he got Mark Bellhorn to end the seventh inning.
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ARIZONA: Arizona's Miguel Batista will face Chicago's Greg Maddux on Wednesday night. Batista (2-1) has allowed 15 earned runs in 14 1-3 innings over his last three starts. ... Tuesday night's game against Los Angeles wrapped up a stretch of 15 straight games against the NL West. The Diamondbacks were 8-6 in the first 14. The Diamondbacks play only three of their next 37 games against division opponents. ... Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin is scheduled to take batting practice with the team Thursday. ... Right-hander Juan Cruz will take Russ Ortiz's spot in the rotation for now. Ortiz went on the DL Tuesday with a calf injury.
LOS ANGELES: Manager Grady Little wasted little time putting Andre Ethier into the lineup after he was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. Ethier took the roster spot that opened up when Ricky Ledee went on the disabled list with a pulled left groin. Ethier, a native of Phoenix, was to make his major league debut Tuesday night at Arizona. ... With the Dodgers hitting .253 as a team, 12th in the National League, Little shuffled his batting order Tuesday, dropping .200-hitting Rafael Furcal to No. 2 and moving Kenny Lofton to leadoff. He also dropped Jeff Kent to No. 5 and moved J.D. Drew from third to No. 4. ``I'm not a big advocate of repeating things that aren't working for us,'' Little said. ``When something is not working, I don't fear change, a little bit of change, a little tinkering here and there. Hopefully this will make a difference.''
May 2, 2006
DETROIT: DH Dmitri Young, who was put on the DL April 15 with a right quadriceps strain, will have a rehab assignment at Double-A Erie on Thursday and Friday. He is expected to DH one day, and play first base on the other day. ``Then, he's going to Minnesota, but I don't know when he's going to be activated,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``We told him, if you don't feel like you're all right, stay an extra day because when you're in there, we're going to need production.'' ... Detroit's starters have pitched so well, middle relievers haven't gotten much work. Is that a good problem to have? ``Absolutely,'' Leyland said. ``I hope it continues.''
KANSAS CITY: DH Mike Sweeney returned to Kansas City Tuesday for tests and treatment on his injured back. Sweeney, who has been bothered by back problems for several years, aggravated a disc Monday night while running out a grounder. A team spokesman said Sweeney will be placed on the DL by the middle of the week. ... The Royals fired hitting coach Andre David after Monday's loss and replaced him with minor-league instructor Mike Barnett. ``This was just a case of not producing to the level of the talent in our clubhouse,'' Royals general manager Allard Baird said.
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TORONTO: LHP Scott Downs was reinstated from bereavement leave before Tuesday's game, and the Blue Jays optioned LHP Brian Tallet to Triple-A Syracuse. Downs was placed on bereavement leave April 29 after his infant daughter was hospitalized. Tallet pitched twice during Downs' absence, allowing a homer to Miguel Tejada, the only batter he faced Monday. ... SS Russ Adams had a hit in 12 of 16 games entering Tuesday's matchup. ... The Blue Jays' starting lineup Tuesday was a combined 7-for-34 lifetime against Orioles RHP Kris Benson. Five batters had yet to record a hit against Benson, one had never faced him and DH Shea Hillenbrand was 4-for-10 with two doubles.
BALTIMORE: The Orioles recalled LHP Kurt Birkins and RHP Julio Manon from Triple-A Ottawa on Tuesday. Jim Brower, who had a 13.86 ERA, was designated for assignment and Eddy Rodriguez (5.40 ERA) was optioned to Ottawa. ... Rookie SS Brandon Fahey batted leadoff Tuesday for the first time since joining the club Sunday. ... Miguel Tejada (hyperextended left knee) played DH for a third straight game Tuesday. ... DH Kevin Millar took batting practice Tuesday for the first time since being struck by a pitch in the right wrist Saturday. He hopes to return Wednesday in Texas.
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CHICAGO: OF Jermaine Dye (sore left calf) returned to the lineup Tuesday, but was pulled in the third inning when his leg got tight. ... C Chris Widger was hit in the head with a bat that slipped out of 2B Ronnie Belliard's hand on the backswing. Widger doubled before leaving the game with dizziness and an upset stomach. ``He got hit pretty good. Hopefully, he'll be fine,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ... The White Sox signed RHP Jeff Nelson to a minor league contract. He was assigned to extended spring training in Tucson, Ariz. Nelson, 39, is 48-44 with a 3.41 ERA in his 14-year career. ... The White Sox finished their road trip with a 5-3 record and open an eight-game homestand Wednesday against Seattle. ... RHP Jose Contreras, who will start Thursday, hasn't lost since Aug. 15 and owns a 12-game regular-season winning streak, the longest in the majors.
CLEVELAND: It only took 27 attempts, but Victor Martinez threw out his first base stealer on Tuesday. ``It was good to see,'' LHP C.C. Sabathia said. ``Victor had a look of relief on his face.'' Martinez, who was 60-of-276 (22 percent) in throwing out runners in four previous seasons, has been taking extra practice throws before every other game. ... OF Jason Michaels returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with an illness. He's still not sure what it was. ``I just couldn't hold any food down,'' he said. Michaels, who is hitting .247, was 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored. ... The Indians' win over the White Sox on Tuesday was their first in nine games at Jacobs Field dating back to last season. Asked if ending that streak was important, DH Travis Hafner had a puzzled look on his face. ``I didn't realize that, but I guess it was important,'' he said.
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TEXAS: INF Ian Kinsler (left thumb) hit off a tee for the first time. ``He felt it a little bit, but for the most part it was good,'' manager Buck Showalter said. ... LHP Brian Anderson (left elbow ligament replacement surgery) is scheduled for his next bullpen session Thursday. He might return next month. ... RHP Frank Francisco (right elbow ligament replacement surgery) could be cleared to start a minor league rehabilitation assignment after being examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum on May 10.
TAMPA BAY: Minor league RHP Matt Rico was suspended for 100 games after testing positive for a drug of abuse. ``We fully support the commissioner's office policy on this,'' executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. ... Friedman said the International League's decision on the length of the suspension for top prospect Delmon Young's bat-throwing incident could come Wednesday. ... CF Rocco Baldelli (hamstring) could eventually get some playing time at first base. ``This adds to the flexibility to keep his bat in the lineup,'' Friedman said. There is no timetable for Baldelli's return.
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SEATTLE: Prankster Eddie Guardado got his latest victim on Monday, a day when thousands of immigrants across the country boycotted work and school to show how important immigrants are to the country. Guardado came into manager Mike Hargrove's office before their game against the Twins and said he and the rest of the Latino Mariners would sit out the game. ``I thought they were joking at first, but he had me for about 10 to 15 seconds,'' Hargrove said. ... Yuniesky Betancourt is one of only two regular shortstops in the league without an error. ``The good ones make all the chances look easy,'' Hargrove said. ``That's what he does.''
MINNESOTA: After reliever Jesse Crain struggled again on Monday, manager Ron Gardenhire says rookie Francisco Liriano will takeover as the primary reliever in the seventh inning, while Juan Rincon still will pitch the eighth when the Twins have the lead. Crain has a 9.49 ERA in 12 1-3 innings. ... OF Ruben Sierra will do most of his rehab of a ruptured biceps tendon in the Twin Cities. He said he wants to remain around the team and offer advice to younger hitters. ``I'm going to be on the bench pulling for my teammates,'' he said.
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OAKLAND: Jay Payton has 73 plate appearances this season with no walks, two RBIs and a .192 batting average. ``Jay is a very aggressive hitter,'' manager Ken Macha said. ``When he gets into these modes where he's swinging at the first pitch and making outs, it looks bad. But then he hits the first pitch and knocks in runs, nothing's said. He and I had a face-to-face one day and I talked to him exactly about that.'' Macha said he just wants Payton to have good at-bats, which may mean swinging at the first pitch if it's the right situation. ... RHP Kirk Saarloos has been tabbed to start Thursday against Cleveland. He was the last Oakland pitcher to throw a complete game, back on July 31, 2005, but was relegated to the bullpen because of the acquisition of RHP Esteban Loaiza - who went on the DL Monday. ``Sometimes in baseball, things aren't fair,'' Macha said. ``We went out and got a veteran starter to help us - somebody who had a track record. But Kirk's attitude has been exemplary. He wants to do whatever it takes to help the team.''
LOS ANGELES: Rookie 2B Howie Kendrick worked out at first base before Tuesday's game, and also has been taking ground balls at third. But manager Mike Scioscia said it shouldn't be construed as a long-range plan to get Kendrick into the lineup regularly next season if they re-sign impending free agent Adam Kennedy. ``We haven't talked about anything that far into the future as to what the makeup of our club might be next year. It's not on our agenda,'' Scioscia said. ``The ability to experiment and move him around never presented itself in the minor leagues because he needed too much work at second. But he's very comfortable there now, so we want to look and see if his versatility will allow us to create depth at some positions and give him more playing time.''
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COLORADO: OF Jorge Piedra (plantar fascitis) was activated from the 15-day DL and farmed out to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He missed most of spring training and need to get some at-bats. ``He's not in a good place offensively,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ... OF-1B Eli Marrero, who went out a week ago with a strained rib cage muscle, took batting practice but was still hurting. The Rockies planned to put him on the DL after the game. ``We'll have to make a move,'' Hurdle said. ``It's time. It's been a week today.''
ATLANTA: 2B Marcus Giles made it to the majors based on his reputation as a hitter. He's becoming known as a very solid defensive player. Giles had a brilliant game in the field on Monday, making a diving catch on a liner up the middle and several other plays that were well above the norm in the Braves' 2-0 victory. While Giles was hitting just .195 going into Tuesday's game, he's saving plenty of runs with his glove. ``I'm more proud of my defense than my offense,'' he said. ``If you ask me Gold Glove vs. batting title, I'd much rather win a Gold Glove.'' ... LHP Horacio Ramirez, who's been on the DL since straining his left hamstring in his first start of the season, did some running before Tuesday's game and reported no pain. ``It's the first time I've done any running in about a week,'' he said. ``It felt real good.'' Ramirez still doesn't have a timetable on when he might return. ``We just don't want a setback,'' he said.
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PHILADELPHIA: Top pitching prospect Cole Hamels threw a two-hitter Tuesday to help Scranton Wilkes-Barre beat Richmond 5-0, fueling speculation he may soon be in the majors. Hamels, a 22-year-old left-hander, has 26 strikeouts and one walk in two Triple-A starts and has yet to allow a run. ``Pretty impressive,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. ``If he can help us, I'm going to get him.'' ... With 3 2-3 scoreless innings Monday at Florida, the bullpen lowered its ERA to 1.35 over the past 12 games. That dropped the bullpen ERA for the season to 3.78.
FLORIDA: RF Jeremy Hermida (hip flexor) is expected to play another game this week on a rehabilitation assignment with Single-A Jupiter, manager Joe Girardi said. Hermida had been expected to rejoin the Marlins on Wednesday, but he played three innings Monday with Jupiter and complained of tightness in his hip, delaying his return. ... LHP Dontrelle Willis has hit six batters - two shy of his career high - to lead the NL, but he notes he hasn't hurt anybody. ``I've hit a lot of guys in the foot and the shirt,'' he said. ``I'm going inside and hitting a guy in the jersey. So sue me.''
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WASHINGTON: RF Jose Guillen and 2B Jose Vidro were rested. Nationals manager Frank Robinson said Guillen has been struggling at the plate and he hopes a day off and some extra batting practice will get him going. As for Vidro, Robinson plans to give him periodic days off all season. ``I feel like he's dragging a little bit,'' the manager said. Marlon Anderson started at 2B and Daryle Ward was in RF. ... Rookie 3B Ryan Zimmerman was back in the lineup after missing Monday night's game following the death of his grandmother. ... Robinson said OF Ryan Church (flulike symptoms) was feeling better and was available off the bench.
NEW YORK: LF Cliff Floyd entered batting .198 (16-for-81). Mets manager Willie Randolph said he purposely threw balls to the slugger during early batting practice Monday just to see him take them. ``Cliff has always been overanxious,'' Randolph said. ``Cliff is going to get going soon. And when he does, somebody is going to pay for it.'' Floyd lined out to shortstop with runners on second and third to end the fourth and slammed his helmet down in frustration. ... RHP John Maine made his Mets debut in his 10th major league start. He was 1-3 with a 2.63 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Norfolk this year. Maine, who will turn 25 next Monday, was acquired with reliever Jorge Julio in the January trade that sent RHP Kris Benson to Baltimore. ``You're always excited about the unknown,'' Randolph said. ``Maybe you get something really special.'' ... Injured RHP Brian Bannister (hamstring) left for Port St. Lucie, Fla., to continue his rehabilitation. ... RHP Alay Soler was promoted to Double-A Binghamton and is scheduled to start Saturday against New Hampshire.
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ST. LOUIS: For the first time since 2002, the Cardinals didn't have Scott Rolen, Albert Pujols or Jim Edmonds in the starting lineup. ... Pujols got a day of rest because of a sore back, irritated on a play at first base last week. Manager Tony La Russa didn't use him as a pinch-hitter. ``In the perfect situation, I could have pulled the trigger,'' La Russa said. ``I didn't see it. Hopefully he'll play tomorrow night.'' ... Edmonds pinch-hit in the seventh and flied out, then stayed in the game. Rolen was back in St. Louis recovering from a viral infection that has sidelined him for a week. ... In the last 2 seasons, C Yadier Molina has picked four Reds off first base - Felipe Lopez, Adam Dunn, Rich Aurilia and Ryan Freel.
CINCINNATI: The Reds are a season-high 11 games over .500 and lead the majors with a 19-8 record. ... The last time the Reds swept a series from the Cardinals in Cincinnati was 2003, when they took four in a row from May 5-8. ... LHP Eric Milton, who had surgery to repair torn knee cartilage on April 24, threw off a mound Monday. He's expected to be sidelined for a total of three or four weeks. ... A total of 45 homers have been hit at Great American Ball Park in 14 games this season. The ballpark yielded 246 last year, most in the majors. ... Ken Griffey Jr. is eligible to come off the DL, but hasn't fully recovered from an inflamed tendon behind his right knee. He will remain in Cincinnati while the Reds travel to Colorado for a two-game series. ``Then we'll see how he is,'' manager Jerry Narron said. ``There hasn't been a setback. He just hasn't gotten to the point where he feels like he can play.''
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HOUSTON: When Craig Biggio flied out in the second inning Tuesday night, he moved into 25th place in career at-bats. The second-inning at-bat gave him 9,909, one more than Harold Baines. ... Right-hander Fernando Nieve got his first major league hit Tuesday night, lining an RBI single to center off Ben Sheets in the second. ... Going into Tuesday night's game, Astros starters had a 3.22 ERA, best in the NL. ... Right-hander Roy Oswalt, who will start Wednesday when the Astros open a series with the Cardinals, has an 87-40 career record, but is just 5-4 against St. Louis.
MILWAUKEE: Prince Fielder was named National League Rookie of the Month for April. He hit .344 with five home runs last month. ``I'm really happy with what I did ... but I've got five more to go,'' Fielder said. ... Right-hander Tomo Ohka was examined by team doctor William Raasch on Tuesday and still was experiencing soreness in his right rotator cuff, the team said. Ohka (2-1, 3.18 ERA) will undergo a diagnostic MRI Wednesday to determine the extent of his injury. ... Bill Hall made his first major league start in center field Tuesday night. Hall also plays second, shortstop and third for the team.
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PITTSBURGH: Freddy Sanchez made the most of his promotion to No. 3 in the Pirates' batting order with three hits and three RBIs. ``He's done a terrific job with every opportunity that he's been given. Not only did he do it with his bat today, his baserunning was terrific,'' manager Jim Tracy said of Sanchez, who played third. ``He's going to catch the ball when they hit it at him. He's forcing the hand to say that you have to find additional playing time for the guy.'' ... The Pirates have turned a double play in 13 straight games. They have 34 DPs this season, including two on Tuesday to back Zach Duke. ... The Pirates are now 2-9 in day games and 2-13 on the road this season. ... Pittsburgh sent infielder Mike Edwards to Triple-A Indianapolis after the game and called up catcher Ryan Doumit. Doumit was on a rehab assignment at Indianapolis with a left hamstring strain and will join the team in New York. ... 3B Joe Randa had an MRI and it revealed a bone bruise on his right foot after he fouled a ball off it April 18. He will also join the team in New York on Wednesday.
CHICAGO: The Cubs are struggling offensively without reigning NL batting champion Derrek Lee and that's no surprise. ``A big dude out of there,'' manager Dusty Baker said. ``A lot of offense.'' With Lee expected out until mid-June with two broken bones in his wrist, the Cubs' offense needs a lift. Baker said GM Jim Hendry is working to bring someone in who can provide it. Baker would prefer a right-handed bat with some pop. Lee went on the disabled list April 21, and the Cubs have batted .214 since that date. And against lefty starters, the Cubs are 3-7. They are batting .192 as a team against southpaws. ... RHP Kerry Wood, rehabbing from shoulder surgery, pitched five shutout innings in a rookie league game in Arizona, allowing one hit with eight strikeouts. Hendry said Wood would be in the system by Sunday, meaning he will probably pitch in a minor league rehab game that day. With Wood and Mark Prior still on the DL, the Cubs have three rookies in their rotation - Sean Marshall, Tuesday's loser Angel Guzman and Rich Hill. ... Greg Maddux, off to the first 5-0 start of his career, was named NL Pitcher of the Month for April.
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SAN DIEGO: CF Mike Cameron hit his first home run as a member of the Padres with a two-run shot in the first. Cameron, acquired in the offseason from the Mets, missed the team's first 17 games with a strained muscle in his left side. ``I felt good last night and the last couple of at-bats at home,'' Cameron said. ``I didn't have any hits to show for it, but I'm starting to string some at-bats. Fortunately it was right in the middle of the plate. A loud sound and you don't feel it, you know it's hit pretty well.'' ... RHP Scott Cassidy struck out two in 1 1-3 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.61 in 13 appearances. Cassidy, who was sent down to the minors after opening day, has been one of the team's top performers since being recalled April 7. ``That's what you need, a surprise out of the bullpen,'' manager Bruce Bochy said. ``He's unflappable. He has ice in his veins. He has no fear.''
SAN FRANCISCO: Steve Finley hit his fifth triple in the second inning and scored on a balk for San Francisco. The 41-year-old Finley is the active leader in triples with 117 and he has his most this season since he hit 10 for Arizona in 2003. He's hit four of his triples at home, where the deep fences in right-center have led to the nickname Triples Alley. ``This is a good triples park. You get one to go to the wall there, I don't care who you are. Todd Greene could have a standup triple there,'' Finley said of the Giants' slow-footed backup catcher, who has two career triples. ... RF Moises Alou, who hurt his left hip on a ninth-inning double play Sunday against the Diamondbacks, didn't start for the second straight game but was available to pinch-hit. ... Rookie 2B Kevin Frandsen has been hit by a pitch in each of the four games he has started in the majors. Frandsen was hit 23 times in the minors last season. ``My job as a 1-2 hitter is to get on base. So anyway I can I will try to get on base,'' Frandsen said. ... RHP Matt Morris earned his 1,000th career strikeout when he got Mark Bellhorn to end the seventh inning.
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ARIZONA: Arizona's Miguel Batista will face Chicago's Greg Maddux on Wednesday night. Batista (2-1) has allowed 15 earned runs in 14 1-3 innings over his last three starts. ... Tuesday night's game against Los Angeles wrapped up a stretch of 15 straight games against the NL West. The Diamondbacks were 8-6 in the first 14. The Diamondbacks play only three of their next 37 games against division opponents. ... Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin is scheduled to take batting practice with the team Thursday. ... Right-hander Juan Cruz will take Russ Ortiz's spot in the rotation for now. Ortiz went on the DL Tuesday with a calf injury.
LOS ANGELES: Manager Grady Little wasted little time putting Andre Ethier into the lineup after he was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. Ethier took the roster spot that opened up when Ricky Ledee went on the disabled list with a pulled left groin. Ethier, a native of Phoenix, was to make his major league debut Tuesday night at Arizona. ... With the Dodgers hitting .253 as a team, 12th in the National League, Little shuffled his batting order Tuesday, dropping .200-hitting Rafael Furcal to No. 2 and moving Kenny Lofton to leadoff. He also dropped Jeff Kent to No. 5 and moved J.D. Drew from third to No. 4. ``I'm not a big advocate of repeating things that aren't working for us,'' Little said. ``When something is not working, I don't fear change, a little bit of change, a little tinkering here and there. Hopefully this will make a difference.''