that mets/d'backs game was an instant classic. what a pitchers dual tonight between perdro and webb.
Notes from Wednesday's games
May 31, 2006
SEATTLE: The Mariners ended an eight-game road losing streak on Wednesday. It was their first road win since May 12, at the Los Angeles Angels. They are 3-12 their last 15 road games, and 9-17 overall. ... Seattle has given up six grand slams, all in May. Texas had grand slams in each of the last two games against the Mariners. ... Jose Lopez has 42 RBIs, the most among major league second basemen. He had an RBI single and a sacrifice fly Wednesday.
TEXAS: LHP John Koronka had the shortest start of his career, 2 2-3 innings, Wednesday. He allowed seven runs and 11 hits - both career highs. ... The Texas bullpen had pitched 13 consecutive scoreless innings until Joaquin Benoit gave up two runs in the sixth inning. ... The Rangers finished May 15-13, after going 13-12 in April. It's the first time since May and June 2004 they have had consecutive winning months. ... 3B Hank Blalock started as the DH for the first time this season. Mark DeRosa started at third.
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KANSAS CITY: Kansas City fired general manager Allard Baird and replaced him with Atlanta Braves assistant GM Dayton Moore. ``Obviously it's quite a distraction when things like this are going on,'' manager Buddy Bell said. ``Our guys have handled it pretty well. I know it affects them, but they hid it pretty well. Allard Baird is a dear friend of mine.'' ... The Royals reinstated LHP Mark Redman from the bereavement list and optioned RHP Joe Nelson to Triple-A Omaha. ... The Royals failed to sweep a road series for the first time in nearly three years - since taking three games at Texas from July 11-13, 2003. They have gone 73 straight road series without a sweep. Kansas City won the first two games by a total of three runs to capture its first road series since taking two of three in Oakland from Aug. 19-21, when the Royals ended a 19-game losing streak. ... With their 21st defeat in May, the Royals matched their most losses in a month - equaling their total from August 1999 and August 2005.
OAKLAND: 2B Mark Ellis has a broken right thumb that will sideline him up to six weeks. Ellis had X-rays late Tuesday after getting hurt breaking up a double play sliding into second in the sixth inning of an 8-7, 10-inning loss to the Royals. He will be placed on the disabled list Thursday. ``I don't know if you can get any more of a freak accident than that - breaking up a double play and breaking your thumb,'' A's manager Ken Macha said. ``Generally speaking, when you've got something broken, it's six weeks.'' ... C Jason Kendall snapped a homerless drought of 247 games and 961 at-bats with a two-run shot in the eighth. ... DH Frank Thomas hit his 459th career homer, his 11th of the season. The two-run shot gave him 1,493 RBIs, tying him with Dave Parker for 45th on the career list. It also was Thomas' 920th career extra-base hit, tying him with Willie McCovey in 44th place. ... The A's finished the month with a losing record for the second straight season after going 7-20 in May 2005 with two eight-game losing streaks.
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NEW YORK: RHP Octavio Dotel is scheduled to pitch Friday and Saturday in extended spring training games. The reliever, who had ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow last June, will pitch next week for Class-A Tampa before going to Double-A Trenton. He could join the Yankees around June 15. ... OF Bubba Crosby, on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury, could start playing in extended spring training games this weekend. ... Reliever Jesus Colome, slowed by a shoulder injury, will throw batting practice for the second time Friday. ... Manager Joe Torre kept SS Derek Jeter out of the lineup because he thought a sore right palm hampered his play Tuesday. Jeter appeared to injure his hand sliding into second base in Monday's 4-0 win over the Tigers. Both he and OF Johnny Damon (toe) were available to pinch hit. ... Torre said he never expected Roger Clemens to return to New York. The right-hander agreed to return to Houston on Wednesday. ``I never thought he was going go anywhere else. It just seemed like a situation where he's home and he's happy with that.'' Clemens was a member of the Yankees 1999 and 2000 world champions. Tuesday's 11-6 win put the club 10 games over .500 for the first time this season. It didn't reach that plateau until Aug. 8 last year.
DETROIT: The team purchased the contract of RHP Zach Miner from Triple-A Toledo and optioned the contract of INF Jack Hannahan to Toledo. Miner was 6-0 with a 2.82 ERA in nine starts for Toledo. Hannahan was hitless in nine at bats over three games with the Tigers. ``We needed an extra pitcher,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``It's a temporary move. I don't how temporary.'' ... Detroit's 19 wins in May (19-8), going into Wednesday night's game, matched the most in the month in team history (1911, 1961 and 1984).
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CHICAGO: Brian Anderson, who began the season as the starting center fielder but has struggled at the plate, will platoon with Rob Mackowiak. Anderson will play against left-handers and Mackowiak will play against right-handers. Anderson is batting .164 and is in a 1-for-19 slump. There has been speculation he would be sent to Triple-A Charlotte. ``I know there's a lot of pressure on the kid,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``It's not a minor league situation now. I think this kid is a big part of our team. Hopefully, we'll see some improvement.'' ... Mackowiak is 17-for-40 (.425) over his last 16 games. ... 2B Tadahito Iguchi, in a 3-for-20 skid, didn't start Wednesday. ``He's not swinging the bat well right now,'' Guillen said. Alex Cintron started for Iguchi.
CLEVELAND: Closer Bob Wickman recorded his 24th straight save on Tuesday. Wickman's streak is a career high and the longest active one in the majors. ``He been steady and he has been consistent,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``He has a confident approach out there. He's strong minded and he knows what he wants to do, and he does it.'' ... At 25-26, the Indians had the same record after 51 games as they had a year ago. ... LHP C.C. Sabathia's 74 wins are the most of any active pitcher under the age of 27. ... Sabathia is 10-3 in his career against the White Sox. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Sabathia's .769 winning percentage is the highest for a Cleveland pitcher against Chicago since Wes Ferrell went 17-5 (.773) against Chicago from 1929-33.
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TAMPA BAY: LHP Scott Kazmir will go after his eighth win Thursday against the Orioles. If he succeeds, Kazmir, who turned 22 on Jan. 24, would become the youngest pitcher to have eight wins on June 1 since Greg Maddux had nine with the Cubs in 1988 at 22 years, 2 months. ... Asked about a rumor that OF Carl Crawford might be used as trade bait, manager Joe Maddon said, ``First I have heard of it, and hopefully the last I will. He is a superstar in the making and I prefer thinking of him in our uniform.'' ... Tampa Bay lost the rights to RHP Bryan Morris, their third-round pick last season, when they couldn't work out a deal by Tuesday's deadline. Morris will be draft eligible again June 6.
BALTIMORE: OF Jay Gibbons (hip, knee injuries) missed a third straight start, but took batting practice Wednesday and hopes to return on Friday. ... LHP Bruce Chen gave up three homers over his first four innings Wednesday, giving him an AL-high 17. ... RHP Chris Ray converted all 14 of his save opportunities through Tuesday, giving Baltimore 29 straight over two seasons. The Orioles haven't blown a save since July, 19, 2005. ... SS Miguel Tejada grounded into double plays in his first two at-bats Wednesday, giving him an AL-leading 12 GIDPs this season.
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BOSTON: Manager Terry Francona talked to RHP Roger Clemens a couple of times when Boston was trying to recruit him. Clemens signed with Houston on Wednesday. ``He knows he was wanted,'' Francona said. ``I'm glad he didn't go to the Yankees. Let him stay in the National League.'' Francona suggested Boston would have given Clemens the special privileges he was seeking had he signed. ``There are times you make adjustments. Our objective is to win as many games as possible,'' Francona said. ... Francona gave C Jason Varitek a day off. Francona took into account that Doug Mirabelli entered Wednesday's game 6-for-15 with three career home runs against Toronto starter Ted Lilly.
TORONTO: CF Vernon Wells missed the game because of a sore left shoulder. Wells was examined by doctors and they found some inflammation. He's day to day and with a day off on Thursday, and hopes to be back in the lineup Friday. ``I have no idea when I did it,'' Wells said. ``Hopefully when I wake up in the morning (Thursday) I'll feel better and get back into the lineup Friday.'' Wells hit a career-high three home runs in Tuesday's game. ... C Bengie Molina is day to day after getting hit on the right hand by a fastball from Josh Beckett on Tuesday. X-rays were negative.
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MINNESOTA: The news of Roger Clemens' signing with the Astros on Wednesday was of major interest to the Twins, who are projected to be his first opponent on June 22 in the finale of a three-game interleague series at Houston. Clemens' 23 victories against Minnesota are more than any other pitcher. ... CF Torii Hunter is 0-for-22 lifetime against the seven-time Cy Young winner, with 12 strikeouts and two walks. ``I wouldn't blame him for starting against the Twins. Look at the record he has against the Twins. I mean, that's sick,'' Hunter said. ``But it's just one game, so it's nothing to get pumped up about. He's coming back with the easiest job in the world. I mean, who else can stay at home and not go on the road? I mean, $12 million for half a season? That's unheard of. But Roger Clemens is one of the best, and if you want him to pitch, you go by what he says.''
LOS ANGELES: The Angels have a day off Thursday before opening a three-game series in Cleveland, with RHP Jered Weaver (1-0) making his first career start against the Indians, who start RHP Jason Johnson (3-4). ... SS Orlando Cabrera had reached base via a hit, walk or hit by pitch in 31 straight games as of Wednesday, the longest streak of his career and the longest active streak in baseball. He had also scored a run or had an RBI in 42 of his 50 games. ... For the third straight season, the Angels reached 1 million in attendance in their 25th home game, tying a club record.
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WASHINGTON: LHP Joey Eischen was placed on the 60-day disabled list because of a torn muscle in his rotator cuff. LHP Bill Bray, a first-round pick in 2004, is expected to come up from Triple-A New Orleans to take Eischen's spot. ... RHP Santiago Ramirez has a right elbow flexor strain and is day to day. He was examined in Washington, and will rejoin the team in Milwaukee on Friday. ... Starter John Patterson, on the disabled list with a right forearm strain, is expected to have another bullpen session by the end of the week, and hopes to start his rehab assignment next week. ... Ramon Ortiz (3-4) starts the series opener against the Brewers.
PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies play just nine games at home in June. They begin an 11-game road trip in Los Angeles on Thursday. ... Gavin Floyd (4-2) faces the Dodgers in the series opener. ... OF David Dellucci made his fifth start on Wednesday. He went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, filling in for Pat Burrell. ``Dellucci can hit,'' manager Charlie Manuel said. ``He has a nice swing. He's quick to the ball. I think he'd be a productive hitter if he played every day.''... RHP Geoff Geary hasn't walked a batter in 10 2-3 innings.
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HOUSTON: RHP Roy Oswalt, who left his last start after six innings due to a tight right hamstring, doesn't expect to miss a turn. ``It's sore, but I don't think it's going to bother me,'' Oswalt said. ... The Astros improved to 2-19 when trailing after six innings by rallying with a five-run seventh to win on Tuesday. ... In terms of players who played primarily infield positions, Craig Biggio's 623 career doubles rank fourth behind only Hall of Famers George Brett (665), Nap Lajoie (657) and Honus Wagner (640). Wagner is eighth on the career list, the next target for Biggio. ... Milo Hamilton did a broadcast in his 52nd stadium, adding new Busch Stadium to the list. He'll make it 53 on June 26 at Detroit's Comerica Park.
ST. LOUIS: David Eckstein was worried that he had broken his left wrist when he got hit by a pitch by Mike Gallo in the 11th inning. X-rays were negative. ``It's kind of scary to get hit in that area,'' Eckstein said. ``I was fortunate.'' ... RHP Jeff Suppan was stuck on 99 victories for the second straight game, giving up three runs in six innings against the Astros. Suppan is 2-6 with a 4.73 ERA against the Astros, although he didn't face them last year. Mark Mulder won his 100th game earlier this year. ... Albert Pujols leads the major leagues with 65 RBIs, more than nine Cardinals' season leaders. The last with a total below Pujols' 53-game total was Tommy Herr and Andy Van Slyke with 61 apiece in 1986.
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COLORADO - Nearly a dozen Rockies players and staff members were sick at some point during a three-game series at San Diego, which followed a series in San Francisco. The previous team to come out of a series at San Francisco, the St. Louis Cardinals, also had several sick players by the time they got to San Diego. ... The Rockies had a team ERA of 3.84 in May, just the third time in club history they've finished a month under 4.00. ... The Rockies were 27-26 at the end of May, compared to 15-35 at the end of May last year.
SAN DIEGO - Backup C Josh Bard has at least one hit in nine of his 10 starts this season and is batting .436 with 14 RBIs in those games. ... The Padres were 19-10 in May despite winning only six of their last 15 games. A year ago, they were 22-6 in May - the best month in franchise history - on their way to winning the NL West title.
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MILWAUKEE: Manager Ned Yost said the Brewers will ``ride the storm'' after injuries to RHPs Ben Sheets, Tomo Ohka and Rick Helling - 60 percent of the team's projected starting rotation. Milwaukee has been keeping eight relievers as part of a 13-man pitching staff. Yost, who said all three of his starters should return by the All-Star break, has been protecting closer Derrick Turnbow and top set-up men Dan Kolb and Matt Wise by using other relievers during recent games in which the starter was knocked out early. ``When you're managing, you're not just managing for today,'' he said. ``You're managing for July, August and September. You don't want to kill those guys'' ... Yost gave 2B Rickie Weeks a routine day off Wednesday night and said he would do the same of OF Geoff Jenkins on Thursday and OF Carlos Lee and 1B Prince Fielder this weekend. ``It's been a long, hot week,'' Yost said. Game-time temperatures for the series in Pittsburgh have been in the upper 80s.
PITTSBURGH: 2B Jose Castillo's batting average from May 9 through Tuesday night was .419 - best in the National League over that span. He had hit safely in 16 of 18 games and homered in four consecutive. ``Watching him these last few nights, I know it's in him. It's in there,'' Tracy said. ``He's making the opposing club throw the ball over the plate and getting himself good pitches to hit in favorable counts.'' ... RHP Kip Wells, who has not pitched this season after having surgery on March 6 to repair an artery in his right shoulder, started a game for the Pirates' extended spring training team in Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday. Although Wells allowed four runs and nine hits in three innings, Tracy was encouraged by the fact there were no physical setbacks and that Wells' velocity remained constant. ... Tracy was asked why the Pirates used the same lineup for three consecutive games Monday through Wednesday. ``Twenty-six runs and 35 hits,'' he answered, the totals for the first two games, wins over Milwaukee. The Pirates had not scored more then 10 runs in three straight games since 1930.
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SAN FRANCISCO: RF Randy Winn had Wednesday off as manager Felipe Alou continued to juggle the lineup in an effort to give players some much-needed rest. 3B Pedro Feliz resisted Alou's offer to take the day off, and the manager didn't push the issue with RHP Jason Schmidt on the mound. ``Any time you have your ace going, you want your (best) defensive guys in the field,'' Alou said. ... CF Steve Finley was in the lineup, but will rest Friday when the Giants open a weekend series at New York. ``Some guys don't want to accept that they are tired and fatigued,'' Alou said. ``But I know they are.''
FLORIDA: 3B Miguel Cabrera leads the NL in batting, however rookies Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Willingham and Mike Jacobs also played a role in a successful homestand that ended Wednesday night. Uggla and Ramirez are among the NL rookie leaders in hits. Willingham, Uggla and Jacobs are among the rookie leaders in home runs and RBIs. The Giants were impressed with what they saw in the first two games of the series. ``They are what I expected,'' Alou said. ``They have good players. They're young, and they're going to get better.''
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ARIZONA: RHP Brandon Webb made his 108th career start for Arizona to move ahead of Curt Schilling for third most in franchise history. Randy Johnson (192) and Brian Anderson (129) are the only two players with more. ... 1B Conor Jackson got the day off. Manager Bob Melvin said he's had a little cold and had never faced Mets RHP Pedro Martinez. Melvin also wanted to get Tony Clark in the lineup. Clark was hitting .368 (7-for-19) against Martinez before Wednesday's game ... Melvin said he would use RHP Jorge Julio as his closer if the situation warranted Wednesday night. RHP Jose Valverde has blown two straight saves and allowed nine earned runs in his last 3 2-3 innings. Melvin said they want to give Valverde a physical and mental break, and he isn't sure who will close in upcoming games. ... CF Eric Byrnes extended his hitting streak to a team-high 14 games with a single in the first inning.
NEW YORK: Jose Valentin was in the starting lineup for the fourth straight game at 2B. He was 12-for-26 (.462) with four home runs and 14 RBIs in nine starts before Wednesday. 2B Kaz Matsui hasn't started since Saturday. ``I don't think there's any type of open competition where they'll be fighting for playing time,'' manager Willie Randolph said. ``I'm still going to again do what I think is right as far as who plays.'' Matsui had made 29 starts at 2B, Chris Woodward seven, and Valentin five. ... RHP John Maine (right middle finger) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk against Charlotte on Thursday night. He tossed five shutout innings for Single-A St. Lucie on Saturday. ... OF Xavier Nady was released from the hospital Wednesday morning after he had an appendectomy Tuesday. The Mets placed Nady on the 15-day DL Tuesday and called up prized prospect OF Lastings Milledge. ... The San Francisco Giants and slugger Barry Bonds open a three-game series at New York on Friday. ``We'll have to wait and see,'' Randolph said of how the crowds in New York will be toward Bonds. ``I'm sure there's going to be a reaction.'' ... U.S. Soccer players Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu threw out ceremonial first pitches before the game. The team's first game in the World Cup is June 12 against Czech Republic.
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LOS ANGELES: 2B Jeff Kent will have an MRI on Thursday when the Dodgers return to Los Angeles. He wasn't in the lineup for the fourth straight game after spraining his left wrist. The Dodgers want to make sure it's nothing worse. ``We've got to find out for sure,'' manager Grady Little said. ``It's a little better, but it's not good enough to play.'' The Dodgers will have to make a roster move if Kent is going to be out longer than expected. ``Writing a lineup for us every day is an adventure,'' Little quipped. ... SS Cesar Izturis, who hasn't played this season after surgery on his right elbow, will be joining the Dodgers' Triple-A team at Las Vegas. He will play second base at least the first three games with the minor league team, ``as a way of easing his arm into it,'' Little said. ``We're not going to rush Cesar.''
ATLANTA: RHP John Smoltz doesn't think he'll follow the same path as Roger Clemens, who halted another retirement to pitch the rest of the season for the Houston Astros. ``I'll be perfectly content the day I walk away,'' Smoltz said. ``I don't think I'll be six months later saying, 'You know what? I made a bad decision. I think I want to go back.''' Smoltz, who turned 39 on May 15, admits that he's been pondering his own retirement. ``I've started to think about the end more than I ever have,'' he said. ... 3B Chipper Jones moved into second place on Atlanta's career home run list with a two-run shot in the third inning. That gave him 336 in his career, breaking a tie with Aaron and trailing only Dale Murphy (371). Of course, Aaron is far ahead of both Jones and Murphy on the overall list, but more than half of his 755 homers came before the Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966.
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CINCINNATI: LHP Brian Shackelford was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday to make room for newly acquired right-hander Esteban Yan. Shackelford is 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 relief appearances. The Reds acquired the 30-year-old Yan and an undisclosed amount of cash from the Los Angeles Angels for minor-league pitcher Kyle Edens on Tuesday. Yan had a 6.85 ERA in 13 games this season and was designated for assignment on Friday. ... The Reds had lost five of six entering Wednesday's game.
CHICAGO: Derrek Lee took an important step in his recovery from two fractured bones just above his wrist joint Wednesday when the cast on his right arm was removed. Trainer Mark O'Neal said X-rays ``showed significant healing.'' Lee will not resume baseball activities until he has regained full range of motion, which O'Neal said will take 10 days to two weeks. The 2005 batting champion, Lee was injured in a collision at first base with the Los Angeles Dodgers' Rafael Furcal on April 19. ... Greg Maddux apparently was fine after experiencing stiffness in his back and legs following a 61-minute rain delay on Tuesday. Maddux pitched 5 2-3 innings and got the win in an 8-3 victory over the Reds. ``He was Greg Maddux today,'' O'Neal said. ... The Cubs are in a 16-game stretch against the NL Central's top three teams. They start a three-game series at division leader St. Louis on Friday, then head to third-place Houston and second-place Cincinnati before hosting the Astros on June 13-15. The Cubs then play three games against AL Central leader Detroit at Wrigley Field.
May 31, 2006
SEATTLE: The Mariners ended an eight-game road losing streak on Wednesday. It was their first road win since May 12, at the Los Angeles Angels. They are 3-12 their last 15 road games, and 9-17 overall. ... Seattle has given up six grand slams, all in May. Texas had grand slams in each of the last two games against the Mariners. ... Jose Lopez has 42 RBIs, the most among major league second basemen. He had an RBI single and a sacrifice fly Wednesday.
TEXAS: LHP John Koronka had the shortest start of his career, 2 2-3 innings, Wednesday. He allowed seven runs and 11 hits - both career highs. ... The Texas bullpen had pitched 13 consecutive scoreless innings until Joaquin Benoit gave up two runs in the sixth inning. ... The Rangers finished May 15-13, after going 13-12 in April. It's the first time since May and June 2004 they have had consecutive winning months. ... 3B Hank Blalock started as the DH for the first time this season. Mark DeRosa started at third.
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KANSAS CITY: Kansas City fired general manager Allard Baird and replaced him with Atlanta Braves assistant GM Dayton Moore. ``Obviously it's quite a distraction when things like this are going on,'' manager Buddy Bell said. ``Our guys have handled it pretty well. I know it affects them, but they hid it pretty well. Allard Baird is a dear friend of mine.'' ... The Royals reinstated LHP Mark Redman from the bereavement list and optioned RHP Joe Nelson to Triple-A Omaha. ... The Royals failed to sweep a road series for the first time in nearly three years - since taking three games at Texas from July 11-13, 2003. They have gone 73 straight road series without a sweep. Kansas City won the first two games by a total of three runs to capture its first road series since taking two of three in Oakland from Aug. 19-21, when the Royals ended a 19-game losing streak. ... With their 21st defeat in May, the Royals matched their most losses in a month - equaling their total from August 1999 and August 2005.
OAKLAND: 2B Mark Ellis has a broken right thumb that will sideline him up to six weeks. Ellis had X-rays late Tuesday after getting hurt breaking up a double play sliding into second in the sixth inning of an 8-7, 10-inning loss to the Royals. He will be placed on the disabled list Thursday. ``I don't know if you can get any more of a freak accident than that - breaking up a double play and breaking your thumb,'' A's manager Ken Macha said. ``Generally speaking, when you've got something broken, it's six weeks.'' ... C Jason Kendall snapped a homerless drought of 247 games and 961 at-bats with a two-run shot in the eighth. ... DH Frank Thomas hit his 459th career homer, his 11th of the season. The two-run shot gave him 1,493 RBIs, tying him with Dave Parker for 45th on the career list. It also was Thomas' 920th career extra-base hit, tying him with Willie McCovey in 44th place. ... The A's finished the month with a losing record for the second straight season after going 7-20 in May 2005 with two eight-game losing streaks.
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NEW YORK: RHP Octavio Dotel is scheduled to pitch Friday and Saturday in extended spring training games. The reliever, who had ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow last June, will pitch next week for Class-A Tampa before going to Double-A Trenton. He could join the Yankees around June 15. ... OF Bubba Crosby, on the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury, could start playing in extended spring training games this weekend. ... Reliever Jesus Colome, slowed by a shoulder injury, will throw batting practice for the second time Friday. ... Manager Joe Torre kept SS Derek Jeter out of the lineup because he thought a sore right palm hampered his play Tuesday. Jeter appeared to injure his hand sliding into second base in Monday's 4-0 win over the Tigers. Both he and OF Johnny Damon (toe) were available to pinch hit. ... Torre said he never expected Roger Clemens to return to New York. The right-hander agreed to return to Houston on Wednesday. ``I never thought he was going go anywhere else. It just seemed like a situation where he's home and he's happy with that.'' Clemens was a member of the Yankees 1999 and 2000 world champions. Tuesday's 11-6 win put the club 10 games over .500 for the first time this season. It didn't reach that plateau until Aug. 8 last year.
DETROIT: The team purchased the contract of RHP Zach Miner from Triple-A Toledo and optioned the contract of INF Jack Hannahan to Toledo. Miner was 6-0 with a 2.82 ERA in nine starts for Toledo. Hannahan was hitless in nine at bats over three games with the Tigers. ``We needed an extra pitcher,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``It's a temporary move. I don't how temporary.'' ... Detroit's 19 wins in May (19-8), going into Wednesday night's game, matched the most in the month in team history (1911, 1961 and 1984).
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CHICAGO: Brian Anderson, who began the season as the starting center fielder but has struggled at the plate, will platoon with Rob Mackowiak. Anderson will play against left-handers and Mackowiak will play against right-handers. Anderson is batting .164 and is in a 1-for-19 slump. There has been speculation he would be sent to Triple-A Charlotte. ``I know there's a lot of pressure on the kid,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``It's not a minor league situation now. I think this kid is a big part of our team. Hopefully, we'll see some improvement.'' ... Mackowiak is 17-for-40 (.425) over his last 16 games. ... 2B Tadahito Iguchi, in a 3-for-20 skid, didn't start Wednesday. ``He's not swinging the bat well right now,'' Guillen said. Alex Cintron started for Iguchi.
CLEVELAND: Closer Bob Wickman recorded his 24th straight save on Tuesday. Wickman's streak is a career high and the longest active one in the majors. ``He been steady and he has been consistent,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ``He has a confident approach out there. He's strong minded and he knows what he wants to do, and he does it.'' ... At 25-26, the Indians had the same record after 51 games as they had a year ago. ... LHP C.C. Sabathia's 74 wins are the most of any active pitcher under the age of 27. ... Sabathia is 10-3 in his career against the White Sox. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Sabathia's .769 winning percentage is the highest for a Cleveland pitcher against Chicago since Wes Ferrell went 17-5 (.773) against Chicago from 1929-33.
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TAMPA BAY: LHP Scott Kazmir will go after his eighth win Thursday against the Orioles. If he succeeds, Kazmir, who turned 22 on Jan. 24, would become the youngest pitcher to have eight wins on June 1 since Greg Maddux had nine with the Cubs in 1988 at 22 years, 2 months. ... Asked about a rumor that OF Carl Crawford might be used as trade bait, manager Joe Maddon said, ``First I have heard of it, and hopefully the last I will. He is a superstar in the making and I prefer thinking of him in our uniform.'' ... Tampa Bay lost the rights to RHP Bryan Morris, their third-round pick last season, when they couldn't work out a deal by Tuesday's deadline. Morris will be draft eligible again June 6.
BALTIMORE: OF Jay Gibbons (hip, knee injuries) missed a third straight start, but took batting practice Wednesday and hopes to return on Friday. ... LHP Bruce Chen gave up three homers over his first four innings Wednesday, giving him an AL-high 17. ... RHP Chris Ray converted all 14 of his save opportunities through Tuesday, giving Baltimore 29 straight over two seasons. The Orioles haven't blown a save since July, 19, 2005. ... SS Miguel Tejada grounded into double plays in his first two at-bats Wednesday, giving him an AL-leading 12 GIDPs this season.
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BOSTON: Manager Terry Francona talked to RHP Roger Clemens a couple of times when Boston was trying to recruit him. Clemens signed with Houston on Wednesday. ``He knows he was wanted,'' Francona said. ``I'm glad he didn't go to the Yankees. Let him stay in the National League.'' Francona suggested Boston would have given Clemens the special privileges he was seeking had he signed. ``There are times you make adjustments. Our objective is to win as many games as possible,'' Francona said. ... Francona gave C Jason Varitek a day off. Francona took into account that Doug Mirabelli entered Wednesday's game 6-for-15 with three career home runs against Toronto starter Ted Lilly.
TORONTO: CF Vernon Wells missed the game because of a sore left shoulder. Wells was examined by doctors and they found some inflammation. He's day to day and with a day off on Thursday, and hopes to be back in the lineup Friday. ``I have no idea when I did it,'' Wells said. ``Hopefully when I wake up in the morning (Thursday) I'll feel better and get back into the lineup Friday.'' Wells hit a career-high three home runs in Tuesday's game. ... C Bengie Molina is day to day after getting hit on the right hand by a fastball from Josh Beckett on Tuesday. X-rays were negative.
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MINNESOTA: The news of Roger Clemens' signing with the Astros on Wednesday was of major interest to the Twins, who are projected to be his first opponent on June 22 in the finale of a three-game interleague series at Houston. Clemens' 23 victories against Minnesota are more than any other pitcher. ... CF Torii Hunter is 0-for-22 lifetime against the seven-time Cy Young winner, with 12 strikeouts and two walks. ``I wouldn't blame him for starting against the Twins. Look at the record he has against the Twins. I mean, that's sick,'' Hunter said. ``But it's just one game, so it's nothing to get pumped up about. He's coming back with the easiest job in the world. I mean, who else can stay at home and not go on the road? I mean, $12 million for half a season? That's unheard of. But Roger Clemens is one of the best, and if you want him to pitch, you go by what he says.''
LOS ANGELES: The Angels have a day off Thursday before opening a three-game series in Cleveland, with RHP Jered Weaver (1-0) making his first career start against the Indians, who start RHP Jason Johnson (3-4). ... SS Orlando Cabrera had reached base via a hit, walk or hit by pitch in 31 straight games as of Wednesday, the longest streak of his career and the longest active streak in baseball. He had also scored a run or had an RBI in 42 of his 50 games. ... For the third straight season, the Angels reached 1 million in attendance in their 25th home game, tying a club record.
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WASHINGTON: LHP Joey Eischen was placed on the 60-day disabled list because of a torn muscle in his rotator cuff. LHP Bill Bray, a first-round pick in 2004, is expected to come up from Triple-A New Orleans to take Eischen's spot. ... RHP Santiago Ramirez has a right elbow flexor strain and is day to day. He was examined in Washington, and will rejoin the team in Milwaukee on Friday. ... Starter John Patterson, on the disabled list with a right forearm strain, is expected to have another bullpen session by the end of the week, and hopes to start his rehab assignment next week. ... Ramon Ortiz (3-4) starts the series opener against the Brewers.
PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies play just nine games at home in June. They begin an 11-game road trip in Los Angeles on Thursday. ... Gavin Floyd (4-2) faces the Dodgers in the series opener. ... OF David Dellucci made his fifth start on Wednesday. He went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, filling in for Pat Burrell. ``Dellucci can hit,'' manager Charlie Manuel said. ``He has a nice swing. He's quick to the ball. I think he'd be a productive hitter if he played every day.''... RHP Geoff Geary hasn't walked a batter in 10 2-3 innings.
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HOUSTON: RHP Roy Oswalt, who left his last start after six innings due to a tight right hamstring, doesn't expect to miss a turn. ``It's sore, but I don't think it's going to bother me,'' Oswalt said. ... The Astros improved to 2-19 when trailing after six innings by rallying with a five-run seventh to win on Tuesday. ... In terms of players who played primarily infield positions, Craig Biggio's 623 career doubles rank fourth behind only Hall of Famers George Brett (665), Nap Lajoie (657) and Honus Wagner (640). Wagner is eighth on the career list, the next target for Biggio. ... Milo Hamilton did a broadcast in his 52nd stadium, adding new Busch Stadium to the list. He'll make it 53 on June 26 at Detroit's Comerica Park.
ST. LOUIS: David Eckstein was worried that he had broken his left wrist when he got hit by a pitch by Mike Gallo in the 11th inning. X-rays were negative. ``It's kind of scary to get hit in that area,'' Eckstein said. ``I was fortunate.'' ... RHP Jeff Suppan was stuck on 99 victories for the second straight game, giving up three runs in six innings against the Astros. Suppan is 2-6 with a 4.73 ERA against the Astros, although he didn't face them last year. Mark Mulder won his 100th game earlier this year. ... Albert Pujols leads the major leagues with 65 RBIs, more than nine Cardinals' season leaders. The last with a total below Pujols' 53-game total was Tommy Herr and Andy Van Slyke with 61 apiece in 1986.
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COLORADO - Nearly a dozen Rockies players and staff members were sick at some point during a three-game series at San Diego, which followed a series in San Francisco. The previous team to come out of a series at San Francisco, the St. Louis Cardinals, also had several sick players by the time they got to San Diego. ... The Rockies had a team ERA of 3.84 in May, just the third time in club history they've finished a month under 4.00. ... The Rockies were 27-26 at the end of May, compared to 15-35 at the end of May last year.
SAN DIEGO - Backup C Josh Bard has at least one hit in nine of his 10 starts this season and is batting .436 with 14 RBIs in those games. ... The Padres were 19-10 in May despite winning only six of their last 15 games. A year ago, they were 22-6 in May - the best month in franchise history - on their way to winning the NL West title.
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MILWAUKEE: Manager Ned Yost said the Brewers will ``ride the storm'' after injuries to RHPs Ben Sheets, Tomo Ohka and Rick Helling - 60 percent of the team's projected starting rotation. Milwaukee has been keeping eight relievers as part of a 13-man pitching staff. Yost, who said all three of his starters should return by the All-Star break, has been protecting closer Derrick Turnbow and top set-up men Dan Kolb and Matt Wise by using other relievers during recent games in which the starter was knocked out early. ``When you're managing, you're not just managing for today,'' he said. ``You're managing for July, August and September. You don't want to kill those guys'' ... Yost gave 2B Rickie Weeks a routine day off Wednesday night and said he would do the same of OF Geoff Jenkins on Thursday and OF Carlos Lee and 1B Prince Fielder this weekend. ``It's been a long, hot week,'' Yost said. Game-time temperatures for the series in Pittsburgh have been in the upper 80s.
PITTSBURGH: 2B Jose Castillo's batting average from May 9 through Tuesday night was .419 - best in the National League over that span. He had hit safely in 16 of 18 games and homered in four consecutive. ``Watching him these last few nights, I know it's in him. It's in there,'' Tracy said. ``He's making the opposing club throw the ball over the plate and getting himself good pitches to hit in favorable counts.'' ... RHP Kip Wells, who has not pitched this season after having surgery on March 6 to repair an artery in his right shoulder, started a game for the Pirates' extended spring training team in Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday. Although Wells allowed four runs and nine hits in three innings, Tracy was encouraged by the fact there were no physical setbacks and that Wells' velocity remained constant. ... Tracy was asked why the Pirates used the same lineup for three consecutive games Monday through Wednesday. ``Twenty-six runs and 35 hits,'' he answered, the totals for the first two games, wins over Milwaukee. The Pirates had not scored more then 10 runs in three straight games since 1930.
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SAN FRANCISCO: RF Randy Winn had Wednesday off as manager Felipe Alou continued to juggle the lineup in an effort to give players some much-needed rest. 3B Pedro Feliz resisted Alou's offer to take the day off, and the manager didn't push the issue with RHP Jason Schmidt on the mound. ``Any time you have your ace going, you want your (best) defensive guys in the field,'' Alou said. ... CF Steve Finley was in the lineup, but will rest Friday when the Giants open a weekend series at New York. ``Some guys don't want to accept that they are tired and fatigued,'' Alou said. ``But I know they are.''
FLORIDA: 3B Miguel Cabrera leads the NL in batting, however rookies Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Josh Willingham and Mike Jacobs also played a role in a successful homestand that ended Wednesday night. Uggla and Ramirez are among the NL rookie leaders in hits. Willingham, Uggla and Jacobs are among the rookie leaders in home runs and RBIs. The Giants were impressed with what they saw in the first two games of the series. ``They are what I expected,'' Alou said. ``They have good players. They're young, and they're going to get better.''
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ARIZONA: RHP Brandon Webb made his 108th career start for Arizona to move ahead of Curt Schilling for third most in franchise history. Randy Johnson (192) and Brian Anderson (129) are the only two players with more. ... 1B Conor Jackson got the day off. Manager Bob Melvin said he's had a little cold and had never faced Mets RHP Pedro Martinez. Melvin also wanted to get Tony Clark in the lineup. Clark was hitting .368 (7-for-19) against Martinez before Wednesday's game ... Melvin said he would use RHP Jorge Julio as his closer if the situation warranted Wednesday night. RHP Jose Valverde has blown two straight saves and allowed nine earned runs in his last 3 2-3 innings. Melvin said they want to give Valverde a physical and mental break, and he isn't sure who will close in upcoming games. ... CF Eric Byrnes extended his hitting streak to a team-high 14 games with a single in the first inning.
NEW YORK: Jose Valentin was in the starting lineup for the fourth straight game at 2B. He was 12-for-26 (.462) with four home runs and 14 RBIs in nine starts before Wednesday. 2B Kaz Matsui hasn't started since Saturday. ``I don't think there's any type of open competition where they'll be fighting for playing time,'' manager Willie Randolph said. ``I'm still going to again do what I think is right as far as who plays.'' Matsui had made 29 starts at 2B, Chris Woodward seven, and Valentin five. ... RHP John Maine (right middle finger) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk against Charlotte on Thursday night. He tossed five shutout innings for Single-A St. Lucie on Saturday. ... OF Xavier Nady was released from the hospital Wednesday morning after he had an appendectomy Tuesday. The Mets placed Nady on the 15-day DL Tuesday and called up prized prospect OF Lastings Milledge. ... The San Francisco Giants and slugger Barry Bonds open a three-game series at New York on Friday. ``We'll have to wait and see,'' Randolph said of how the crowds in New York will be toward Bonds. ``I'm sure there's going to be a reaction.'' ... U.S. Soccer players Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu threw out ceremonial first pitches before the game. The team's first game in the World Cup is June 12 against Czech Republic.
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LOS ANGELES: 2B Jeff Kent will have an MRI on Thursday when the Dodgers return to Los Angeles. He wasn't in the lineup for the fourth straight game after spraining his left wrist. The Dodgers want to make sure it's nothing worse. ``We've got to find out for sure,'' manager Grady Little said. ``It's a little better, but it's not good enough to play.'' The Dodgers will have to make a roster move if Kent is going to be out longer than expected. ``Writing a lineup for us every day is an adventure,'' Little quipped. ... SS Cesar Izturis, who hasn't played this season after surgery on his right elbow, will be joining the Dodgers' Triple-A team at Las Vegas. He will play second base at least the first three games with the minor league team, ``as a way of easing his arm into it,'' Little said. ``We're not going to rush Cesar.''
ATLANTA: RHP John Smoltz doesn't think he'll follow the same path as Roger Clemens, who halted another retirement to pitch the rest of the season for the Houston Astros. ``I'll be perfectly content the day I walk away,'' Smoltz said. ``I don't think I'll be six months later saying, 'You know what? I made a bad decision. I think I want to go back.''' Smoltz, who turned 39 on May 15, admits that he's been pondering his own retirement. ``I've started to think about the end more than I ever have,'' he said. ... 3B Chipper Jones moved into second place on Atlanta's career home run list with a two-run shot in the third inning. That gave him 336 in his career, breaking a tie with Aaron and trailing only Dale Murphy (371). Of course, Aaron is far ahead of both Jones and Murphy on the overall list, but more than half of his 755 homers came before the Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966.
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CINCINNATI: LHP Brian Shackelford was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday to make room for newly acquired right-hander Esteban Yan. Shackelford is 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 relief appearances. The Reds acquired the 30-year-old Yan and an undisclosed amount of cash from the Los Angeles Angels for minor-league pitcher Kyle Edens on Tuesday. Yan had a 6.85 ERA in 13 games this season and was designated for assignment on Friday. ... The Reds had lost five of six entering Wednesday's game.
CHICAGO: Derrek Lee took an important step in his recovery from two fractured bones just above his wrist joint Wednesday when the cast on his right arm was removed. Trainer Mark O'Neal said X-rays ``showed significant healing.'' Lee will not resume baseball activities until he has regained full range of motion, which O'Neal said will take 10 days to two weeks. The 2005 batting champion, Lee was injured in a collision at first base with the Los Angeles Dodgers' Rafael Furcal on April 19. ... Greg Maddux apparently was fine after experiencing stiffness in his back and legs following a 61-minute rain delay on Tuesday. Maddux pitched 5 2-3 innings and got the win in an 8-3 victory over the Reds. ``He was Greg Maddux today,'' O'Neal said. ... The Cubs are in a 16-game stretch against the NL Central's top three teams. They start a three-game series at division leader St. Louis on Friday, then head to third-place Houston and second-place Cincinnati before hosting the Astros on June 13-15. The Cubs then play three games against AL Central leader Detroit at Wrigley Field.