2009 MLB Season [Archive] - RX Muscle Forums

JohnnyMuscles

04-08-2009, 11:27 PM

Correction, STILL sucks..LOL. Im a realist, I was just enjoying a couple wins. The Mets SHOULD win the division this year. But I hope the Braves can at least stay in it for a while... I like the starters, but man , they did nothing for the pen....

I hear you I think the Braves should be in it until the end if Chipper can stay healthy. Hey they won 14 divisions in a row you can't beat that! I dunno if they should win the division the last two years were really hard to take I don't think I can take another year like that. I think because the season is so long You kinda like get more attached to your baseball team vs other sports that the horrible losses and choking gets to you more lol. In other sports when the clock hits zero you lose but in baseball you never know that's what kills you! Okay enough rambling lets hope for a good race this year!

tommy gunn

04-09-2009, 07:26 AM

Damn our bullpen! Gave up 8 runs in the 9th

Sandpig

04-25-2009, 07:55 AM

Red Sox 1
Yankees 0

BEAST MODE

04-25-2009, 09:33 AM

Cards 4, Cubs 3
Hell of a game last night! Fans were going apeshit like it was September!

Sandpig

04-27-2009, 02:38 PM

Sweep for the Sox!:beerbang:

BigAl33

04-27-2009, 04:01 PM

Sweep for the Sox!:beerbang:
Gotta love the Yanks gettin spanked

BananaHammock

05-06-2009, 04:14 PM

Finally the Royals are looking like a real team. I went and saw Zack pitch Monday and it was something special. It’s nice to see him get on track with his career and personal life.

I get this from ESPN.

News: Another day, another shutout for Greinke. The Royals ace slammed the door on Chicago, 3-0, Monday night. He allowed just six hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts en route to his second shutout of the year.
Spin: What more can you say? A 6-0 record, 0.40 ERA, three complete games and 54 strikeouts in 45 innings. Greinke is a front-line ace no matter the format you're playing.

Bennny

05-06-2009, 04:59 PM

Yeah baby

JohnnyMuscles

05-15-2009, 04:40 PM

So far he's been nasty, it will be interesting to see if he can pitch lights out for most of the year.

vboissiere

05-21-2009, 05:43 AM

He's a great story. I'm not a Royals fan, but I'm routing for him!

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:16 PM

NEW YORK(AP) CC Sabathia kept his cool after one unlikely homer and Robinson Cano (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7497/index.html) rewarded the Yankees' ace for his composure.
Cano hit a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning and matched a career high with four hits, leading Sabathia and New York to a 5-3 victory over the woeful Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) on Tuesday night.

Sabathia (6-4) held Washington in check after light-hitting Anderson Hernandez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7680/index.html) 's three-run shot in the fifth gave the Nationals the lead. The 6-foot-7 left-hander departed after walking Nick Johnson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6401/index.html) with two outs in the eighth inning and received a standing ovation.

''That's what I've talked about all year,'' Sabathia said, ''is just if I do give up hits and a couple runs or get behind just keeping us in the game, keeping us close where we can put a rally together and score a couple runs late in the game.''

Brian Bruney (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7324/index.html) , activated off the disabled list earlier in the day, made just his second appearance since April 21 and got Ryan Zimmerman (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7627/index.html) to ground out. Mariano Rivera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5400/index.html) worked the ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances.

''Just all around a good game,'' New York manager Joe Girardi (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4296/index.html) said.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5406/index.html) departed after seven innings with left ankle soreness and replacement Ramiro Pena (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8441/index.html) hit an RBI single in the eighth to give New York a 5-3 cushion.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:17 PM

CLEVELAND(AP) Yovani Gallardo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7926/index.html) wanted to throw perfect strikes and suddenly could not throw any.

Gallardo (7-3) won for the third time in four starts despite walking a season-high six as the Milwaukee Brewers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/brewers/index.html) beat the Cleveland Indians (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/indians/index.html) 7-5 on Tuesday night.

''I tried to be too fine against a patient ballclub,'' Gallardo said. ''Before I knew it, I was throwing, 6, 7, 8 pitches to almost every hitter. But I was able to minimize the damage and our offense came through for a win.''

The defense helped, too. Center fielder Mike Cameron (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5492/index.html) made a fine running catch in right-center to take away Mark DeRosa (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6094/index.html) 's bid for extra bases with a runner on second in the eighth. Prince Fielder (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7290/index.html) 's diving stop at first base with a runner on took a hit away from Ryan Garko (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7503/index.html) - just before Travis Hafner (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6980/index.html) hit a two-run homer in the ninth.

''Flip a coin as to which play was best,'' Milwaukee manager Ken Macha (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/737/index.html) said. ''The ball Cam caught had a bunch of runs written all over it. Fielder saved us a run, too.''

Gallardo gave up two runs and five hits while striking out eight. He twice worked out of bases-loaded jams.

The Indians went hitless in 14 tries with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners stranded overall until Hafner delivered to make it 7-5.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:21 PM

BALTIMORE(AP) Knowing how bad it feels to lose a game on a dropped popup, the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) refused to revel in the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles/index.html) ' misery.

Orioles first baseman Aubrey Huff (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6545/index.html) muffed a seventh-inning pop down the right-field line, an error that produced two unearned runs and helped the Mets pull out a 6-4 victory Tuesday night.

New York had lost eight of 12, including two of three to the hated Yankees over the weekend. In the first game, Mets second baseman Luis Castillo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5676/index.html) dropped a popup that enabled the Yankees to score two ninth-inning runs in a 9-8 victory.

This time, the same kind of error went New York's way.

The Mets led 4-2 in the seventh before loading the bases with two outs. David Wright (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7382/index.html) lifted a fly that Huff tried to snare with an over-the-shoulder catch. The ball bounded out of his glove, providing New York with what proved to be the winning runs.

''It's a tough game. We've all been there,'' Wright said. ''I've dropped popups; I know how tough it is when you start backpedaling and that ball starts bouncing. That's the beautiful and sometimes the terrible thing about this game. It's very humbling. Just when you think everything's going good and everything's going well, something like that happens.''

It isn't often that a game is decided by a dropped popup. For the Mets, that's twice in four games.

''I don't laugh at those,'' said Jerry Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/751/index.html) , who completed one year as the Mets manager and has seen more than his share of mistake-filled play. ''It's a nightmare and I wake up sweating. But it's a part of baseball. In the course of 162, everybody gets their breaks and all those things even out, for the most part.''

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:22 PM

PHILADELPHIA(AP) Winning an interleague game was a long and painstaking process for the Toronto Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) , so they'll settle for a victory any way possible.

Scott Rolen (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5668/index.html) singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and the Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) went on to score four more runs to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies/index.html) 8-3 on Tuesday night.

The Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) , who snapped a four-game skid and won for the first time in seven games against the NL, rallied for the victory despite leaving 16 runners on base.

''We did everything we could to give that game away, but well take it,'' Toronto manager Cito Gaston (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40882/index.html) said.

The Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) tied the game in the ninth when fill-in closer Ryan Madson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7071/index.html) walked Lyle Overbay (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6639/index.html) with the bases loaded to make it 3-3.
With one out in the 10th, Aaron Hill (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7483/index.html) and Vernon Wells (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6327/index.html) had consecutive singles, setting up Rolen's RBI hit against Clay Condrey (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6989/index.html) (4-2).

''I was just trying to have a good at-bat,'' Rolen said. ''I felt like I was seeing the ball well.''

Scott Downs (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6447/index.html) (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless ninth for the Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) . Downs earned his first win since Sept. 27, 2007 against Tampa Bay, a span of 92 appearances. But Downs left the game after the ninth with a sore left foot. X-rays taken after the game were negative.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:24 PM

CINCINNATI(AP) The infield was wet and clumpy. The warning track was under water. Doing anything was a challenge after two downpours turned Great American Ball Park into a diamond-shaped fishing pond.

A bad night for baseball? Not for the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) .

Laynce Nix (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7176/index.html) drove in three runs Tuesday night, and Brandon Phillips (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6857/index.html) had three hits on a soggy field, helping the Reds overcome a pair of rain delays and nasty conditions for a 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/braves/index.html) that ended their four-game losing streak.

''We broke out at the right time, too - late in the ballgame,'' manager Dusty Baker (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41/index.html) said. ''We needed that badly.''

Nix drove in runs with a groundout and a pair of doubles, the last one during a four-run eighth inning that broke it open.

''It was bad,'' said Nix, who had three hits. ''The field was wet, and there were puddles on the warning track. But you have to block it out. The biggest battle is cooling down and warming up so many times.''

Left-hander Daniel Ray Herrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8266/index.html) (1-2) got his first major league victory, pitching three scoreless innings after a 1-hour, 54-minute delay forced starter Aaron Harang (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6936/index.html) out of the game in the third inning.

Braves starter Jair Jurrjens (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8091/index.html) (5-5) went only two innings before the rain ended his performance, too. It was the latest in a series of disappointments for the right-hander, who has lost all three of his June starts despite giving up a total of seven runs.

''Baseball is about luck,'' Jurrjens said. ''You can pitch good and not get the win. You can pitch bad and not get the loss. Right now, I'm not having luck on my side.''

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:26 PM

BOSTON(AP) Tim Wakefield (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4906/index.html) 's ninth win moved him another spot closer to the AL lead, and the Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) think it might finally be the 42-year-old knuckleballer's chance to make his first career All-Star team.

''You think about team goals and things like that,'' Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) manager Terry Francona (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2089/index.html) said, ''but there's no doubt we're pulling for him. We're human, and there's no getting around that.''

David Ortiz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5909/index.html) helped out with a homer and a two-run single in Boston's six-run fourth inning Tuesday night as the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) beat the Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) 8-2 for their fourth straight victory.

Wakefield (9-3) allowed two runs in six innings for his fifth win in six starts, but he has had more impressive streaks before. He went 8-1 in a late-season callup as a Pittsburgh rookie, and he won 14 of his first 15 decisions after joining the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) in '95; he was 10-3 at the break with Boston in 1998, but he has never been selected to the All-Star game.

''I've been (considered) a number of times in my career, and hopefully I'm mentioned again this year,'' said Wakefield, who is closing in on Roger Clemens (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/3340/index.html) ' franchise records for wins at Fenway and for starts. ''That will mean a lot more when I'm retired. Right now, I'm just one of 25 guys in that clubhouse trying to get to the World Series.''

Wakefield fanned the first two Marlins with six straight strikes, and he finished with four strikeouts and one walk to tie with Minnesota's Kevin Slowey (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7968/index.html) with nine wins, one behind AL leader Roy Halladay (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6134/index.html) of Toronto. Wakefield gave up six hits in all - two of them to Chris Coghlan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8469/index.html) , who drove in both runs for Florida.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:27 PM

ARLINGTON, Texas(AP) Ivan Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4680/index.html) rounded the bases to a standing ovation from the Texas Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rangers/index.html) fans, who got to salute one of their former stars and still celebrate a victory.

Rodriguez homered leading off the fifth for the only Houston run in a 6-1 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday night, when the 13-time All-Star catcher matched the major league record for games caught while playing against his original team.

''I'm very pleased. It's an unbelievable record to tie Carlton Fisk (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/337/index.html) . I respect him a lot,'' said Rodriguez, who got warm receptions each time he was introduced. ''It was nice to hear that.''

Rodriguez, who began his career at age 19 in 1991 and played 12 seasons in Texas, caught his 2,226th career game to tie Fisk, the Hall of Famer catcher who played for Boston (1969-80) and the Chicago White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) (1981-93). The two share the record, at least for a day, and also a nickname - ''Pudge.''

Ian Kinsler (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7490/index.html) snapped out of his slump by going 3 for 4 with two homers and Kevin Millwood (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5848/index.html) (7-4) allowed one run over seven innings to win his third straight start for AL West-leading Texas.

Millwood is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in eight starts this season at hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark. His last two victories snapped Texas losing streaks.

''He's definitely spoiling us. That's classic Millwood right there,'' Michael Young (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6613/index.html) said. ''I think Milly senses when we need to get some momentum back on our side.''

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:30 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) Gil Meche (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6266/index.html) wanted to finish what he started.
Meche pitched a four-hit shutout and Mark Teahen (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7365/index.html) had three hits and drove in a run as the Kansas City Royals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/royals/index.html) beat the Arizona Diamondbacks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/diamondbacks/index.html) 5-0 Tuesday.

After eight innings and 110 pitches, Royals manager Trey Hillman came over to Meche in the dugout and said, ''nice job.''

Meche, however, was not about to turn this game over to the bullpen, although Hillman had Joakim Soria (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7964/index.html) and John Bale (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6370/index.html) warming up.

''If I was really tired or if I felt my arm was getting heavy after 110, I would have taken myself out,'' Meche said. ''It is my career, too. By going out there, I've got to make sure I'm good enough to throw. That's why I made the decision. I told him, 'Look I feel fine. Let me go out there and get it.' So he let me do it.

''I think everyone in this clubhouse understands when the starting pitcher has a chance to get a shutout, you don't want to waste it. It doesn't happen too often, especially for me. It's good to finally get one as a Royal. I don't have too many complete games (six), much less shutouts, and I wanted to go out there and get this one and felt I had a good chance to do it.

''It took a lot of pitches, especially on the last guy, he was killing me, but I was able to finish it.''

Stephen Drew (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7560/index.html) flied out to David DeJesus (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7232/index.html) in a 10-pitch at-bat to end the game.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:32 PM

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) Joe Mauer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7062/index.html) is tired of talking about hitting .400.
Mauer had his second four-hit game of the season, Glen Perkins (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7711/index.html) won his first start off the disabled list, and the Minnesota Twins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/twins/index.html) beat the Pittsburgh Pirates (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/pirates/index.html) 8-2 Tuesday night to keep up their impressive interleague play.

Mauer had three singles and an RBI double, raising his average to .429. The defending AL batting champion, sidelined in April because of a back injury, also had four hits against Kansas City on May 2.

''I just tried to keep it simple tonight,'' said Mauer, who hasn't felt well since last week in Oakland. ''I've been having a good stretch here. It's probably not going to last forever, but I'm going to try to hold onto it as long as I can.''

Mauer shakes his head in amazement when asked about hitting .400 or better, and so does his manager.

''He just keeps swinging, keeps hitting and getting it done,'' said Ron Gardenhire (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2090/index.html) . ''I'm just enjoying watching him doing it. It's amazing.''
After three singles up the middle, Mauer, protecting the plate, hit a down-and-in pitch between first baseman Adam LaRoche (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7253/index.html) and the bag for an RBI double in the sixth.

''He should be MVP,'' said Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7636/index.html) . ''You throw him a breaking ball and he doesn't really budge. I threw some sinkers inside and he somehow inside-outs it and hits ground balls up the middle hard. You're not really getting in on him.''

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:33 PM

ST. LOUIS(AP) After Adam Wainwright (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7048/index.html) escaped a first-inning mess, the St. Louis Cardinals made Justin Verlander (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7590/index.html) pay.

Albert Pujols (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6619/index.html) hit his fifth home run in five games - and the longest homer at Busch Stadium this season - to lead a 14-hit barrage. Wainwright righted himself to work seven strong innings in an 11-2 rout over the Tigers and their ace Tuesday night.

''You can't figure this game at all,'' Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41354/index.html) said. ''We haven't been scoring in bunches.''

Pujols drew his major league-leading 19th and 20th intentional walks in only semi-threatening situations before lining his 23rd homer an estimated 446 feet over the left field wall off Ryan Perry (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8427/index.html) to start the sixth. Chris Duncan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7658/index.html) followed with a 418-foot shot that gave the light-hitting Cardinals back-to-back homers for the first time all season.
Verlander (7-3) lasted four innings in the Tigers' first game in St. Louis since losing the clinching Game 5 of the 2006 World Series. Wainwright got the final out as the stand-in closer.

''Always good memories,'' Wainwright said. ''I like to think of things like that. I can't think of it enough.''

Verlander had been 7-0 with a 1.10 ERA over nine starts before running into trouble against a team that had scored three or fewer runs in 10 of its previous 15 games. It was 80 degrees at game time, not at all oppressive in a city known for its brutal summers, but Verlander said the humidity sapped him.

''I think after the first inning, I was just gassed,'' Verlander said. ''I couldn't get my legs underneath me. It was a weird feeling.''

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:34 PM

DENVER(AP) Troy Tulowitzki (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7850/index.html) figured if he and the Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) were going to lose for the first time in two weeks, they might as well lose big.

The Tampa Rays hit five homers among their franchise-record 11 extra-base hits and smashed Colorado's 11-game winning streak 12-4 on Tuesday night.

''It's not like we can say, 'Oh, it was a close game. If we'd have gotten that clutch hit in the end,''' Tulowitzki reasoned. ''They beat us up pretty good. Now, we just start over tomorrow.''

Colorado's winning streak was tied with Boston for the longest in the majors this season and also tied for the longest in Rockies' history, matching the mark set during their 21-1 run to the 2007 World Series.

Although they failed to make it an even dozen straight victories and climb back to .500, the Rockies have turned what was looking like a lost season into one in which they believe they'll contend deep into the summer, at least for the wild card.

''I think we've grown more confidence to know we can compete,'' Tulowitzki said. ''But now the bar is set higher.''

The longest winning streak in the majors now belongs to the Rays at six games. They got home runs from Evan Longoria (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7914/index.html) , Carlos Pena (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6621/index.html) , Gabe Kapler (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6140/index.html) , Ben Zobrist (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7829/index.html) and B.J. Upton.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:35 PM

SAN DIEGO(AP) When Felix Hernandez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7487/index.html) had his worst outing of the season in May, Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4651/index.html) had seen enough.
Wakamatsu had a heart-to-heart talk with his talented pitcher and the results since have been phenomenal.

Hernandez threw his fifth straight outstanding game as he tossed a two-hitter against San Diego on Tuesday night to lead the Mariners to a 5-0 win, handing the Padres a record 12th straight interleague loss.

Since allowing six runs and 11 hits in 5 2-3 innings in a 6-5 loss on May 19 against the Los Angeles Angels (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/angels/index.html) of Anaheim, Hernandez has given up one earned run or less in five straight starts. Hernandez is 3-0 with an ERA of 0.72 in that stretch, having allowed just three runs in 37 2-3 innings.

''From that point on, I've seen a different pitcher,'' Wakamatsu said.
Hernandez pitched with ease in shutting down the Padres for his third career shutout and sixth career complete game.

''I felt pretty good tonight,'' Hernandez said. ''All the pitches felt pretty good. I had great command.''

Franklin Gutierrez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7644/index.html) and Adrian Beltre (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6039/index.html) each hit solo homers to provide the only offense Hernandez would need.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:36 PM

LOS ANGELES(AP) Joe Torre (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41654/index.html) tied Sparky Anderson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41839/index.html) for fifth place on the all-time managerial wins list, and Matt Kemp (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7780/index.html) helped him do it in dramatic fashion.

Kemp drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the 10th inning, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/dodgers/index.html) beat the Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics/index.html) 5-4 on Tuesday night and providing Torre with his 2,194th victory during the regular season.

Torre, whose loss total is 36 fewer than Anderson's, has won six pennants and four World Series titles. Anderson won five pennants and three World Series championships. Both were named AL manager of the year twice, Torre with the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) , Anderson with the Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers/index.html) .

''It means you've been around a long time,'' Torre said. ''It's a pretty good neighborhood. Sparky's a friend. I've had respect for Sparky Anderson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41839/index.html) from the first moment I met him, and even before that when I watched him manage in the early days as a 37-year-old kid.''
Orlando Hudson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6875/index.html) greeted Brad Ziegler (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8262/index.html) (1-2) with a leadoff single and Casey Blake (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6310/index.html) reached on a fielding error by two-time Gold Glove shortstop Orlando Cabrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5900/index.html) . James Loney (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7725/index.html) , who doesn't have a sacrifice bunt all season, bunted two pitches foul before grounding into a double play.

Loney originally was ruled safe at first after second baseman Adam Kennedy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6318/index.html) 's throw pulled first baseman Jason Giambi (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5386/index.html) off the bag. But TV replays showed Giambi tagged Loney in time. Oakland manager Bob Geren (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4200/index.html) asked umpire Jim Joyce to get a second opinion, and the call was reversed.

Goodfellas

06-17-2009, 02:38 PM

SAN FRANCISCO(AP) Sean O'Sullivan won in an impressive big league debut, then received his ticket back to the minors.

He knows he'll get another chance if he keeps pitching this well.
''It's been a thrill ride,'' said O'Sullivan, who had nine family members and friends make the trip from San Diego on short notice.

Mike Napoli (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7754/index.html) had a three-run homer among his four hits, O'Sullivan pitched seven strong innings and the Los Angeles Angels (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/angels/index.html) beat the San Francisco Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/giants/index.html) 8-1 on Tuesday night for their season-best fifth straight victory.

''As the game went on and he got ahead of some good hitters, you really saw his ability to keep guys off balance,'' manager Mike Scioscia (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1987/index.html) said of O'Sullivan. ''It's great to see a guy like Sean O'Sullivan come up and give us a game like this.''

O'Sullivan (1-0) was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to make the start after the Angels scratched Ervin Santana (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7547/index.html) because of a strain below his pitching elbow in the forearm area - then O'Sullivan was sent back down afterward as the Angels brought up Rafael Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8449/index.html) to give them another arm.

''I'll try to build off this,'' O'Sullivan said. ''You never know when your next opportunity is going to be. I'll go back to Salt Lake and keep performing.''

The Angels' first three hits off Jonathan Sanchez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7777/index.html) (2-7) were doubles, including one by Juan Rivera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6805/index.html) that put Los Angeles ahead for good in the first. The Angels had 15 hits and have 15 homers, 70 hits and 43 runs during their winning streak.

Scioscia has said he knew his roster had punch, it just took some time to get on a roll.

GottaGetLean

06-17-2009, 11:56 PM

baseball is the worst sport ever.. i rather watch grass grow:hang:

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:15 AM

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Ivan Rodriguez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/4680) was 19 when the Texas Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rangers) promoted the fresh-faced catcher with a cannon for an arm to the major leagues midway through the 1991 season.

He already had an AL MVP award, 10 Gold Gloves and 10 All-Star appearances when the Rangers let him go 12 seasons later. But there were more Gold Gloves and All-Star games to come, plus a World Series title with Florida in 2003, the year after he left Texas.
Now he's caught more games than anybody else -- and fittingly, he set the record in Texas.

Rodriguez, now with the Houston Astros (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/astros), caught his 2,227th game Wednesday night against the Rangers, a night after matching Carlton Fisk -- a Hall of Fame catcher also nicknamed "Pudge".
"To be able to play so many games behind the plate, it's unbelievable," Rodriguez said. "It's been a long time. But I'm still feeling the same way [as] when I was 19. I love this game. I love what I do."

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:16 AM

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Pedro Martinez could be back on a Major League Baseball mound soon.

The pitcher said on Wednesday that he has had talks with the Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs) and Tampa Bay Rays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rays) and hopes to sign a contract in the near future.

"There's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but there still isn't anything firm," Martinez told The Associated Press.

Martinez, 37, has been training in his Dominican Republic homeland in hopes of returning to the majors. His four-year deal with the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets) ended after last season, making Martinez a free agent.
"Chicago and Tampa Bay are the two teams that have shown the most interest and we are negotiating with them, although I've told my agent not to call me until it's a done deal," he said.

Martinez wants to sign with the team that has the best chance of winning a pennant.

"I need the emotion of competition," he said.

Martinez has a 214-99 record with an ERA of 2.91 in 17 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/dodgers), Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox) and the Mets.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:17 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Manny Ramirez appears to be a week away from beginning a minor league assignment as he nears the end of his 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy.

Manager Joe Torre said Wednesday that it was possible that Ramirez would start out playing for Class A Inland Empire next Thursday. The 66ers begin a three-game series at Lake Elsinore that day before playing their next three at home against Rancho Cucamonga, making it convenient for Ramirez to drive from his home in Pasadena.

Ramirez is eligible to begin his assignment next Tuesday, but there are no games in the California League until Thursday because of their All-Star break. He is eligible to be reinstated on July 3, when the Dodgers are in San Diego.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:18 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A congressional committee will look into former baseball slugger Sammy Sosa's denial that he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs in light of a report that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003.

The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Democratic Rep. Edolphus Towns of New York, says that the committee takes seriously suggestions that a witness had been misleading.

Towns said in a statement Wednesday that he will determine the appropriate steps following a review of the matter.

In 2005, Sosa told Congress that he had never taken illegal performance-enhancing drugs. The New York Times reported Tuesday that Sosa tested positive two years before his appearance at a House hearing.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:20 AM

CHICAGO (AP) -- Sammy Sosa may have been slamming balls with the aid of performance-enhancers, but Chicago White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox) slugger Paul Konerko (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/5908) wasn't quite ready to believe it.

He wants more evidence.

Slammin' Sammy became the latest in a line of stars implicated in steroids use when the New York Times reported Tuesday he was among the 104 players who tested positive in baseball's anonymous 2003 survey. The paper cited lawyers with knowledge of the 2003 drug-testing results who spoke on condition of anonymity because they did not want to publicly discuss material under court seal.

In Konerko's mind, there are "only two ways this becomes a story."
"Put your name behind it," Konerko said before Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs). "Put your face out there and tell people who you are. Or, Sammy's going to admit to it and that's what happened in the Alex Rodriguez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/5275) thing."

Rodriguez admitted using steroids from 2001-03 with Texas following a report by Sports Illustrated that his name was on the list.
Sosa, who last played with Texas in 2007, hit all but 64 of his 609 homers with the Cubs and ranks sixth on baseball's home run list. He denied in a 2005 Congressional hearing ever taking "illegal performance-enhancing drugs" but stated carefully: "I have not broken the laws of the United States or the laws of the Dominican Republic."

The list has been subject to a protracted court fight by the players' association, which maintains federal prosecutors seized it illegally in 2004. The case is currently before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Konerko doesn't think it should be made public.

"When two sides sign a contract, usually you try to uphold it," he said.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:23 AM

CHICAGO(AP) John Danks (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7808/index.html) pitched like he did at the end of last season and that was good enough to beat the struggling Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) .

The left-hander didn't allow a run through seven strong innings Wednesday, Alexei Ramirez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8169/index.html) homered in the first and the White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) parlayed some NL-style small ball into some late runs to beat the Cubs 4-1 at Wrigley Field.

''You know the Cubs are going to swing the bats and that helps you calm down to throw strikes and let them put the ball in play. Fortunately, they were hitting them to our guys,'' Danks said.
''It is fun to come here in this atmosphere.''

Danks won a one-game playoff against the Twins with eight shutout innings to send the White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) into the playoffs last season and also captured an ALDS victory against Tampa Bay.

He'd had a couple of rough outings this season, but came up with one of his best performances of the year. He gave up one run and five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in seven-plus innings.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:27 AM

SAN FRANCISCO(AP) When Mike Scioscia (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1987/index.html) looked down the Angels' bench for pinch-hitters in the eighth inning, he had at his disposal an eight-time All-Star, a couple of slugging two-time All-Stars, and a catcher hitting around .500 for the past few days.

''It's like, 'What do you want for dinner? You want linguine with red clam sauce, or white clam?''' the well-fed manager asked before the game. ''They're both good.''

Scioscia only had that excess of flavor on his bench because of some nagging injuries, but the Angels' super subs and their suddenly solid bullpen made a late-inning feast of their 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/giants/index.html) on Wednesday.

Pinch-hitters Torii Hunter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5884/index.html) and Vladimir Guerrero (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5737/index.html) opened Los Angeles' three-run rally with consecutive singles in the eighth inning off Tim Lincecum (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7981/index.html) , who couldn't quite finish strong in his first loss since April 12. Chone Figgins (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6986/index.html) then drove home Hunter and scored the go-ahead run on Juan Rivera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6805/index.html) 's groundout when third baseman Pablo Sandoval (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8326/index.html) bobbled it just long enough to ruin his chance for a play at the plate.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:28 AM

PHILADELPHIA(AP) Scott Richmond (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8311/index.html) wanted to prove he belonged in the rotation. At the rate Toronto is losing pitchers and with the way he threw, Richmond's job is secure.

The right-hander struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings, Aaron Hill (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7483/index.html) hit a two-run homer and the Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) beat the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies/index.html) 7-1 on Wednesday night.

''He did a great job,'' Toronto manager Cito Gaston (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40882/index.html) said. ''It was just what we needed. He pitched a great game.''

Richmond (5-3) allowed five hits and retired his last 13 batters. The 29-year-old rookie was 0-3 with a 5.81 ERA in his previous five starts.
''I was anxious to get out there,'' Richmond said. ''I was working on a few things. I mentally prepared myself and it worked nicely.''

Jayson Werth (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6423/index.html) homered for the NL East-leading Phillies, who fell to 13-18 at home. The defending World Series champions are a major league-best 23-9 on the road.

''Over 162 games, there are some when you don't have much life,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40774/index.html) said. ''We just couldn't get going tonight.''

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:30 AM

BALTIMORE(AP) Following his long-awaited arrival in the big leagues, Matt Wieters (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8395/index.html) went 13 games without a home run or an RBI.
One swing changed everything.

Wieters hit his first home run, Aubrey Huff (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6545/index.html) had a tiebreaking shot in the seventh inning and the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles/index.html) withstood Gary Sheffield (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4268/index.html) 's 507th career homer in a 6-4 victory over the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) on Wednesday night.

Wieters, the fifth overall pick in the 2007 amateur draft, entered the game batting .234 with three extra-base hits since making his debut with Baltimore on May 29. The drought ended in the second inning, when the rookie catcher hit an opposite-field, two-run drive to left off Tim Redding (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6754/index.html) .

''It's a good feeling - a good feeling first to get that zero out of the RBI column,'' Wieters said.

Even if the ball barely made it into the seats.

''It's tough to give up someone's first big league home run by six inches, especially on a ball right over the wall,'' Redding said. ''But a home run is a home run. Two runs are two runs, We lost by two runs.''

Wieters received a standing ovation from many in the crowd of 31,906. The fans kept cheering until Wieters finally acknowledged the reception with a brief curtain call.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:31 AM

CLEVELAND(AP) Trevor Hoffman (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4975/index.html) hasn't blown many four-run leads, especially in games his team wins.

Slumping J.J. Hardy homered early and drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the 11th inning as the Milwaukee Brewers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/brewers/index.html) completed a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/indians/index.html) with a 9-8 victory Wednesday night.

Hoffman, baseball's career saves leader with 570, squandered an 8-4 lead in the ninth, but the NL Central leaders earned their eighth straight interleague win over Cleveland. Milwaukee also swept three in 2006 and won the final two of a three-game set in 2001.

''Not very efficient on my part,'' said Hoffman, who blew his first save in 17 chances since signing with Milwaukee as a free agent. ''They have aggressive hitters and I left a lot of balls up in the zone. They did what they're supposed to do.''

Prince Fielder (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7290/index.html) singled with one out in the 11th off Greg Aquino (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7361/index.html) (1-2), who then walked Corey Hart (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7336/index.html) . The runners advanced on a wild pitch that made the count 1-1 on Mike Cameron (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5492/index.html) . The Indians intentionally walked Cameron to load the bases before Hardy lifted a fly to center, scoring Fielder.

Mark DiFelice (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8247/index.html) (4-0) worked 1 1-3 innings for the win. Mitch Stetter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8114/index.html) struck out two with two runners on to earn his first career save. The last 11 outs recorded by the left-hander have been strikeouts.

''When they come back and tie it with four runs in that inning, you need to go out there and shut them down,'' Milwaukee manager Ken Macha (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/737/index.html) said. ''DiFelice pitched terrific in the 10th. All the players should be feeling pretty good.''

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:32 AM

NEW YORK(AP) A flood of memories washed over John Lannan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8074/index.html) as he stood on the mound at Yankee Stadium and listened to the crowd cheer for his favorite team growing up.

This was one unforgettable night for the Long Island left-hander.
Lannan pitched into the ninth inning in his first career start against the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) , leading the Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) to a much-needed 3-2 victory Wednesday.

''The night belonged to him,'' Nationals manager Manny Acta said.
Lannan (4-5) allowed two runs and four hits in 8 1-3 innings, hurting one of his hometown teams for the second time in two weeks. He beat the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) 7-1 on June 6, tossing a four-hitter for his first career complete game.

''He threw the ball in and out, mixed his pitches up, threw strikes,'' Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5275/index.html) said.

Johnny Damon (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5484/index.html) hit a leadoff homer in the ninth and Mark Teixeira (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6788/index.html) singled with one out, sending Lannan to the dugout and the Yankee Stadium crowd into a frenzy. Mike MacDougal (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6666/index.html) replaced Lannan, who was born in Long Beach and wouldn't even hazard a guess when asked how many games he went to at the old stadium.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:33 AM

BOSTON(AP) Brad Penny (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6276/index.html) took a line drive off his chest, and the Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) nearly had the solution to the logjam in their pitching rotation.

Penny wasn't going away quite so easy, though.

The Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) right-hander remained in the game and lasted long enough to pick up his 100th career win, beating the Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) 6-1 on Wednesday night in front of the 500th straight sellout at Fenway Park.

''I don't know how he stayed in that game and pitched. I just told him, 'If you collapse, we'll get (Justin) Masterson in the game,''' Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) manager Terry Francona (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2089/index.html) said. ''You can't hurt him. He's a strong kid and he likes to pitch. But when the game was over I came in to pat him on the chest and I thought he had a pacemaker. He's got a pretty good welt.''

Penny (6-2) allowed one unearned run on three hits and four walks, striking out three. He has not allowed an earned run in 11 innings over his last two starts, a good streak to be working on as John Smoltz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4232/index.html) finishes his minor-league rehab stint and prepares to head back to the majors.

Smoltz, a former NL Cy Young (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/49534/index.html) winner, allowed one run in four innings in Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday night. The Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) have said they will go to a six-man rotation for the short-term, though it is also possible they will trade Penny or prospect Clay Buchholz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8090/index.html) or move Daisuke Matsuzaka (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7906/index.html) - so far the least effective of their starters - to the bullpen.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:34 AM

CINCINNATI(AP) All Micah Owings (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7936/index.html) needed to get on track, apparently, was to face the Atlanta Braves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/braves/index.html) .

The Cincinnati right-hander hit a three-run homer and pitched six effective innings to overcome Javier Vazquez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5947/index.html) 's complete game and lead the Reds to a 4-3 win over Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Owings (4-7) improved to 4-0 with a 2.77 ERA in four career starts against the Braves while hitting his third career homer - out of a total of seven - against them.

''Sometimes, you can't explain how things work,'' said Owings, who was 0-4 in six starts since a 3-1 win at Arizona on May 12. ''I'm just going to keep working on getting better.''

Jay Bruce (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8171/index.html) also homered and Ryan Hanigan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8127/index.html) had two hits to help the Reds squeeze out the win despite no production from the first five batters in the lineup, who went a combined 0 for-17. The only baserunner among the top five batters was Brandon Phillips (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6857/index.html) , who walked in the fourth inning, but manager Dusty Baker (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41/index.html) didn't mind.
''I wasn't counting,'' he said. ''I was just trying to get to the finish line with the lead. We needed to get Micah a win. That was a huge performance by him - offensively and pitching-wise

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:35 AM

ARLINGTON, Texas(AP) Ivan Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4680/index.html) was praised by fans and teammates Wednesday night for becoming the all-time leader in games caught.

However, a lackluster defense left the Houston Astros (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/astros/index.html) in no mood to celebrate.

David Murphy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7862/index.html) hit the game-winning RBI single with one out in the 10th inning and the Texas Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rangers/index.html) took advantage of three Houston errors in a 5-4 victory over the Astros.

''We kicked the ball around. We threw it around. That's unacceptable,'' Astros manager Cecil Cooper (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/241/index.html) said. ''I don't care how long you've been playing. We shouldn't be playing like that. We're a much better team.

Rodriguez, who began his career at age 19 in 1991 and played 12 seasons in Texas, caught his 2,227th game to break Carlton Fisk (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/337/index.html) 's record.

''I'm tickled for Pudge,'' Cooper said. ''It's great he was able to break the record. But it's unfortunate that it didn't happen on a good night for us.''

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:41 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) Mark Reynolds (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8030/index.html) finally got to Zack Greinke (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7257/index.html) .
After striking out his first three times up, Reynolds homered off the Kansas City ace to get him out of the game and the Diamondbacks put up six more runs against the bullpen to beat the Royals 12-5 Wednesday night.

Reynolds brought his NL-leading strikeout total to 93 before taking Greinke deep to left with two out in the seventh for a 6-2 lead.

''He pitched me tough all night,'' Reynolds said. ''I couldn't really get anything going with him in my first three ABs. You're battling your tail off to try to do something positive and he gets the best of you. It's really, really frustrating. He hung a slider and I was able to get good wood on it and hit it out.

''It seems like elite pitchers like that I'll punch out a couple of times and then somehow find the barrel. Those were big runs for our team and kind of opened the floodgates.''

The Diamondbacks scored eight runs in the final three innings.

''The finishing blow was Reynolds' home run,'' Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. ''He's one swing away from having a great night every time.''

Max Scherzer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8193/index.html) (4-4) held the Royals to two runs on nine hits and three walks, winning for the fourth time in five decisions.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:42 AM

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) The latest sign of Francisco Liriano (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7504/index.html) 's season-long struggle was this: An otherwise well-pitched game was ruined by a pair of mistakes the light-hitting Pittsburgh Pirates (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/pirates/index.html) sent sailing into the seats.

Ian Snell (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7411/index.html) won for the first time in two months and Andrew McCutchen (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7977/index.html) hit his first major league home run Wednesday night, leading the Pirates past Liriano and the Minnesota Twins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/twins/index.html) 8-2.
''It's really frustrating, because every time I miss one pitch it just changes the whole game,'' Liriano said. ''I don't know what to do anymore.''

McCutchen and Andy LaRoche (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7928/index.html) each hit two-run shots against Liriano (2-8), who lasted seven innings but hurt himself again with a couple of costly lapses in pitch location. Adam LaRoche (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7253/index.html) also homered for Pittsburgh, in a three-run eighth against reliever Sean Henn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7535/index.html) , to match his little brother. The last time siblings homered in the same game for the Pirates was 1938: Lloyd and Paul Waner (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/45440/index.html) .
Pittsburgh has only 40 home runs in 65 games, though seven in the last six.

''Full moon, I guess,'' manager John Russell (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/46451/index.html) said.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:43 AM

. LOUIS(AP) Edwin Jackson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7241/index.html) knows all about Colby Rasmus (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8190/index.html) , given both players live in Columbus, Ga. The Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers/index.html) ' pitcher was not surprised by the rookie's big day against him.

''We're pretty much neighbors,'' Jackson said after giving up a pair of go-ahead hits to Rasmus in the St. Louis Cardinals' 4-3 victory Wednesday night. ''He's a good hitter and he's always been a good hitter from when I watched him when he was younger.''

Yadier Molina (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7345/index.html) matched Rasmus' three-hit day, adding a home run, and Todd Wellemeyer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7136/index.html) (6-6) won for the third time in eight decisions at home. St. Louis relievers allowed a run and three hits in 3 2-3 innings, with Ryan Franklin (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6225/index.html) working the ninth for his 16th save in 17 chances.

Curtis Granderson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7455/index.html) homered twice for the Tigers, who have lost four in a row. They've scored four runs on solo homers during the first two games of the series.

''Those guys have been pitching us really well,'' Granderson said. ''Molina and their pitching staff is doing a great job of keeping us off balance.''

Wellemeyer prevailed despite allowing a two-homer game for the third straight start. He also yielded a pair to the Marlins' Ross Gload (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6560/index.html) and the Rockies' Ian Stewart (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7993/index.html) .

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:44 AM

DENVER(AP) A day after the Tampa Bay Rays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rays/index.html) ended the longest winning streak in the majors, the Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) returned the favor.

Troy Tulowitzki (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7850/index.html) hit a three-run homer and Aaron Cook (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6981/index.html) survived a shaky fifth inning that included homers by Evan Longoria (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7914/index.html) and Carl Crawford (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6870/index.html) as the Rockies snapped the Rays' six-game winning streak with a 5-3 win Wednesday night.

''This was a big game for us,'' Tulowitzki said. ''To win 11 and then to lose how we did yesterday, it was kind of a statement game to come back and say, 'Hey, we're still a good team. It wasn't a fluke that we won 11 games in a row.'''

The Rockies, who saw their long winning streak come to a halt Tuesday with a 12-4 loss to the Rays, have won 14 of 19 since Jim Tracy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1996/index.html) took over as manager last month.

Cook (6-3) tied Colorado's franchise record with his 58th career win, a mark set by Jason Jennings (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6785/index.html) .

''It's pretty special, but I don't want it to end there,'' said Cook, who allowed three runs on eight hits in seven innings and induced 11 groundball outs.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:45 AM

SAN DIEGO(AP) Garrett Olson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7940/index.html) gave up two home runs and never was in any real danger of losing.

That's because his Seattle Mariners (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mariners/index.html) were playing the struggling San Diego Padres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/padres/index.html) , who are having trouble simply scraping together hits, let alone winning interleague games.

Olson and three relievers held San Diego to four hits in a 4-3 win on Wednesday night, extending the Padres' major league-record interleague losing streak to 13. The Padres have lost 10 straight games to the Mariners in San Diego, and 16 of 20 overall against Seattle.

Jose Lopez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7392/index.html) hit a two-run homer and the decisive run scored on an error.

The Padres' four hits were double what they had on Tuesday night, when they were two-hit by Felix Hernandez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7487/index.html) in a 5-0 Mariners win.
Still, Olson's two mistakes didn't hurt him.

''I just feel each time I go out there like I can just challenge guys,'' Olson said. ''I felt really good coming out of the bullpen. I primarily just went after them with fastballs, just challenging them and trying to use this ballpark to my advantage.''

Olson allowed a leadoff homer by Kevin Kouzmanoff (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7864/index.html) in the second and a two-run shot by Chase Headley (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8057/index.html) that tied the game at 3 in the fourth. Both came on 0-2 counts.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:47 AM

LOS ANGELES(AP) The Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics/index.html) played one of their worst defensive games of the season, and their starter came within one pitch of walking four straight batters in the first inning.

Somehow, everything turned out all right.

Rajai Davis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7835/index.html) and Jack Cust (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6626/index.html) homered in the third, rookie Trevor Cahill (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8410/index.html) overcame his early bout of wildness and Oakland snapped a four-game skid with a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/dodgers/index.html) on Wednesday night despite giving up three unearned runs.

''We were very fortunate to win the game,'' manager Bob Geren (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4200/index.html) said. ''Almost all of their runs came from errors. There's been so many times this year when I've said we played good enough to win and fell short. Tonight, we really didn't play that well and won. Our defense let us down, but we'll take it.''

Cahill (4-5) held the team with baseball's best record to two unearned runs and four hits in 5 1-3 innings. The 21-year-old righty retired his first two batters, then walked the next three while throwing 12 straight pitches out of the strike zone - including the first three to Andre Ethier (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7710/index.html) , who popped out on a 3-1 delivery.

''It was something I battled the whole game,'' Cahill said. ''I just couldn't get in a groove and couldn't get locked in. Mostly, I was trying to concentrate on what I was doing wrong and trying to make whatever adjustment I needed to.''

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:49 AM

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Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:50 AM

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Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:52 AM

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Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 07:53 AM

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Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 03:47 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/5665) has gone on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin.

John Mayberry Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday to take Ibanez's roster spot. Ibanez is batting .312 with 22 homers and 59 RBIs, ranking second in the NL in homers and RBIs.
Mayberry was 2 for 9 with a double, homer and three RBIs in his first stint with the Phillies last month. He was hitting .257 with eight homers and 31 RBIs for the IronPigs.

cook

06-18-2009, 04:05 PM

Hey . how about them first place Texas Rangers? It`s been a while since I`ve been able to say that.

Goodfellas

06-18-2009, 04:48 PM

Without Josh Hamilton too!!

cook

06-18-2009, 05:13 PM

It was good to see Pudge get his record back at Texas. He`s moved around a bit the last few years but he`s a home grown Ranger.

Sandpig

06-18-2009, 09:34 PM

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 06:08 AM

If that was a Yankee pitcher, he would've................;)

Wang would be on the show House

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:18 AM

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Right-hander Chris Young (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7738) is heading to the 15-day disabled list, meaning the struggling Padres' top two pitchers will be out of action.

Young has been bothered by inflammation in his pitching shoulder for his last four starts. He'll go on the DL on Friday. He had a second cortisone shot on Wednesday night.

Ace Jake Peavy (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/6872) was placed on the DL on Saturday, a day after learning he would be sidelined at least a month because of a strained tendon behind his right ankle.

The Padres have lost five straight and 13 of 17, as well as a major league-record 13 straight interleague games.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:27 AM

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers) altered their rotation and the middle of their lineup Thursday, placing left-hander Dontrelle Willis (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7133) on the 15-day disabled list with an anxiety disorder and benching slumping slugger Magglio Ordonez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/5889) indefinitely.

Willis was the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year and a 22-game winner in '05, but is 1-4 with a 7.49 ERA this season while struggling with control problems that have intensified in recent starts. He walked eight in 3 2-3 innings in a loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday and has walked 18 in 11 innings over his last three starts.

Willis believes the problems are mechanical, not mental.

"I've talked to everybody and I don't feel like I have any nervousness out there," Willis said. "I've got so many moving parts that if one's out of whack from time to time it happens.

"This is not the first time I've had control problems, but I've been able to overcome it, so I'm not worried about it."

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:28 AM

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals have activated infielder Khalil Greene (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7233) from a stint on the 15-day disabled list for social anxiety disorder, although he was not in Thursday's lineup for a game against the Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers).

Greene had been on the DL since May 29 and missed 19 games. He played in four games at Memphis during his rehab and was 6-for-15 with two doubles, while playing two games at third base.

Manager Tony La Russa has said Greene may be used at third, a position he's never played in the majors. Greene was batting .200 with two homers and a team-high seven errors at shortstop.

Also on Thursday, the Cardinals recalled right-hander Josh Kinney from Triple-A Memphis and optioned outfielder Nick Stavinoha (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/8279) and right-hander P.J. Walters to Memphis.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:30 AM

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Dusty Rhodes, who helped the Giants win their last World Series title in 1954, has died. He was 82.

Rhodes died Wednesday of cardiopulmonary arrest at Valley Hospital Medical Center in Las Vegas, the Clark County coroner's office said Thursday. He lived in Henderson.

Rhodes had heart trouble and was on the way to his doctor for a checkup, according to Frank Turco, a cousin of Rhodes' wife, Gloria.
Born James Lamar Rhodes in Mathews, Ala., Rhodes played with the New York Giants from 1952-57, then appeared in 54 games for the San Francisco Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/giants) in 1959. He had a .253 career average, 54 homers and 207 RBIs.

"He didn't miss a beat in life. He had good times. He liked to live," Turco said. "And the results of those things take a toll on you. But he was a happy guy until the day he died."

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:46 AM

CINCINNATI(AP) For the third time in their three-games series, Atlanta outhit the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) . This time, Tommy Hanson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8397/index.html) and Nate McLouth (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7513/index.html) made it pay off with a win.

Hanson allowed three hits over six impressive innings and McLouth homered and drove in four runs, sending the Braves to a 7-0 victory over the punchless Reds on Thursday.

One of baseball's top pitching prospects, Hanson got his first major league hit and RBI. Matt Diaz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7184/index.html) also homered for the Braves, who snapped a four-game skid and avoided a sweep in Cincinnati.

''Hopefully, I can keep building on this,'' Hanson said. ''I told myself to slow down after the second inning. (Pitching coach) Roger (McDowell) came out and told me the same thing. I cleared my mind and was able to control my fastball better.''

Hanson (2-0), who made his big league debut with a no-decision against Milwaukee on June 7, walked four and hit a batter with a pitch. But he escaped two jams in his third career start.

''That was the best start Hanson had,'' Atlanta manager Bobby Cox (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40850/index.html) said. ''He got himself in trouble, but he pitched out of it. He threw a lot of pitches early. I didn't think he was going to make it to the fifth inning, but he settled down and got a lot of first-pitch outs.''

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:47 AM

PHILADELPHIA(AP) Rod Barajas (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6368/index.html) turned the boos directed toward him into jeers for the slumping World Series champions.

Barajas led off the ninth inning with a pinch-hit, tiebreaking homer and the Toronto Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) beat the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies/index.html) 8-7 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

''You try to give your best effort every time,'' said Barajas, an unpopular player in Philadelphia since playing here in 2007. ''I have a job to do. If it's against the Phillies or the Royals, you have to produce.''

Raul Chavez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5697/index.html) and Adam Lind (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7859/index.html) also homered for the injury-riddled Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) , who were 0-6 in interleague play when they arrived in Philadelphia.

Jayson Werth (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6423/index.html) , Jimmy Rollins (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6419/index.html) , John Mayberry Jr. and pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7439/index.html) went deep for the Phillies, who dropped to 13-19 at home hours after putting slugger Raul Ibanez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5665/index.html) on the disabled list.
The NL East leaders are a major league-best 23-9 on the road, but have struggled all year at a usually sold-out Citizens Bank Park.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:48 AM

NEW YORK(AP) Craig Stammen (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8480/index.html) and the Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) really dampened the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) ' day.

After waiting out a 5 1/2-hour rain delay at the beginning, Stammen earned his first major league victory, Julian Tavarez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5103/index.html) provided key relief and the last-place Nationals beat New York 3-0 Thursday night in the first game without a homer at the new Yankee Stadium.

''When you have three meals at the ballpark before you start the game, it's been a long day,'' Nationals manager Manny Acta said. ''It was worthwhile.''

Boosted by Ryan Zimmerman (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7627/index.html) 's three hits and a bunch of nifty plays, Washington posted its first two-game winning streak since taking three straight May 7-9. Behind Stammen (1-2), the Nationals became the last team in the majors to pitch a shutout this season.

Unsure whether there would be a game, Stammen bided his time by reading a book, watching games on TV and eating lunch. Hours later, he learned he would be pitching.

''I guess it started right on time for me,'' he said.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:49 AM

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) Coming out of spring training, Nick Blackburn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8120/index.html) was fourth in the Minnesota Twins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/twins/index.html) ' rotation.

Not anymore.

While other Twins starters have struggled with injuries and inconsistency over the first 2 1/2 months of the season, the 27-year-old right-hander has calmly and quietly asserted himself as the team's best pitcher.

Blackburn tossed a six-hitter for his first career complete game Thursday, leading Minnesota to a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/pirates/index.html) .

''He's basically been the stabilizer,'' pitching coach Rick Anderson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40065/index.html) said.

Blackburn (6-2) struck out two and walked one to become the first Minnesota starter to go the distance since Kevin Slowey (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7968/index.html) on July 28, 2008. Michael Cuddyer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6637/index.html) and Brian Buscher (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8077/index.html) homered for the Twins, who took two of three from the Pirates.

Zach Duke (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7512/index.html) (7-5) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings for the Pirates, who lost their 13th straight road series to an AL opponent. The last time Pittsburgh won on the road in interleague play was at Tampa Bay in 2003.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:50 AM

CHICAGO(AP) The Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) ' offense had all but vanished, their fans were growing restless and their veteran manager remained perplexed by this collective hitting slump.

And then in two innings Thursday, the Cubs put together a rally against their crosstown rivals and emerged with a 6-5 victory over the White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) that was one of their most dramatic wins of the season.

''Sometimes when you are struggling, nothing works. I've been struggling for a couple of weeks,'' said Alfonso Soriano (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6154/index.html) , who singled home the winning run in the ninth after Derrek Lee (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5775/index.html) and Geovany Soto (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7662/index.html) hit back-to-back homers in a four-run eighth to tie the game.

''I needed a game like this today and the team needed a game like this today,'' Soriano said. ''Everybody can relax and come back tomorrow with new energy.''

The late comeback gave the Cubs a two-game split of this rain-shortened set at Wrigley Field. They are 34-34 against the White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) in interleague play.

Pinch-hitter Reed Johnson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7118/index.html) started the ninth with a single, moved up on a sacrifice and scored on Soriano's two-out single to right-center off Matt Thornton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7212/index.html) (4-2). Soriano was 14 for 102 and 0 for 15 before singling in his final two at-bats.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:51 AM

DENVER(AP) Rockies manager Jim Tracy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1996/index.html) put Ubaldo Jimenez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7900/index.html) in some impressive company before his outing against Tampa Bay.
Then, Jimenez went out and showed why.

''I see a lot of Pedro Martinez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4875/index.html) in him. The looseness in his arm and the way his arm works reminds me an awful lot of a young Pedro Martinez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4875/index.html) ,'' Tracy said. ''And I watched a lot of that sitting next to Felipe Alou (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41905/index.html) while I was in Montreal.''

Jimenez won his third straight start and Clint Barmes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7231/index.html) hit a two-run homer in Colorado's 4-3 victory over the Rays on Thursday.

''Ubaldo is a guy who is beginning to find his niche,'' Tracy said. ''I still believe there's still another step on the ladder that he aspires to take and that is to become a bona fide ace-stopper type starting pitcher in the Rockies rotation.''

Todd Helton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5870/index.html) and Carlos Gonzalez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7934/index.html) added solo homers for the surging Rockies, who have won 13 of 14. They took the final two in this three-game series after Tampa Bay snapped their 11-game winning streak Tuesday.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:53 AM

BALTIMORE(AP) The Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles/index.html) were 0-34 when trailing after eight innings, and they were down a run in the ninth when New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) closer Francisco Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7029/index.html) entered the game.

K-Rod's 0.56 ERA was exquisite enough, but the right-hander also had 16 saves in 17 chances - the exception coming by virtue of a dropped popup against the hated Yankees.

Twenty pitches later, the Orioles celebrated perhaps their most uplifting performance of the season.

Aubrey Huff (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6545/index.html) drove in the winning run with a ninth-inning single, capping a two-run rally that carried Baltimore to a 5-4 victory Thursday night.

Asked if this was the most satisfying win of the season, Adam Jones (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7812/index.html) said, ''Yeah, this is. It's off arguably the best closer in all of baseball. To get a win like that ...''

Rodriguez, who last yielded an earned run on April 27, made no excuses after allowing five of the six batters he faced to reach base.
''It was awful. I didn't get the job done,'' he said. ''I'm a human being. Unfortunately, days like this are going to happen. It happened to me and I've just got to move on.''

Matt Wieters (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8395/index.html) led off the ninth with a double and Nolan Reimold (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8191/index.html) walked. Brian Roberts (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6741/index.html) laid down a bunt, and the throw to third by catcher Omir Santos (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8374/index.html) was too late to nail pinch-runner Felix Pie (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7704/index.html) .

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:54 AM

BOSTON(AP) Ricky Nolasco (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7720/index.html) held the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) to one hit in the first five innings Thursday night, and the Boston weather took care of the rest.

Dan Uggla (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7692/index.html) and Ronny Paulino (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7089/index.html) homered for Florida, and Nolasco gave up Kevin Youkilis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7049/index.html) ' shot before the Marlins earned a 2-1 victory over Boston when the game was called early in the sixth because of rain.
''He would have had a chance to go real deep in the ballgame, the way he was pitching,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ''I would rather he keep going. I thought he had some pretty good stuff.''

The only other Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) batter to reach base was David Ortiz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5909/index.html) , who hit a high popup in the fifth that third baseman Emilio Bonifacio (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8112/index.html) dropped for an error when he collided with Uggla behind second base. But Nolasco (3-6) got Mike Lowell (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6133/index.html) on a line drive to left and Jacoby Ellsbury (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7912/index.html) on a fielder's choice before Jason Varitek (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5921/index.html) struck out to end the inning.

Jon Lester (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7790/index.html) (5-6) gave up Jorge Cantu (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7380/index.html) 's single to lead off the sixth and had a 2-2 count on Uggla when the umpires signaled for the tarp at 8:59 p.m. The game was officially called after a delay of 2 hours, 26 minutes.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:55 AM

ARLINGTON, Texas(AP) Hunter Pence (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7963/index.html) remembers when Rangers Ballpark was being built and watching games there as a kid.
Now the Arlington native has the memory of a hitting a tiebreaking homer there against the Texas Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rangers/index.html) .

Pence hit the first pitch of the eighth inning over the center-field wall and the Houston Astros (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/astros/index.html) beat the AL West-leading Rangers 5-3 on Thursday night to avoid a season sweep.

''Every time I play here, it's a little special because I have the memories of coming here as a boy,'' Pence said. ''It's something special every time you play on this field for me.''
Especially winning the game

''I'm very excited for Hunter,'' manager Cecil Cooper (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/241/index.html) said. ''He got the big one for us. I'm sure he was a little down after the at-bat before. It was good to see him step up and do that.''

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:56 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/diamondbacks/index.html) don't need any more bad injury news.

With staff ace Brandon Webb (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7121/index.html) returning Thursday to Phoenix to have his sore shoulder examined again, Chris Young (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7738/index.html) pulled up lame with a sore groin on an eighth-inning triple, his career high fourth hit, in the Diamondbacks' 12-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/royals/index.html) .

''We'll know more tomorrow,'' Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. ''Immediately when it grabbed on his groin he pulled up, which is the right thing to do. His strength was good. His flexibility was good, so hopefully we avoided something (major) and it's just a little scare.''

Young, who raised his average from .189 to .204, had a triple and two doubles before hurting his groin.

Gerardo Parra (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8473/index.html) homered, tripled and drove in three runs and Justin Upton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8080/index.html) contributed three hits, including two doubles, as the Diamondbacks collected a 16 hits, one shy of their season high. Eric Byrnes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6558/index.html) also homered. Every Diamondbacks starter except Mark Reynolds (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8030/index.html) had at least one hit.

That was more than enough for Dan Haren (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7172/index.html) , who earned his sixth victory in decisions.

''I don't think he was at his best, but he's pretty good when he's not at his best,'' Hinch said.

Haren (6-4), who has lost only once in his past 11 starts, limited the Royals to two runs on seven hits, while striking out six and walking none in seven innings. Haren's 2.23 ERA ranks second in the National League.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:57 AM

ST. LOUIS(AP) Rookie Rick Porcello (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8419/index.html) beat the heat and the St. Louis Cardinals, whose starter had to be carried off the field.

Porcello won for the seventh time in nine starts while pitching in 90-degree heat and the Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers/index.html) shook off an offensive drought with a four-run first inning in a 6-3 victory on Thursday that avoided a three-game sweep.'

''It was a real good win for us because we were probably ripe for the sweep, to be honest,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ''A long, grueling trip. It would have been easy to say 'Let's go home, it's been a long trip.'''

Placido Polanco (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6049/index.html) and Marcus Thames (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6943/index.html) homered in the eighth for the Tigers, who had scored three or fewer runs in their previous seven games. Detroit ended a four-game losing streak and won for the first time in six games at 4-year-old Busch Stadium counting three losses to end the 2006 World Series.

''It was huge,'' said Gerald Laird (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7129/index.html) , who had an RBI double in the first. ''We've been struggling with the bats for a while now and to come out and get a couple of hits was a good sign.''

Porcello (8-4) allowed three runs in 5 2-3 innings. He worked out of trouble in the first, second and fifth, stranding two runners in each inning and is 7-1 with a 2.64 ERA in his last nine starts.

''I thought I threw the ball OK,'' Porcello said. ''I left a couple of fastballs up but the changeup was really good and bailed me out of a couple of situations where I thought it could have been a lot worse.''

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 07:58 AM

LOS ANGELES(AP) Joe Torre (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41654/index.html) got an opportunity to match wits with Sparky Anderson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41839/index.html) during his first two seasons as a big league manager in the late 1970s with the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) , losing 14 of 20 games to the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) .

In time, Torre got better at the job - and now he has more victories than the Hall of Famer. Torre earned his 2,195th regular-season win Thursday night, taking over sole possession of fifth on the career list with the Dodgers' 3-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics/index.html) .

''If you told me a dozen years ago that I'd be in this rarefied air, I'd tell you you're full of baloney - because I certainly started way under .500 when I took over the Yankees in 1996,'' Torre said. ''But I have to thank George Steinbrenner for putting me in a position to do this. I've admired what Sparky did for all those years, and I'm proud to be in that company.''

Orlando Hudson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6875/index.html) homered, pinch-hitter Mark Loretta (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5504/index.html) drove in the go-ahead run and Randy Wolf (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6248/index.html) pitched six solid innings to help the Dodgers take the rubber game of the interleague series and improve to a major league-best 44-23.

bringingthehuge

06-19-2009, 12:00 PM

Go Sox !!!!

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 12:48 PM

Go Sox !!!!

I agree. Go White Sox :D

bringingthehuge

06-19-2009, 12:53 PM

I agree. Go White Sox :D
Wrong Sox. The only color for me is red

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 01:01 PM

Wrong Sox. The only color for me is red

I know...

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 01:01 PM

Come to daddy." Well, maybe not. Pedro Martinez, who once famously called the Yankees his "daddy" after a tough loss to them, will throw for Yankee scouts in the Dominican Republic today. But the Yanks aren't really interesting in signing him, according to someone familiar with the team's thinking. The Yankees - along with the Rays, Angels and Cubs - will watch Martinez work out, the person said, but it's believed the Yanks are only doing it as a courtesy to Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, who also represents stars such as Mariano Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero.

New York Daily New (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_yankees_pedro.html)

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 01:02 PM

Tom Glavine informed Buck Lanford of Fox 5 Atlanta on Thursday he won't pitch in 2009. Via text message, Glavine wrote: "I'm not going to pitch or do anything in baseball until at least next year." Glavine stopped short, according to Fox 5, of announcing his retirement, saying he plans to be "a full-time dad." It was, you'll recall, only two weeks ago that Glavine ripped the Braves for releasing him and said he believed, contrary to Frank Wren's bleak evaluation, he could still pitch in the major leagues. But if Glavine has resigned himself to not pitching this year after spending the winter and spring rehabbing from shoulder and elbow surgery, it would seem there were no opportunities. At least none to his liking, anyway.
Atlanta Journal Constitution (http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/06/18/bradleys-buzz-glavine-tells-waga-he-wont-pitch-in-2009/)

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 01:02 PM

Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb was dealt another setback Thursday when he felt discomfort in his right shoulder during a throwing session, causing the Diamondbacks to cancel the bullpen session that had been scheduled for Friday in Seattle. Webb left the team and returned to Phoenix, where he will be re-evaluated, according to manager A.J. Hinch. The setback casts doubt on whether he will pitch again this season.
Arizona Republic (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/2009/06/18/20090618spt-dbnotes.html)

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 01:03 PM

Ex-Twin LaTroy Hawkins' bullpen performance against the Twins this weekend at the Dome for Houston could be an audition for his return to the Twins, who the past couple of weeks have quietly expressed interest.
St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12625483)

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 05:46 PM

DETROIT (AP) -- Jim Leyland will be sticking in the Detroit dugout for awhile.

The Tigers gave their manager a two-year contract extension Friday through the 2011 season. Financial terms were not announced.

"It's extremely well deserved," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. He said he looks forward to Leyland leading Detroit "for years to come."

The 64-year-old Leyland is in his fourth season with the Tigers, and this was the last year on his deal. Detroit is leading the AL Central.
"I'm thrilled they want me to continue," he said. "I was thrilled they asked me to come here in the first place."

The Tigers went a disappointing 74-88 last year, and Leyland wasn't offered an extension after the season.

On Friday, Leyland was stretched on a couch that folds out into a bed in his office at Comerica Park, smoking a cigarette and having a cup of coffee, when he got the good news.

"I was totally shocked," he said.

Goodfellas

06-19-2009, 06:03 PM

vCvjUlz5TeQ

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:03 AM

CHICAGO(AP) Sure looked like Kerry Wood (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5982/index.html) would get the day off in his return to Wrigley Field. His new team, the Cleveland Indians (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/indians/index.html) , was up on his old one by seven runs.

But for the second straight day the Cubs put together a four-run rally in the eighth inning that cut the lead to one.

Suddenly, Wood was in the game, back on the mound, pitching against the Cubs. He wound up getting an ovation - then blowing the save.

Friend and former teammate Derrek Lee (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5775/index.html) hit a game-tying homer in the ninth off him before Ryan Theriot (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7670/index.html) 's 10th-inning bad-hop single sent Chicago to a dramatic 8-7 victory.

''It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, as far as adrenaline and being able to control that,'' said Wood, who spent a decade with the Cubs and saved 34 games for them a year ago before signing with the Indians as a free agent.

What he couldn't control was the hot bat of Lee, whose ninth inning homer was his second of the game and third in two games.

''I felt like he probably had an idea I was going to try and come in. I think he knew what I was trying to do,'' Wood said after his third blown save in 11 chances.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:04 AM

PHILADELPHIA(AP) After two bad starts and a rough first inning, Rich Hill (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7578/index.html) settled in nicely and even chipped in with his bat.

Hill pitched into the seventh inning and singled in the go-ahead run, leading the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles/index.html) to a 7-2 victory over the slumping Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies/index.html) on Friday night.

''He pitched well,'' Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. ''The most important thing was he got guys out after they scored.''

The defending World Series champions have lost four straight and fell to 13-20 at home. But the Phillies lead the NL East because they're a major league-best 23-9 on the road.

Manager Charlie Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40774/index.html) seems like he's running out of patience with his struggling team, especially the hitters.

''The first rule of thumb is get a good ball to hit,'' he said. ''When it's a 2-0 or 3-1 count, sometimes when I look at our hitters, it looks like they're in the hole. We can coach you and tell you things to do, but you're the ones hitting. You have to execute.''

Hill (3-1) allowed two runs, five hits and walked four in 6 2-3 innings. The lefty baffled a potent lineup with an array of offspeed pitches mixed in with some fastballs.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:36 AM

DETROIT(AP) Marcus Thames (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6943/index.html) was worth the wait. So were both replays.

He hit a pair of two-run homers and the Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers/index.html) rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/brewers/index.html) 10-4 Friday night in a rain-shortened game that ended with one out in the bottom of the seventh.

The game was also halted by rain for 2 hours, 3 minutes in the fourth after Detroit took the lead, and featured two replay reversals. One gave the Tigers a homer, the other took it away and made it a double - but the Tigers got run in anyway.

''It was a wild game, but a good win,'' said Tigers pitcher Zach Miner (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7783/index.html) , who won in relief.

Miguel Cabrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7163/index.html) and Curtis Granderson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7455/index.html) also homered for the Tigers. Prince Fielder (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7290/index.html) hit a three-run homer for Milwaukee.

''It was an interesting ... an interesting night,'' said Brewers' manager Ken Macha (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/737/index.html) .

Miner (4-1) pitched 2 1-3 scoreless innings in relief of Armando Galarraga (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8140/index.html) , who gave up four runs, three earned, on eight hits in four innings.

Braden Looper (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5966/index.html) (5-4) allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3 2-3 innings.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:49 AM

WASHINGTON(AP) Adam Dunn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6763/index.html) swung twice, missing a pair of fastballs from Jason Frasor (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7310/index.html) . With his third try, Dunn connected, erasing a season's worth of extra-inning futility for the Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) .

Dunn hit an 0-2 fastball for a bases-loaded single in the 11th inning to give Washington a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) on Friday night.

''I was trying to get something I could hit in the air. The first two pitches, (Frasor) just kind of blew by me and I don't really have a two-strike swing,'' Dunn said. ''But I told myself (to use) a more level swing and I just tried to put the ball in play.''

With one out in the 11th, Cristian Guzman (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6186/index.html) knocked off the glove of Frasor (5-1) with a line-drive infield single, then Nick Johnson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6401/index.html) and Ryan Zimmerman (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7627/index.html) walked before Dunn lined the winning single down the right-field line off an 0-2 fastball.

''You never want to be the guy to blow it, but at some point somebody is, whether it's their bullpen or our bullpen and tonight it was me. ... I made some terrible pitches. Just noncompetitive, not even close,'' Frasor said.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:50 AM

NEW YORK(AP) Fernando Nieve (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7714/index.html) has been quite a find for the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) so far.

Nieve turned in another impressive start and Brian Schneider (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6480/index.html) hit a three-run homer, leading New York to a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rays/index.html) on Friday night.

Filling in for injured John Maine (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7386/index.html) , Nieve has yielded three runs in two outings against the Rays and Yankees - the highest-scoring teams in baseball.

''Oh, it's been a tremendous surprise. Obviously, a pleasant one. His history wouldn't have indicated he would be this good,'' Mets manager Jerry Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/751/index.html) said.

David Wright (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7382/index.html) added an RBI double and Daniel Murphy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8314/index.html) had three hits for the Mets, who opened a 10-game homestand by improving to 6-10 in June. Francisco Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7029/index.html) rebounded from a blown save with a perfect ninth inning.

In the first meeting between these teams since 2001, the Rays mustered little offense. B.J. Upton manufactured one run with his speed and later hit a two-run double.

The AL champions have dropped three straight following a season-best six-game winning streak. They fell to 14-22 on the road overall.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:52 AM

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Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:54 AM

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Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:56 AM

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Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 06:59 AM

MIAMI(AP) A spacious ballpark. Humid air. A rowdy pack of fans.
The Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) ' home was a nice fit for the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) .

Boosted by a flurry of New York fans who flooded the stadium with navy pinstripes, Andy Pettitte (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5331/index.html) and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as the Yankees beat the Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) 5-1 on Friday night without a slumping Alex Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5275/index.html) .

Call it Yankee Stadium South.

Pettitte and the rest of the pitching staff could get used to the digs, a nice change to their new stadium in New York, which has become a launching pad for home runs.

''They hit a couple balls tonight that would have been home runs probably at Yankee Stadium,'' Pettitte said. ''So instead of giving up one run, I might have given up three or four tonight at home.''

With Rodriguez benched for the first time this season with what he and the team called ''fatigue,'' the Yankees regrouped after two losses at home to the woeful Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) . Derek Jeter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5406/index.html) had two hits after being out of the starting lineup the last two games with a sore left ankle, and Melky Cabrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7595/index.html) homered for New York.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:06 AM

BOSTON(AP) Daisuke Matsuzaka (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7906/index.html) 's latest chance to stop his struggles may be his last for a while.

''If I keep going like this, I have no right to be a part of this rotation,'' Matsuzaka said through an interpreter after being shelled from the start in the Atlanta Braves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/braves/index.html) ' 8-2 win over the Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) on Friday night.

He fell to 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA. And with John Smoltz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4232/index.html) due for his first start next Thursday after six rehab outings, Matsuzaka could be the odd man out.

''We have the ability to be a little flexible in what we do. (I) don't know if it makes a lot of sense to do something before the off day,'' Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) manager Terry Francona (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2089/index.html) said.

Matsuzaka gave up a homer on the first pitch of the game to Nate McLouth (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7513/index.html) . He let the first five batters reach base, got yanked in the fifth inning, allowed six runs and lost to his less heralded countryman, Kenshin Kawakami (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8393/index.html) .

Kawakami cost the Braves just $23 million for three years when he signed in January, far less than the $103 million - $51 for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka and $52 million for a six-year contract - that Dice-K cost the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) .

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:08 AM

CINCINNATI(AP) No special celebration when Brandon Phillips (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6857/index.html) ended his power slump. He flipped the bat, dropped his head and started rounding the bases without fanfare.

This nonstop trip had been a long time coming.

Phillips hit a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly on Friday night, and the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) ended a nine-game losing streak against the Chicago White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) with a 4-3 victory that opened a spotlight weekend for baseball and civil rights.

Phillips' homer off Jose Contreras (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7043/index.html) (2-6) put Cincinnati ahead to stay in the sixth and got him out of his funk. The second baseman hadn't homered since June 3, a span of 53 at-bats. He wasn't quite sure what happened to finally end it.

''I don't know what it was,'' Phillips said. ''Just a home run pitch.''
Bronson Arroyo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6498/index.html) (8-5) got his first June victory by allowing only two hits in 6 2-3 innings, including a two-run homer by Chris Getz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8321/index.html) . Francisco Cordero (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6300/index.html) gave up a solo homer by Paul Konerko (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5908/index.html) in the ninth before picking up his 17th save in 18 chances.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:09 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) Every team that faces Albert Pujols (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6619/index.html) has a difficult dilemma: Pitch to one of the greatest right-handed hitters of his generation or put him on and hope someone else doesn't hurt you.

The Kansas City Royals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/royals/index.html) tried it both ways and failed both times.
Pujols hit a two-run single when the Royals pitched to him and Ryan Ludwick (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6862/index.html) hit a grand slam when they didn't, helping the St. Louis Cardinals beat in-state rival Kansas City 10-5 Friday night.

Khalil Greene (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7233/index.html) and Rick Ankiel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6320/index.html) also hit consecutive homers off Kyle Davies (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7501/index.html) (3-7) to give St. Louis an early seven-run lead. Colby Rasmus (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8190/index.html) had two RBIs and four of the Cardinals' 14 hits.

Brad Thompson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7536/index.html) (2-2) overcame homers by David DeJesus (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7232/index.html) and Miguel Olivo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7028/index.html) for his second straight win after an 11-game winless streak.
The real drama, though, came in Pujols' first two at-bats, when the two-time NL MVP lined a two-run single and intentionally walked to set up Ludwick's first career grand slam. Two approaches, one outcome, very little hope.

''It's a pitcher's problem and a hitter's plus,'' said Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, who earned his 2,498th career win.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:10 AM

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) With more wins than any other pitcher in baseball since his career began with the Astros eight years ago, Roy Oswalt (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6646/index.html) has endured a rough start to this season.

Just as he was on the verge of a June breakthrough, after picking up only one victory over his first 11 starts, Oswalt ran into a Twins team that was determined to be a pest.

Kevin Slowey (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7968/index.html) became the second 10-game winner in the majors, and Minnesota went back to small ball Friday to beat Oswalt and Houston 5-2.

''He's tough, but we were able to wear him out and score a few runs - and the pitching did the rest,'' said Michael Cuddyer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6637/index.html) , who grounded an RBI double down the line in the sixth.

Slowey (10-2) didn't have his usual control, walking Michael Bourn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7828/index.html) and Lance Berkman (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6279/index.html) twice each to match his career high, but he scattered three singles and surrendered only Bourn's sacrifice fly in the third.

Jeff Keppinger (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7414/index.html) 's two-out home run in the eighth against Jose Mijares (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8351/index.html) prompted manager Ron Gardenhire (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2090/index.html) to summon Joe Nathan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6205/index.html) for a rare four-out save, but he didn't allow a baserunner and the Twins moved above .500 for the first time since May 14.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:12 AM

DENVER(AP) After his masterful mix of sliders enfeebled the Pittsburgh Pirates (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/pirates/index.html) , the only downer for Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) right-hander Jason Marquis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6493/index.html) was that he couldn't finish what he started.
Marquis came within an out of the sixth complete game in his 10-year career and the Rockies beat Pittsburgh 7-3 Friday night for their 14th win in 15 games.

Manager Jim Tracy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1996/index.html) , who is 16-5 since taking over for Clint Hurdle (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/535/index.html) on May 29, received a chorus of boos when he went to the mound following pinch-hitter Eric Hinske (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6645/index.html) 's run-scoring single with two outs in the ninth.

The fans gave Tracy a standing ovation when he spun around and returned to the dugout alone, having given Marquis one more chance at his second complete game of the season.
''He told me this was my last guy, it was make or break,'' Marquis said.

Andrew McCutchen (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7977/index.html) sliced a sinker into the corner just out of right fielder Brad Hawpe (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7322/index.html) 's reach to pull the Pirates to 7-3 and chase Marquis.

Left-hander Alan Embree (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4958/index.html) came on and retired Nyjer Morgan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8116/index.html) for the final out

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:13 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) Juan Rivera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6805/index.html) was facing Guillermo Mota (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6214/index.html) in the eighth, trying to find a pitch to hit. He fouled off four of them before hitting a breaking ball over the left field wall.

Rivera's tiebreaking homer put the Angels up for good and the bullpen held on for a 5-4 win over the Dodgers on Friday night.

''It looked like it was a strike slider,'' Dodgers' manager Joe Torre (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41654/index.html) said. ''Those sliders were meant to go through the strike zone and say 'hello,' not 'goodbye,' and that's what happened.''

Rivera, who has four home runs in his last five games, was looking for a good pitch all night.

''Mainly I wanted to get on base,'' Rivera said. ''Mota kept coming after me with fastballs, but that was the best at-bat throughout the night. It was a changeup or a splitter, something spinning.''

Justin Speier (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6015/index.html) (3-1) got the last out of the eighth and Brian Fuentes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6735/index.html) got his AL-leading 19th save by striking out Matt Kemp (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7780/index.html) to end it.
Joe Saunders (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7621/index.html) gave up four runs on six hits in 6 1-3 innings, including a bases-loaded walk to Casey Blake (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6310/index.html) in the third before giving up a solo shot to Loney in the fourth and a two-run homer to Furcal one inning later that put the Dodgers up 4-1.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:14 AM

SAN DIEGO(AP) Although he didn't get a hit, Orlando Cabrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5900/index.html) pointed to his 15-pitch at-bat in the sixth inning Friday night as a key moment. After fouling off 11 pitches against Josh Banks (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7988/index.html) , including six straight with a 2-2 count, Cabrera flew out to center field.

That at-bat gave Cabrera confidence that when he came to the plate in the eighth inning, he could deliver the two-run double that lifted the Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics/index.html) to a 7-5 win over the San Diego Padres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/padres/index.html) .

Cabrera's hit off Edward Mujica (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7801/index.html) (2-2) capped a three-run inning, eventually handing the Padres their 17th loss in 21 interleague games since the start of last season.

''I was feeling really confident at the plate,'' Cabrera said.
''It seemed like he had every area and every velocity covered with his swing,'' Oakland manager Bob Geren (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4200/index.html) added. ''It was a great at-bat that got him going.''

San Diego, which was trying for consecutive wins over an AL opponent for the first time since June 2007, snapped its major league-record interleague losing streak at 13 on Thursday with a 4-3 win over Seattle in 10 innings.

San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7054/index.html) had a double and a career-high four walks, and has reached base in a career-best 11 straight plate appearances. Gonzalez walked once and tied his career high with four hits on Thursday against Seattle, and drew a walk in his final plate appearance Wednesday against the Mariners.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:16 AM

SEATTLE(AP) The potential for this kind of moment was what brought Ken Griffey Jr. back to Seattle this spring after a decade away.
The 39-year-old Junior turned a scheduled day off into the most memorable night so far of his rollicking return season, hitting a pinch-hit, two-run homer to tie the Arizona Diamondbacks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/diamondbacks/index.html) in the eighth inning.

Minutes later, Rob Johnson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8101/index.html) drove in Chris Woodward (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6244/index.html) with the go-ahead run off Tony Pena (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7818/index.html) to give the Mariners a dramatic 4-3 victory on Friday night.

''Today was special,'' Griffey said, grinning over his 618th career home run, the hugs he got from nearly every giddy teammate and then the fans' curtain call he answered by emerging from the dugout and tipping his batting helmet.

''Just a little chance of giving back, appreciating all the things they've done for me over the years,'' Griffey said of the people who have loved him since he was a 19-year-old rookie star here two decades ago.

Johnson thinks Griffey is special, too. His locker neighbor shared heartfelt condolences with him Friday, after Johnson returned from being gone five days to Texas following the death of his mother-in-law. Griffey told the young catcher how he got through losing loved ones - including his best friend, Frank King, who died 13 months ago at the age of 38 of cancer.

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 07:17 AM

SAN FRANCISCO(AP) A few minutes after Randy Johnson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2046/index.html) fell just short, Fred Lewis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7854/index.html) went long.

And though the Big Unit will have to wait for his next milestone victory, he was thrilled to see his struggling teammate get his first big hit in ages.

Lewis's go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning snapped a 2 for 26 slump, and the Giants' bullpen then hung on for a 6-4 victory over the Texas Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rangers/index.html) on Friday night.

Lewis' heroics in his first start in a week seemed highly unlikely - but so was the situation that put Lewis in position to help snap the Giants' three-game losing streak with his first homer since May 24.
Brandon Medders (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7580/index.html) , who's been among the Giants' most dependable relievers all season, yielded Marlon Byrd (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6863/index.html) 's two-run double on the first pitch after he relieved Johnson, who was seeking his 302nd career victory.

Yet the Giants went back ahead thanks to Lewis, who looked overmatched while striking out in his first two at-bats. He hit a shot onto the arcade above the right field wall, and San Francisco's bullpen didn't waste this lead.

''I'm thankful I got a chance to get in there,'' Lewis said. ''I haven't had much success, and I've been working behind the scenes to get my swing back. ... The first two at-bats, it was like the ball was coming at me 100 mph.''

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 11:30 AM

Jonathan Papelbon grouped reporters together to strongly strike down a report that he would be willing to sign with the New York Yankees. "I don't want to go (expletive) play for the Yankees," he said. "I've been on a team for the past five years that's been in first place more than any other (expletive) team otherwise. Why would I want to leave?" Papelbon said he was "nowhere even close" to suggesting he would sign with the Yankees. "Sometimes in these quotes they only see what they want to see," he said. "[The Red Sox] don't owe me nothing," he said. "This team doesn't need me. I need the Red Sox more than the Red Sox need me." He said that where he signs when his contract expires in 2011 only has to do with how happy he is.
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/06/papelbon_strong.html)

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 11:31 AM

With John Smoltz due to join the Boston rotation next week, the Red Sox have hinted at the possibility of a six-man rotation for a short period of time pending performance and health of their remaining five starters -- Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, and Daisuke Matsuzaka. As things stand, Smoltz is currently due to jump into the rotation on the day that would normally belong to Matsuzaka, who is scheduled to face the Atlanta Braves at Fenway tonight. Does that mean Matsuzaka is at some point going to disabled list or the bullpen? Not necessarily.
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/06/for_sox_could_t.html)

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 11:32 AM

Brandon Webb's troublesome shoulder will require more tests and maybe even surgery, and the possibility exists that the organization's most accomplished homegrown player has thrown his last pitch for the Diamondbacks. General Manager Josh Byrnes said Webb was sent back to Phoenix and was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Friday to determine whether there is more structurally wrong with his shoulder than Webb and the club initially believed. If he needs a significant surgical procedure, the Diamondbacks will be hesitant to pick up the 2010 option on his contract, which is worth $8.5 million. They instead could buy out the option for $2 million, making Webb a free agent.
Arizona Republic (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/2009/06/19/20090619spt-dbackswebb.html)

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 11:33 AM

Although he admitted he hasn't spoken with anyone in the Tigers' organization, agent Scott Boras finds the timing of outfielder Magglio Ordonez being sent to the bench troubling. He finds the timing curious because if Ordonez reaches a certain number of plate appearances, his club option for next season becomes guaranteed. Boras' comments came after Tigers manager Jim Leyland interrupted the news conference announcing his contract extension to say Ordonez was not benched.
Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20090620/SPORTS02/906200349/1048/SPORTS/Agent+Boras+not+happy+with+Ordo??ez+s+benching+)

Goodfellas

06-20-2009, 11:34 AM

Hall of Fame slugger Hank Aaron called on Major League Baseball on Friday to do more to increase participation by blacks in the game. Aaron attended a panel discussion at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Ohio with former athletes, civil rights scholars and activists as part of baseball's Civil Rights Game weekend. Aaron said progress has been made, but he'd like to see MLB do more to promote black involvement and opportunities in the game.
Associated Press (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/19/hank_aaron_blacks.html)

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:07 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Suspended slugger Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/dodgers) is set to start his minor league stint on Tuesday with Triple-A Albuquerque.

"Manny has agreed to go to Albuquerque on Tuesday," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said Saturday.

Torre wouldn't specify how many days Ramirez would spend with the club there.

"The only thing I can report to you is that he's agreed to go down there," Torre said. "I think it's just a matter of competition. It's the idea of going out there and playing a game."

Ramirez took batting practice Saturday morning at Dodger Stadium and has been consistently working out since he was suspended for 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's drug rules.

He is eligible to be reinstated on July 3, when the Dodgers are in San Diego.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:08 AM

BOSTON (AP) -- Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox) pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will skip his next turn in the rotation with weakness in his right shoulder, and the Japanese phenom could be headed to the disabled list.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the team had nothing official to announce. But he said an MRI exam showed no structural damage, though there was a weakness and "we're going to have to fix it. It's going to have to be addressed."

Matsuzaka's day to pitch would have been Thursday, but that's also the day John Smoltz is scheduled to make his return from rehab.
"What we decided on going forward is he's not going to make his next start," Francona said.

After a 3-0 win over Atlanta on Saturday night, Francona said that the team isn't making a move yet. The Red Sox have an off-day on Monday and Smoltz ready to pitch on Thursday.

"We're just trying to do what's right," Francona said.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:10 AM

SEATTLE (AP) -- Mariners outfielder Endy Chavez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/6733) is done for the season after an exam revealed a serious right knee injury sustained in a collision with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7511).

Chavez tore the anterior cruciate ligament and has other structural damage in his right knee, Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said before Saturday's game against Arizona.

It'll likely be another few weeks before Chavez can undergo surgery and the full extent of the damage is revealed. Surgery will occur once swelling in the knee goes down.

Chavez, who started at all three outfield positions this season and was hitting .273, was hurt when he collided with Betancourt chasing down a pop up in the fifth inning Friday night. Chavez flipped hard to the turf after the collision, although Betancourt held on to the ball.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:10 AM

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Tom Seaver brought a bottle of his wine label to congratulate Randy Johnson (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/4288) for his recent 300th win. Gaylord Perry and Nolan Ryan, two more Hall of Fame members of the elite 300 club, also showed up to celebrate the Big Unit's milestone victory.

The Giants honored the left-hander before Saturday night's game against Texas for becoming the 24th pitcher to reach 300. The 45-year-old Johnson won at Washington on June 4 for No. 300. A video tribute played on the main center-field scoreboard with highlights from the pitcher's decorated 22-year career, then Johnson was joined by his family for an on-field tribute. He received a warm ovation from the crowd, tipping his hat in every direction.

Johnson, in his first season with San Francisco, is 6-5 this season with a 5.00 ERA. He has a World Series ring and co-MVP honors, five Cy Young awards and is a 10-time All-Star selection. He's thrown two no-hitters, including a perfect game, and ranks second on the career strikeout list.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:15 AM

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/6077) went back on the disabled list Saturday with bone chips in his throwing elbow, the latest setback to a Cincinnati infield that has been in flux all season.

Gonzalez went on the 15-day disabled list a day after he felt pain on a swing during batting practice. The Reds called up infielder Danny Richar from Triple-A Louisville to take his place.

Gonzalez signed a three-year, $14 million contract before the 2007 season. He played in only 110 games in his first year with Cincinnati, going on the bereavement list three times to deal with a child's illness. He missed all last season with a compression fracture in his left knee.

Pulled muscles in his left side forced him to miss nine games in May. He was batting .214 with two homers and 20 RBIs when his right elbow locked up during a swing on Friday night, prompting him to get scratched from the lineup. Tests found four chips in the elbow that will be removed surgically in the next few days.

Gonzalez is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:17 AM

CHICAGO(AP) Kerry Wood (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5982/index.html) let go of the pitch, saw it land low and wide of his catcher and then walked off the mound in misery.

Wood's return to Wrigley Field had gone from bad to worse.

After blowing a save in Friday's 10-inning loss, Wood stumbled again Saturday against his former team.

The Cleveland closer gave up a game-tying single to Andres Blanco (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7313/index.html) in the 13th, blowing the save, and then threw a wild pitch that allowed Blanco to score the winning run as the Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) rallied for a 6-5 victory.

''You have mixed feelings about that,'' Cubs manger Lou Piniella (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/823/index.html) said after his team's third straight wild come-from-behind victory.

''Obviously you like to beat the Cleveland club. Woody did really nice things here in the two years I was here and for this organization in the past. But our job is to go out and whoever is out there try to win a baseball game and that's what we've done.''

Wood, who spent a decade with the Cubs before signing with Cleveland as a free agent in the offseason, declined comment after the loss, the Indians' fifth straight.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:18 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) Sometimes, pitchers feel like they don't have a chance against Albert Pujols (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6619/index.html) .

Pujols hit a two-run homer, Khalil Greene (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7233/index.html) added a late three-run shot and Chris Carpenter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5771/index.html) outpitched Brian Bannister (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7703/index.html) to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 7-1 win over the Royals on Saturday.

Pujols was a key factor when St. Louis opened the three-game series between the instate rivals Friday night with a 10-5 win. The two-time NL MVP had an even bigger role in this one, hitting his 24th homer off Bannister (5-4) in the sixth inning, just missing on two other sharply-hit balls.

''Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder,'' Bannister said. ''When he gets in the batter's box, you start praying. If you don't pray, you think about starting.''

Pujols' shot gave St. Louis a 3-0 cushion and Greene sealed it in the ninth, barely clearing the wall in left to make it 7-1.
That was more than enough the way Carpenter (5-1) pitched.

Coming off his first loss of the season, Carpenter was at his what's-he-going-throw best, hitting the corners with a low 90s mph fastball and buckling the Royals' knees with a chin-to-ankles curveball.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:19 AM

NEW YORK(AP) Johan Santana (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6441/index.html) was back in fine form. That still wasn't good enough to beat James Shields (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7779/index.html) and the Tampa Bay Rays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rays/index.html) .

Carlos Pena (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6621/index.html) hit a tiebreaking homer off Santana in the seventh inning Saturday, sending Shields and the Rays to a rainy 3-1 victory over the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) .

''We wanted to win one for him,'' Pena said. ''This team bears down. We know who we're up against.''

Shields allowed three hits in seven innings and retired his final 14 batters. He outpitched Santana, who rebounded nicely from the worst start of his career.

Both starters were lifted after a 73-minute rain delay in the top of the eighth. Dan Wheeler (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6331/index.html) worked a perfect inning and J.P. Howell got three outs for his fourth save.

Ben Zobrist (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7829/index.html) added a solo homer in the ninth, his 15th in a breakout season for the AL champions.

Outhit 5-4, the depleted Mets have another ailing star to worry about: Carlos Beltran (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6132/index.html) plans to have an MRI exam Monday on his aching right knee.

Beltran, who said he intends to play Sunday, missed two games in late May and had a cortisone shot because of a bone bruise below the knee. Hobbling on the bases, he said he's been feeling the same sensation as before and he wants a doctor's opinion.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:20 AM

DETROIT(AP) Alfredo Figaro (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8513/index.html) didn't have a chance to get his family to Detroit for his major league debut on Saturday.

Luckily for him, one relative was already in town.

Figaro pitched five strong innings and his cousin, Detroit closer Fernando Rodney (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6922/index.html) , finished the game as the Tigers beat the Milwaukee Brewers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/brewers/index.html) 9-5.

''My family was in the Dominican Republic - Rodney was the only one in town,'' the 24-year-old Figaro said. ''They must have been watching - my phone is full of messages telling me that I looked good on TV.''

Figaro, who was called up from Double-A to replace Dontrelle Willis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7133/index.html) in the rotation, allowed two runs and eight hits, striking out seven.

''I thought the kid showed a lot of poise,'' Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. ''He didn't go out there and just try to throw every pitch by the Brewers - that's what you worry about with a young kid that throws hard. He tuned it up to 98 when he needed it against a real good hitting club.''

Figaro wasn't overpowering, but was able to avoid the big hit that could have gotten him in trouble.

''We had some good swings today, but give that young guy credit - he stranded eight runners in five innings,'' Milwaukee manager Ken Macha (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/737/index.html) said. ''He made some big pitches when he needed them.''
Figaro's biggest mistake was a 1-1 change up that Ryan Braun (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8034/index.html) hit over 400 feet into the left-field stands.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:22 AM

WASHINGTON(AP) Willie Harris (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6798/index.html) couldn't get a sacrifice bunt down to move the winning run into scoring position. Then he failed to execute a hit-and-run.

So when emergency reliever Scott Richmond (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8311/index.html) ran the count full, Harris just wanted to drive the ball somewhere to keep the rally alive.

Harris hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning and the Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) stretched their winning streak to a season-high four games by beating the Toronto Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) 5-3 on Saturday night.

Nationals manager Manny Acta kept changing the tenor of Harris' at-bat as it unfolded. First he called for a bunt, then tried to get Harris to shoot a ball through the infield with Alberto Gonzalez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8111/index.html) running on the pitch.

''It's a mouse-and-cat type of game. ... We got all the way to 3-2 and we try to tell (Harris) to be aggressive,'' Acta said.

Gonzalez led off the 12th with a single against Richmond (5-4). Harris then hit a drive into the Nationals' right-field bullpen for his second home run of the season.

''When I got to 3-2, I was able to get a ball up in the zone and hit it out of the ballpark,'' said Harris, who made a diving catch in center to take an extra-base hit away from Raul Chavez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5697/index.html) in the fifth.
The Nationals, with the worst record in the majors, have their longest winning streak since taking seven straight from Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2008.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:24 AM

PHILADELPHIA(AP) Whether it's Ryan Madson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7071/index.html) or Brad Lidge (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6913/index.html) closing, ninth-inning leads are no longer automatic wins for the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies/index.html) .

Brian Roberts (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6741/index.html) hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth off Madson, and the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles/index.html) beat the slumping Phillies 6-5 Saturday night.

The defending World Series champions were 79-0 in the regular season last year when leading after eight innings. They're just 28-6 in those situations this year.

''That's the most deflating part, not getting it done for the those guys,'' said Madson, who has two blown saves and two losses this week in place of the injured Lidge.

Madson (2-3) has excelled in a setup role, but he's struggled as a closer. Lidge, who was 48-for-48 in save chances last season, including the postseason, also had trouble finishing games before going on the disabled list with a knee injury. He was 13-for-19 in save chances.

Pinch-hitter Ryan Howard (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7437/index.html) gave the Phillies a 5-3 lead with a three-run homer in the seventh, hours after being hospitalized for flu symptoms. But Baltimore rallied in the ninth for its fourth straight win.

''We're starting to get a feel that we're never out of it,'' Orioles manager Dave Trembley said.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:25 AM

BOSTON(AP) Derek Lowe (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5801/index.html) returned to face the franchise he helped win the 2004 World Series and ran into the ace of the '07 title.
Josh Beckett (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6403/index.html) allowed just five singles for his first shutout since joining the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) , and Jason Varitek (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5921/index.html) doubled twice against his ex-batterymate to lead Boston to a 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/braves/index.html) on Saturday night.

Lowe received a loud ovation when he left in the seventh, but Beckett's came at the end of the game, and it was even louder.

''A nice gesture by the fans. They clearly didn't have to do it. They didn't come to watch me,'' said Lowe, who spent 7 1/2 years with the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) and earned the victory in the clinching games of all three 2004 postseason rounds. ''They're great fans. They're very loyal. But you tip your hat to Beckett. It was a great game, but it was a loss.''
Beckett (8-3) rebounded after giving up a season-high 11 hits in his last outing, throwing just 94 pitches for his first complete game of the year and the sixth of his career. He struck out seven, walked none and only allowed one runner to reach second base to win for the sixth time in seven decisions.

''I thought he did everything,'' Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) manager Terry Francona (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2089/index.html) said. ''He was economical. That was fun to watch

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:27 AM

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) The Houston Astros (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/astros/index.html) haven't had a lot of luck when trailing late in games this year. Fortunately for them, Minnesota's relievers haven't been so great holding onto leads recently.

Lance Berkman (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6279/index.html) and Michael Bourn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7828/index.html) homered and the Astros rallied to beat the Twins 6-5 on Saturday night, winning for the fourth time in 33 games when trailing after six innings.

Earlier in the night, it seemed as if the Twins were well on their way to their third straight victory. Scott Baker (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7533/index.html) had frustrated the Houston lineup through six innings and took a 3-1 lead into the seventh. And Astros starter Brian Moehler (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5743/index.html) had given up three homers.

But Houston wore down Baker and broke through in the seventh. Then the Astros went to work against the Twins bullpen.

''You'd rather get six runs in the fifth or sixth than six runs in the first,'' Moehler said. ''It's nice to get the runs later in the game.''
Hunter Pence (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7963/index.html) keyed the four-run seventh with a one-out double and Ivan Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4680/index.html) chased Baker with an RBI single.

Jason Michaels (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6696/index.html) followed with a run-scoring double off reliever Sean Henn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7535/index.html) (0-3) and Bourn put the Astros ahead to stay with his second homer of the season. Berkman's solo shot off Luis Ayala (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7080/index.html) in the eighth made it 6-3.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:28 AM

MIAMI(AP) Sweaty and still soaking after a dominant pitching performance, Josh Johnson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7669/index.html) was met at his locker with a handshake and a smile that came all the way from the top.

''Wow,'' Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) owner Jeffrey Loria told him.
Johnson had a lot of people saying that.

The right-hander pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, Dan Uggla (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7692/index.html) homered and the Marlins beat the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) 2-1 on Saturday night.

Johnson (7-1) struck out five and walked two to outpitch former Marlins teammate A.J. Burnett (5-4). It was the sixth straight start Johnson has gone at least seven innings.

He's not only cemented himself as the staff ace, he's quickly becoming one of the most potent pitchers in the National League after years of injuries.

''That's huge for me,'' Johnson said about going deep in games. ''That means I'm doing what I'm supposed to do.''

The Yankees didn't do much to help Burnett.

Johnny Damon (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5484/index.html) misplayed a ball hit to left field by Jorge Cantu (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7380/index.html) in the sixth, allowing Hanley Ramirez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7488/index.html) to score from first to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead they would never lose.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:29 AM

CINCINNATI(AP) Hammerin' Hank had to like this one.
Baseball's annual Civil Rights Game started by paying tribute Saturday to those who have worked for equality, including former home run king Hank Aaron (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/42389/index.html) . The White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) took it from there, with Alexei Ramirez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8169/index.html) hitting the last of four Chicago homers for a 10-8 victory over the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) .

What started with history became all about homers.

''There was a lot going on,'' said Gordon Beckham (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8422/index.html) , whose three-run homer got it started. ''It was a blast.''

Chicago overcame a five-run deficit by scoring its first eight runs off homers. Ramirez's three-run shot off Nick Masset (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7805/index.html) broke a 5-all tie in the sixth. The shortstop had four hits and drove in four runs overall.
Daniel Ray Herrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8266/index.html) (1-3) set up Chicago's go-ahead rally by giving up a double and a walk in the sixth. D.J. Carrasco (2-0) got the victory with two innings in relief of Clayton Richard (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8309/index.html) , who failed to make it past the third inning.

Bobby Jenks (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7285/index.html) gave up a solo homer by Jay Bruce (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8171/index.html) in the ninth before getting his 16th save in 18 chances.

With an array of Hall of Famers watching, every White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) starter got at least one hit.

Beckham hit his first career homer, and Scott Podsednik (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6489/index.html) and A.J. Pierzynski added solo shots off Johnny Cueto (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8172/index.html) , who tied his career high by giving up three homers in less than five innings.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:31 AM

DENVER(AP) It looks like 2007 all over again at Coors Field.
Todd Helton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5870/index.html) hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning and the Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) won their fourth straight game, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/pirates/index.html) 9-7 Saturday night.

The Rockies have won 15 of 16 overall. Two years ago, the Rockies suddenly went on a similar run to reach the World Series.

''That's an incredible win right there, and incredible win,'' manager Jim Tracy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1996/index.html) said. ''We obviously had to do some very special things to win.''

''There is a belief in this clubhouse we show up every day expecting to win,'' he said.

The Rockies improved to 17-5 since Tracy took over for Clint Hurdle (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/535/index.html) on May 29.

''We're doing some great things,'' Helton said. ''We're playing well, pitching deep into the game and getting hits.''

Colorado's Chris Iannetta (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7845/index.html) tied it at 7 with three-run homer in the eighth. Ian Stewart (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7993/index.html) came within a single of hitting for the cycle and drove in three runs for the Rockies.

Huston Street (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7468/index.html) (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory. Colorado's Jason Hammel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7709/index.html) allowed five runs on eight hits in six-plus innings.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:32 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) Jeff Weaver (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6200/index.html) didn't answer his little brother's calls. Not on this day.

Jeff outpitched little brother Jered in a duel that was mostly a dud and the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/dodgers/index.html) beat the Los Angeles Angels (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/angels/index.html) 6-4 on Saturday night.

The much-anticipated Weaver vs. Weaver matchup didn't last too long as neither 26-year-old Jered nor 32-year-old Jeff made it through the sixth inning.

It was the first time in seven years that siblings started against each other in the majors - in 2002, Andy and Alan Benes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5544/index.html) were the pitchers. This was the 21st time overall that it had occurred in the big leagues.

''I called him a couple of times, and he big-leagued me, so I don't know what quite happened there,'' Jered said. ''I don't know if he was getting mentally prepared, or what. I tried calling him a couple of times and there was no answer, so what are you going to do?''
Well, pitch.

Jeff Weaver (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6200/index.html) (4-1) had the upper hand there, too, going five-plus innings and giving up two runs and six hits, including a home run by Kendry Morales (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7481/index.html) .

Jered Weaver (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7708/index.html) (7-3) had a rougher time. He went 5 1-3 innings and was tagged for six runs and 10 hits, including a home run by Russell Martin (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7628/index.html) - his first of the season.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:34 AM

SAN FRANCISCO(AP) Nate Schierholtz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8054/index.html) waited on the balls of his feet, ready to run if a pitch got away. Third-base coach Tim Flannery (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1755/index.html) prepared him for that very possibility.

Sure enough, Schierholtz scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Jason Jennings (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6785/index.html) with two outs in the 11th inning and the San Francisco Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/giants/index.html) beat the Texas Rangers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rangers/index.html) 2-1 on Saturday night.

''That's probably a first,'' said Schierholtz, who hit an inside-the-park homer last Sunday against Oakland. ''I was ready to go. You just kind of have to react. That one wasn't really close. It kicked all the way to the dugout.''

Schierholtz, who entered in a double-switch in the top half, doubled off Jennings (2-3) to start the inning, then advanced to third on a groundout. Pablo Sandoval (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8326/index.html) drew an intentional walk to bring up Bengie Molina (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6026/index.html) , who swung at the 0-1 wild pitch that bounced in the dirt, came up and hit catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7939/index.html) and bounced toward San Francisco's dugout.

''I was trying to make him miss,'' Jennings said. ''A bloop double that barely hits the chalk and a slider in the dirt. That's the ballgame.''
It was the second game in the majors Saturday to end on a wild pitch in extra innings. The Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) beat Cleveland 6-5 in the 13th on Kerry Wood (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5982/index.html) 's wayward toss.

Texas' Chris Davis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8285/index.html) struck out three times and became the fastest player in major league history to reach 100 strikeouts, doing so in 219 at-bats. Melvin Nieves (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4931/index.html) held the previous mark of 235 at-bats with Detroit in 1997.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:35 AM

SAN DIEGO(AP) Adam Kennedy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6318/index.html) was impressive with his bat and his glove.

Kennedy tied his career high with four hits, including a home run, and scored three times as the Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics/index.html) beat San Diego 6-3 on Saturday night, continuing the Padres' interleague woes.

Kennedy also made some nice plays at second base, including bare-handing Tony Gwynn Jr.'s drag bunt opening the Padres' first and throwing him out, then starting a double play in the eighth inning with Adrian Gonzalez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7054/index.html) coming up.

''From the first play of the game it was just his game,'' manager Bob Geren (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4200/index.html) said. ''He took away a hit from Tony Gwynn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/3006/index.html) on a spectacular play.''

Kennedy said his defense ''hasn't been great so far this year, but I'm better than that I know that. Having a game like this, it wasn't the best for me but it was a good one.''

Kennedy and Jack Cust (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6626/index.html) hit back-to-back homers with two outs in the eighth off Greg Burke (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8476/index.html) .

San Diego dropped to 1-7 in interleague play, the worst in the majors. On Wednesday night, they extended their big league record to 13 straight interleague losses by falling 4-3 to Seattle. The Padres snapped that streak by beating the Mariners 4-3 in 10 innings the following day.

Oakland won for the third time in four games.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 07:36 AM

SEATTLE(AP) No matter if Seattle's Wladimir Balentien (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8102/index.html) came up with the game-ending catch or not, his day was already a success.
He recorded first multihit game in more than a month, including his first homer in nearly two months as the Mariners beat the Arizona Diamondbacks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/diamondbacks/index.html) 7-3 Saturday night.

Oh, and he made that last highlight grab, too.

Balentien planted his foot in the short wall down the left-field line, made a leaping effort to try and snag the foul pop among a sea of fans, and came up with the ball.

For at least one game, Balentien showed the progress the Mariners have been waiting for.

''It's a great opportunity for me right now to get a couple of more at-bats every day and I've been putting in a lot of work,'' Balentien said. ''It's a great opportunity for me right now to show everybody all the hard work I was putting in.''

Balentien's first homer since April 25 backed up Jason Vargas (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7599/index.html) ' seven stellar innings as Seattle won for the fourth time in five games.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 08:57 AM

Matt Holliday grew up in Oklahoma and has a home in Colorado. So where did he rent a home last winter? Laguna Beach. Loved it. So did his wife. So maybe, just maybe, the Hollidays could move to Orange County for good next year. If Jason Bay stays with the Boston Red Sox, Holliday would be the best outfielder available in free agency, the one acquisition that would allow the Angels to bid farewell to Vladimir Guerrero without too much of a fuss.
Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-bbline21-2009jun21,0,2641959.story)

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 08:57 AM

The Red Sox have been talking to the Pirates about a possible Jack Wilson deal and are about to send out Lowrie on a minor-league rehab assignment, but they are thrilled with the play they are getting from 30-year-old Nick Green. he Red Sox hope Jed Lowrie will reclaim the job in July, but the availability of Green (along with Julio Lugo) could be enough to keep them from dealing for a veteran.
Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-090620-phil-rogers,0,156650.column)

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 08:58 AM

Dusty Baker, who once managed alleged steroid users Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa, says he wonders what to tell his 10-year-old son. "The worst part for me is that I don't know what to tell my son [Darren]," the Reds manager said after Saturday's Civil Rights Game luncheon at the Duke Energy Center. "He asks me, 'Dad, are there any good hitters not on something?' I just tell him that everyone is under suspicion. I will just be glad when it's all over." Sosa is alleged to have tested positive for steroids in 2003, according to a story last week in the New York Times. "Who knows if it's real or not," Baker said. "And if it is real, still, what do you say?"
Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-21-sosa-baker-cubs-jun21,0,5772041.story)

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 12:48 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Ryan Howard (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7437)'s consecutive games streak appears likely to end after the Phillies slugger was hospitalized for the second time in two nights with flu symptoms.

Howard was at the hospital Sunday and not expected to play against the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles). The 2006 National League MVP has played 343 straight games since May 25, 2007, the longest active streak in the majors.

Howard also went to the hospital after Friday's game.

He was not expected to play Saturday, but returned to hit a pinch-hit, three-run home run.

Matt Stairs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/4848) replaced Howard in the cleanup spot and Greg Dobbs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7439) filled in at first base.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 12:49 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Phillies closer Brad Lidge (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/6913) expects to be activated off the disabled list this week now that his right knee is close to full strength.

Lidge said he'd make at least one more rehab appearance, on Tuesday for Class-A Clearwater, then either be activated Wednesday, or if a third rehab appearance is needed, on Friday in Toronto. He spoke before the Phillies played the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles) on Sunday.

Lidge allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning in a rehab outing with Double-A Reading on Saturday night.

He has been sidelined with a knee injury since June 7 and is eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday.

Lidge is 0-3 with a 7.27 ERA and 13 saves in 19 chances after going 48-for-48 last year, including the postseason.

Goodfellas

06-21-2009, 04:23 PM

BOSTON (AP) -- Struggling Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox) starter Daisuke Matsuzaka went on the 15-day disabled list Sunday and could be sidelined much longer.

"This is not going to be a two-week DL," manager Terry Francona said. "We have to figure this out. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get him back to being Daisuke."

In eight starts, Matsuzaka is 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .378. Last season, he was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA and a major league-best .211 batting average by opponents.

He went on the disabled list with a mild right shoulder strain after an MRI on Saturday showed no structural damage. On Friday night, he allowed six runs in four-plus innings of an 8-2 loss to Atlanta.

"He's got some shoulder weakness," Francona said before Sunday's game against the Braves. "I don't know that you can give him a week off and say, `Come back and pitch and your shoulder's going to be miraculously strong."'

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 01:11 PM

MIAMI (AP) -- CC Sabathia left the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees)' game Sunday against Florida in the second inning with tightness in his left biceps.
A team trainer went out to watch Sabathia while he warmed up before the inning. He gave up a one-out double to Brett Carroll, then manager Joe Girardi and a trainer came out to check on the left-hander again before taking him out of the game.

The team said Sabathia is day to day and that no tests are planned.
Sabathia gave up one run and three hits in 1 1/3 innings. He entered 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA.

The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner, Sabathia was the Yankees' biggest offseason pitching acquisition. He signed a $161 million, seven-year contract with New York after spending 2008 with Cleveland and Milwaukee.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 01:12 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles Angels (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/angels) set up an award in memory of pitcher Nick Adenhart, who died on April 9 after he was killed in a traffic collision by a suspected drunken driver.

Named the Nick Adenhart "Pitcher of the Year" award, the accolade will be given to the Angels' pitcher whose performance is selected by his teammates as the most outstanding through the season.
Adenhart, 22, died in surgery hours after he made his season debut by pitching six scoreless innings in a loss to the Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics) in Anaheim.

Adenhart, Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson were killed. Andrew Thomas Gallo, the driver charged with the killings, pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder on June 9.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 01:14 PM

Lots of speculation about Bobby Valentine returning to the big leagues. Washington could be a possibility, but don't count out the Mets, his former club. If Jerry Manuel fails to guide the Mets into the playoffs and ownership holds him responsible, even with the bevy of injuries, Valentine could have an in.
Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2009/06/21/stumped_by_their_slumps/?page=5)

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 01:15 PM

The Angels have "no interest" in pitcher Pedro Martinez, General Manager Tony Reagins said Sunday. Reagins said the Angels chose not to pursue Martinez for baseball reasons and not financial ones. The Angels scouted Martinez at his workout last week in the Dominican Republic. The Dodgers did not scout the workout, and Manager Joe Torre said that the team has not discussed Martinez since spring training. Reagins did not elaborate on his comments, but a baseball source familiar with reports from the workout said Martinez's fastball was clocked most often in the 85-mph range. The source, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to publicly discuss scouting reports, said Martinez had good arm speed and quality off-speed pitches but said teams would have to consider whether he could pitch effectively at that velocity or whether he might regain enough velocity in time to help this season.
Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angelsfyi22-2009jun22,0,1513040.story)

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 01:19 PM

DETROIT(AP) Any thoughts of a repeat no-hitter for Justin Verlander (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7590/index.html) left the park along with that first-inning homer he gave up.

Settling for another win against Milwaukee would have to do.
In his second start against the Brewers, and with the same plate umpire as in his no-hitter, Verlander pitched into the eighth and Brandon Inge (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6681/index.html) hit a three-run homer to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 win over Milwaukee.

''It was ironic to even have the same home-plate umpire, but you can't go into a game thinking about doing something like that,'' Verlander said. ''That's just something where everything in the world goes your way for a night. Besides, it was all gone pretty quickly.''

His only other start against Milwaukee had also been with Ron Kulpa behind the plate. Of course, any thoughts of a repeat ended when Casey McGehee (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8359/index.html) homered with one out in the first.

Verlander, though, didn't allow another run until the eighth inning.
''When I saw him in 2007 with Oakland, he had a fastball and a curveball, and he was pretty good,'' Milwaukee manager Ken Macha (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/737/index.html) said. ''Now he's got a changeup and a slider. That's how a pitcher takes a step to the next level.''

Verlander (8-3) allowed two runs on five hits in 7 2-3 innings. He struck out eight while improving to 8-1 since April 27.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:25 PM

NEW YORK(AP) Forget about the hip-hop and hard rock that reverberates through most big league clubhouses after an important win. The Tampa Bay Rays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rays/index.html) opted for something a little more fitting of a soggy Sunday.

''I can see clearly now,'' Johnny Nash's voice blared through a small stereo stuffed inside a locker, ''the rain is gone.''

B.J. Upton homered and matched a career high with four RBIs, Carl Crawford (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6870/index.html) drove in a pair of runs and the Rays awoke from an offensive slumber with a 10-6 victory over the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) , taking a road series twice interrupted by rain.

''When B.J. gets going, it gives guys a little more confidence,'' said Evan Longoria (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7914/index.html) , who, like Upton, had four hits. ''It was just one of those days where we felt pretty locked in.''

The highest-scoring team in the majors managed only three runs in each of its last four games, but got four in the fifth inning and four more in the seventh, when Upton's two-run shot off Bobby Parnell (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8338/index.html) (2-3) helped the Rays regain a lead they'd squandered an inning earlier.
''That ball was properly struck,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon said, adding an ''Uff!'' for emphasis.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:26 PM

CINCINNATI(AP) By now, National League hitters ought to know a little bit about Mark Buehrle (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6525/index.html) . Judging by the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) ' swings, he's still mostly a mystery.

The left-hander pitched seven shutout innings, his latest impressive showing against the NL, and the Chicago White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) added to their run of success against the Reds with a 4-1 victory Sunday.

The White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) are 14-3 against Cincinnati in interleague play, winning 10 of their last 11. The latest one had a lot to do with Buehrle (7-2), who is usually at his best against NL hitters who don't know him very well.

The left-hander is 19-6 in interleague play, winning 15 of his last 17 starts against NL teams. Buehrle has won both his career starts against the Reds, who spent the afternoon hitting ground balls off his sinkers.

''Maybe it's just that some of these guys haven't seen me before,'' said Buehrle, who gave up five hits and one walk. ''You just go out there and (use) some of the pitches they haven't seen. It's worked to my advantage.''

Happens that way nearly every time.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:27 PM

WASHINGTON(AP) Six innings wasn't enough for Ricky Romero (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8424/index.html) , even with his pitch count at 101. Toronto relievers needed a break after back-to-back extra-inning losses, so the rookie left-hander appealed to manager Cito Gaston (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40882/index.html) and pitching coach Brad Arnsberg (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/3870/index.html) for a bit more work.

''After the sixth inning, I actually went up to Arnie and Cito and said, 'Let me go one more. I think I have enough in the tank,''' Romero said. ''I just went out there and battled with what I had.''

Romero got through the seventh without much ado and departed after his 118th pitch - his most since college - to take at least a little of the strain off the bullpen in the Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) ' 9-4 win over the Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) on Sunday

''The last inning is probably the best inning he pitched,'' Gaston said.
Romero (4-3) allowed two runs and eight hits, Lyle Overbay (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6639/index.html) had five RBIs and the Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) avoided the unsavory distinction of becoming the first team to be swept by the bottom-dwelling Nationals. Overbay's 3-for-5 day included a middle-deck solo homer in the third as Toronto finished 4-2 on a six-game road trip.

''It was tough losing two on walk-offs,'' Romero said. ''It was really tough to swallow. I think our clubhouse yesterday was hurting. I was just going to go out there and do my job, and my job was to have a quality start.''

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:28 PM

PHILADELPHIA(AP) Ryan Howard (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7437/index.html) spent two nights in the hospital this weekend. Raul Ibanez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5665/index.html) is injured, Jimmy Rollins (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6419/index.html) is getting booed and not even a strong outing by Cole Hamels (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7509/index.html) is enough to boost the slumping Phillies these days.

Brian Roberts (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6741/index.html) had the decisive hit for the second straight game, a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, and the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles/index.html) completed a three-game sweep of Philadelphia with a 2-1 victory Sunday.

''If we can find a way to lose one, that's what's happening,'' said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40774/index.html) , ejected in the eighth inning for arguing a call at first base.

Roberts' RBI single to center off Hamels (4-3) made it 2-1 and sent the Orioles to their fifth straight win. Roberts also hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth off Ryan Madson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7071/index.html) in a 6-5 victory Saturday night.

''He's in the middle of things every game, whether it's in the field or at bat,'' Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. ''He seizes the opportunity whenever it is.''

The World Series champion Phillies paid for it. The NL East leaders have lost a season-high six straight, getting swept at home in consecutive interleague series by Toronto and Baltimore.

Philadelphia went 1-8 on its homestand and fell to 13-22 at home - the Phillies are a major league-best 23-9 on the road.
They start a nine-game road trip Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:29 PM

BOSTON(AP) Nick Green (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6888/index.html) surprised the Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) by overcoming long odds to make the team. On Sunday, he was surprised that his homer won the game.

The shortstop who went to spring training as a non-roster player but is now the starter hit the first pitch in the bottom of the ninth just inside the right-field foul pole 302 feet from home plate.

''I didn't even comprehend the fact that I swung at the first pitch and it was a walk-off'' homer, he said after a 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/braves/index.html) on a windy, misty afternoon. ''I hit second base and everybody is standing at home plate and then I realized what was going on.''

His jubilant teammates had poured out of the dugout when he hit Jeff Bennett (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7263/index.html) 's first pitch of the game for his fourth homer. They mobbed him when he reached the plate.

''He's really done a good job,'' Boston manager Terry Francona (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2089/index.html) said. ''It's gotten to the point where he's just been a really good player, not a really good non-roster player, a really good major-league player.''

Green, who took advantage of his opportunity when shortstops Julio Lugo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6451/index.html) and Jed Lowrie (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8200/index.html) were hurt, is hitting .293 in 52 of the team's 69 games.

Not bad for a 30-year-old who had just one full season in the majors in his 10-year pro career before this season.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:33 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) Albert Pujols (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6619/index.html) comes through Kansas City once a season. The Royals wouldn't be too disappointed if he never came back.

Pujols finished off a three-day romp in Kansas City with two homers and six RBIs, helping the St. Louis Cardinals rout the Royals 12-5 Sunday in win No. 2,500 for manager Tony La Russa (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41354/index.html) .

''He's the best hitter in the game,'' Royals starter Gil Meche (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6266/index.html) said.
Pujols made a mockery of Kansas City pitching in his return to the town where he went to high school, hitting three homers and driving in 10 runs in the Cardinals' three-game sweep over their cross-state rivals.

The two-time NL MVP had four hits Sunday and delivered the decisive blow in the Cardinals' eight-run fourth inning, pounding his club record-tying third grand slam of the season off a window on the Royals Hall of Fame in left. He also had a run-scoring single in the first and added his major league-leading 26th homer - eighth in 10 games - in the fifth to put the Cardinals up 12-4.

''It's nothing special. I'm just seeing good pitches and hitting them,'' said Pujols, who has 12 homers in 27 career games at Kauffman Stadium.

Pujols tied Stan Musial (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/43778/index.html) 's team record of nine career grand slams and matched the season mark of three shared by Jim Bottomley (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/45885/index.html) (1925), Keith Hernandez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/684/index.html) (1977) and Fernando Tatis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5864/index.html) (1999). His fifth multihomer game this season - 28th career - helped La Russa join Connie Mack (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/49905/index.html) (3,831) and John McGraw (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/49418/index.html) (2,763) as the only managers with 2,500 career victories

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:34 PM

MINNEAPOLIS(AP) A batting practice mishap wasn't enough to keep Wandy Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7552/index.html) from his first win in more than a month.

A day after getting hit on the left side of his back by a batted ball from a teammate, Rodriguez gave up only two hits in seven innings to lead the Houston Astros (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/astros/index.html) past the Minnesota Twins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/twins/index.html) 4-1 on Sunday.
Rodriguez threw about a dozen pitches before the game and deemed himself sore but ready, and proved all was well after going 0-4 with a 6.93 ERA in his previous five starts.

''It hurt, but I could throw,'' Rodriguez said after lifting his shirt following the game to show off his bruise. ''We've lost a lot of games, so we needed to win. That's what I was thinking today - I need to win.''

Rodriguez (6-6) gave up Michael Cuddyer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6637/index.html) 's homer leading off the second inning, but didn't allow another hit until Brian Buscher (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8077/index.html) 's one-out single in the seventh on his 105th pitch. Rodriguez walked three and struck out eight for his first win since May 20 against Milwaukee.

''He was terrific today,'' Astros manager Cecil Cooper (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/241/index.html) said. ''It looked like he got stronger as the game went on. Today was a real positive outing for him. Hopefully we can build on this.''

Jeff Keppinger (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7414/index.html) had three hits, an RBI and a run scored, and Hunter Pence (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7963/index.html) added three hits for Houston, which took two of three at the Metrodome for its sixth series win in its last seven overall.
Glen Perkins (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7711/index.html) (2-4) took the loss, allowing four runs and nine hits in seven innings

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:35 PM

CHICAGO(AP) His nerves frayed and his stomach twisting like a wicked curve, Randy Wells (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8160/index.html) couldn't bear to watch so he stayed in the weight room.

Finally, with one out left, he came back out. Then, he got the shaving-cream treatment. And the beer shower.

His first major-league win certainly was something to see.
Wells pitched into the seventh inning, Geovany Soto (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7662/index.html) homered and Jake Fox (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8071/index.html) drove in three runs to lead the Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) to a routine 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/indians/index.html) and their fourth straight win.

Derrek Lee (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5775/index.html) extended his hitting streak to 18 games with an RBI single, tying a career high, and the Cubs cruised to an easy win after taking the previous three in their final at-bat.

This time, they didn't need any late excitement to send the Indians to their season-high sixth straight loss.

Back-to-back extra-inning wins gave way to this: The Cubs taking control early after rallying Friday and Saturday and finally giving Wells (1-3) the support he needed.

''It was pretty nerve-racking,'' he said. ''I tried to stay in the weight room for most of it. I wanted to be out there for the last out.''

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:36 PM

DENVER(AP) As the Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) keep piling up the victories, a different star seems to emerge each day.

On Sunday, it was Clint Barmes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7231/index.html) ' turn.

Barmes homered, drove in two runs and scored two more and the Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) completed a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/pirates/index.html) and ran their latest winning streak to five games with a 5-4 victory.
Less than 24 hours after Todd Helton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5870/index.html) hit a game-winning homer in the ninth, the Rockies have won for the 16th time in 17 games - including an 11-game winning streak - and improved to 18-5 under manager Jim Tracy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1996/index.html) .

Barmes doubled to drive in Colorado's second run of the in the second inning and homered in the fourth to score what proved to be the game-winning run.

'' Clint Barmes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7231/index.html) is thriving where he's hitting in our lineup right now,'' Tracy said. ''He's giving us everything we need from him at the plate and he's making the plays in the field.''

The veteran second baseman and No. 2 hitter has eight home runs and is batting .290.

''I do what I can,'' Barmes said. ''And I'll take every hit I can get and make a contribution when the situation presented me.''

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:37 PM

SAN FRANCISCO(AP) Barry Zito (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6394/index.html) walked two batters to start the game and it looked as though he might be in for a long day.

Instead, Zito buckled down and produced one of his best outings of the season.

The $126 million left-hander carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, Randy Winn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5998/index.html) singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh and the San Francisco Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/giants/index.html) took advantage of another Texas mistake for a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Sunday and a series sweep.

Booed one moment and cheered the next, Zito has become accustomed to varying treatment during two-plus subpar seasons with San Francisco. He thinks he's back on track, though, and that's what matters to him.

''Let them react the way they want,'' Zito said. ''It doesn't affect what I'm doing.''

Zito (4-7) didn't allow a hit until Andruw Jones (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5681/index.html) ' two-run homer with none out in the seventh, a line drive that stayed just fair inside the left-field foul pole. Giants manager Bruce Bochy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/85/index.html) came out to discuss the call with the umpires. Zito had walked Michael Young (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6613/index.html) on four pitches to start the inning.

''I had better command of my stuff the last three or four innings,'' Zito said. ''The changeup I threw to Andruw, he jumped on it. You've got to tip your hat to him.''

Pablo Sandoval (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8326/index.html) hit a pair of doubles in San Francisco's seventh straight win over Texas dating to 2001 and 11th in a row in the Giants' waterfront ballpark.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:38 PM

SAN DIEGO(AP) Kevin Correia (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7178/index.html) picked a good time for a hot streak with the San Diego Padres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/padres/index.html) ' top two starters on the disabled list.
Correia carried a shutout into the seventh inning and combined with three relievers on a two-hitter in the Padres' 4-1 win over the Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics/index.html) on Sunday.

Correia, a sub-.500 career pitcher, retired the first 14 batters before Orlando Cabrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5900/index.html) hit a two-out double down the right-field line in the fourth inning.

''He's finding the strike zone with good pitches,'' San Diego manager Bud Black (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/42499/index.html) said. ''The walks are down; the hits are down. Hopefully, he realizes that he's capable of doing that each and every time out.''
Correia (4-5) allowed one run on two hits, struck out seven and walked one as he dominated the struggling A's. Oakland has scored just 47 runs in its last 15 games.

Kevin Kouzmanoff (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7864/index.html) hit a two-run home run and Henry Blanco (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5862/index.html) added a solo shot for the Padres, who raised their interleague record to 2-7, the worst mark in the majors. San Diego won for just the sixth time in 32 interleague games since June 20, 2007.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:39 PM

SEATTLE(AP) Tony Clark (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5513/index.html) dropped a routine throw to first base, allowing Ronny Cedeno (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7527/index.html) to score the winning run for the Seattle Mariners (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mariners/index.html) with two outs in the ninth inning of a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/diamondbacks/index.html) on Sunday.

Chad Qualls (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7381/index.html) got Franklin Gutierrez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7644/index.html) to ground slowly toward third where Mark Reynolds (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8030/index.html) charged, fielded cleanly and fired a perfect throw to Clark. The ball hit Clark's glove in the palm and popped out, setting off an awkward celebration for the Mariners, who swept the three-game series and climbed above .500 for the first time since May 7.

Trailing 2-1 after Reynolds' two-run homer in the eighth inning off Seattle ace Felix Hernandez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7487/index.html) , the Mariners (35-34) scratched out a run in the bottom half

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:40 PM

MIAMI(AP) The New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) lost their $161 million ace to injury, and Alex Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5275/index.html) 's homecoming was far from spectacular.
Those weren't the only reasons they were upset.

Hanley Ramirez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7488/index.html) and Cody Ross (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7053/index.html) homered, and the Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) held off a late rally to beat the struggling Yankees 6-5 Sunday after CC Sabathia left early with an ailing arm.

New York manager Joe Girardi (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4296/index.html) protested the game because of a mixup with the Marlins lineup in the eighth inning, when a Florida player was removed in a double switch but took his position on the field anyway.

''We've never seen it,'' Girardi said. ''Something doesn't add up.''
Sabathia came out in the second with tightness in his left biceps and the Marlins took advantage, handing New York its fourth loss in five games - all against Washington and Florida. But Sabathia said he didn't want to be pulled because the injury wasn't serious. He expects to make his next start.

''It wasn't a sharp pain or anything,'' Sabathia said. ''It just felt a little tight. It's something I felt before, between starts or something. It's nothing major.''

Chris Volstad (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8109/index.html) (5-7) gave up three runs in six innings. Matt Lindstrom (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7958/index.html) allowed a two-run triple to Brett Gardner (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8289/index.html) with two outs in the ninth, then got Derek Jeter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5406/index.html) to ground out for his 14th save in 16 chances.
Ramirez tied it with a two-run homer in the fifth, and Ross' solo shot off Brett Tomko (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5819/index.html) (0-2) in the sixth put the Marlins ahead for good.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 02:41 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) Clayton Kershaw (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8180/index.html) was pulled 2 1/2 weeks ago after giving up three runs and throwing 83 pitches in his worst outing of the season.

On Sunday, he shut down a potent Los Angeles Angels (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/angels/index.html) lineup that leads the league in batting.

Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings, James Loney (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7725/index.html) hit a two-run homer that was upheld by video review and the Dodgers beat the Angels 5-3 on Sunday night to take two of three in the Freeway Series.

''I thought he was terrific. That's a huge game,'' Dodgers manager Joe Torre (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41654/index.html) said of Kershaw. ''Two games ago, it was the worst game this year and the last two have been really, very good. He used a lot of offspeed today. I thought he mixed it up really well. This ballclub is tough to not get good swings, but he did a good job.''

Juan Pierre (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6550/index.html) had a pair of RBI doubles, Casey Blake (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6310/index.html) hit an RBI single and the Dodgers had nine hits off Angels starter John Lackey (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6953/index.html) .
Kershaw (4-5) gave up four hits in his longest outing since he beat the Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) on May 17.

He got into trouble in the fifth and loaded the bases on a walk to Sean Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8224/index.html) , Erick Aybar (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7744/index.html) fielder's choice and Chone Figgins (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6986/index.html) ' single. But he turned Bobby Abreu (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5698/index.html) 's line drive into a double play at home to get Rodriguez out, and then got Torii Hunter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5884/index.html) to pop up to Rafael Furcal (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6404/index.html) to end the inning.

''The kid grew up in a hurry,'' Torre said. ''He got into a jam and I said to (Rick) Honeycutt, 'He got himself into this thing, let him get himself out.' From there on out, he was pretty dominant.''

Jonathan Broxton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7613/index.html) allowed two runs, but got four outs for his 17th save.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 08:17 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Phillies slugger Ryan Howard (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7437) could return to the lineup Tuesday at Tampa Bay after being hospitalized over the weekend with flu symptoms.

The team said on Monday that he has acute sinusitis.

Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement that Howard was resting at home and would rejoin the team for the three-game series if he felt well enough.

Howard missed Sunday's 2-1 loss to Baltimore, ending his consecutive games streak at 343. It was the longest active streak in the majors.

The 2006 NL MVP went to the hospital hours after Friday's game. He wasn't expected to play Saturday, but delivered a pinch-hit, three-run homer in Philadelphia's 6-5 loss to the Orioles.

Howard was hospitalized again Saturday and wasn't at the ballpark on Sunday.

Goodfellas

06-22-2009, 08:18 PM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay's Akinori Iwamura (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7908) could be back on the field a lot sooner than expected after undergoing surgery for a knee injury that was not as severe as the Rays initially suspected.

The second baseman only had a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and had an arthroscopic procedure performed Monday instead of reconstructive surgery that would have sidelined him the rest of the season.

Instead, Iwamura could return in six to eight weeks.

The former star in Japan's Central League was injured in a collision at second base with Florida's Chris Coghlan (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/8469) on May 24. Team orthopedist Dr. Koco Eaton also repaired the torn medial meniscus in the knee.

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 06:41 AM

OAKLAND, Calif.(AP) Barely a week ago, the Oakland Athletics (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/athletics/index.html) were swept in San Francisco having scored all of three runs in three games.

''We know we're a better team than we showed when we went there,'' reliever Brad Ziegler (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8262/index.html) said.

Bobby Crosby (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7223/index.html) had three RBIs, rookie Trevor Cahill (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8410/index.html) won his third straight decision and the A's ended a five-game losing streak in the Bay Bridge Series with a 5-1 victory over the Giants on Monday night.
Travis Ishikawa (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7734/index.html) hit a solo home run in the second to put San Francisco ahead but that's all the offense the Giants could muster.

Orlando Cabrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5900/index.html) doubled in a run in the fourth for Oakland to tie the game at 1, then Ryan Sweeney (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7858/index.html) 's RBI groundout two batters later gave the A's the lead.

Crosby hit a two-run double in the sixth and had an eighth-inning RBI groundout in Oakland's third win in four games.

Cahill (5-5) allowed four hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked one in his 15th start of the year, most by an AL rookie. He retired the final seven batters he faced and has allowed only four earned runs in his last 19 1-3 innings over his last three starts.

''The first game after getting swept, it's good to get on a positive note,'' Cahill said. ''Maybe we can sweep them this time.''

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 06:43 AM

ATLANTA(AP) Javier Vazquez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5947/index.html) is accustomed to pitching with very little run support from his Atlanta teammates.

At least this time, enough went right for Vazquez to win for the first time in six starts as he and three Braves relievers combined to shut out the Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) 2-0 on Monday night.

''You're not going to get the win every time out, but I'll take it,'' he said. ''I like that I threw a good game and got the win.''

In a makeup game caused by a June 4 rainout, the Braves won a series for the first time since completing a three-game sweep of Toronto on May 24. The Braves had gone 0-5-3 in their last eight series. Atlanta and Chicago split the first two games of the original series June 2-3.

With the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) , Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) and Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies/index.html) visiting Turner Field for nine games over the next 10 days, the Braves wanted to build some momentum.

''I think we look at it more as the start of our homestand,'' Braves catcher Brian McCann (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7569/index.html) said. ''Those are some tough teams coming up.''

Atlanta, which snapped a two-game slide, ended the Cubs' four-game winning streak.

Vazquez (5-6) gave up nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts. The right-hander's victory snapped a five-start streak in which he went 0-3 despite a 3.44 ERA. Over Vazquez's last six starts, the Braves have scored a total of 10 runs.

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 06:44 AM

NEW YORK(AP) No matter how many All-Stars get injured, the New York Mets (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mets/index.html) plan to stick around in the pennant race.

Tim Redding (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6754/index.html) pitched into the eighth inning for his first win with the Mets and substitute setup man Brian Stokes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7863/index.html) got Albert Pujols (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6619/index.html) to ground into a crucial double play, leading New York past the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 on Monday night.

Daniel Murphy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8314/index.html) homered and Omir Santos (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8374/index.html) went 4 for 4 in an uplifting victory for the Mets, hours after they received another dose of disheartening news. Star center fielder Carlos Beltran (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6132/index.html) went on the 15-day disabled list with a bone bruise on his right knee, a huge blow to a team already decimated by key injuries.

''It's got to be huge to know we can compete after losing a huge player like Carlos,'' Stokes said.

Before the game, New York manager Jerry Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/751/index.html) said he would keep a close eye on the spirit of his squad, also missing shortstop Jose Reyes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7874/index.html) , first baseman Carlos Delgado (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5178/index.html) and three important pitchers.

But the Mets' makeshift lineup responded with 14 hits and the pitching staff held a streaking Pujols in check. Alex Cora (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6023/index.html) had a pair of RBI singles and Luis Castillo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5676/index.html) went 3 for 3 with an RBI double and a walk. Santos set a career high for hits, including a run-scoring single.
''It takes more than five superstars to win,'' Cora said

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 06:45 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) The Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) don't appear to need much help from their opponents these days to win. Yet, the Los Angeles Angels (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/angels/index.html) gift-wrapped a couple of runs with two of their club record-tying six wild pitches.

Brad Hawpe (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7322/index.html) celebrated his 30th birthday with a three-run homer, Seth Smith (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8144/index.html) also went deep and the Rockies beat the Angels 11-1 on Monday night for their 17th victory in 18 games and club-record ninth straight on the road.

Colorado is 19-5 since firing Clint Hurdle (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/535/index.html) as manager on May 29 and replaced him with bench coach Jim Tracy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1996/index.html) .

''I don't know if it's a case of what he's told us, or what he hasn't told us that's been the biggest thing,'' first baseman Todd Helton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5870/index.html) said. ''But we know that when we show up, in his mind and our minds, today is the most important day and we're going to do everything we can to win that game that day, and worry about the next game tomorrow.''

The Rockies, who were last in the NL West and 14 games off the pace change was made, now trail second-place San Francisco by one game and the division-leading Dodgers by nine. Their sixth straight victory put them a season-best four-games over .500.

''I think we just started playing up to our potential and doing a lot of the little things it takes to win games,'' Helton said. ''Obviously, it starts with starting pitching. Even when a guy hasn't pitched his best game - which guys have been doing a lot lately - they've stayed away from big innings and we've been able to bounce back.''

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 08:19 AM

As Eric Milton eyes his return to the Dodgers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/51)' starting rotation, general manager Ned Colletti has been out watching some of their minor-league affiliates recently. It's no secret the Dodgers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/51) would like to upgrade starting pitching before the trade deadline, and reportedly Colletti is checking out which minor leaguers in the Dodgers (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/51)' system can be used in a trade to acquire left-hander Jarrod Washburn (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/3313) from Seattle. The Mariners (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/44) are still hanging around in the AL West, though, so it's not exactly a sure thing they'd be willing to part with Washburn. He does make quite the hefty salary, but his contract is up at the conclusion of this season, so moving him wouldn't really save the Mariners (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/44) much money.
MLB Fanhouse (http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/06/22/jarrod-washburn-tied-to-dodgers-in-trade-rumors/)

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 08:21 AM

Paul Dolan is not happy with the Indians (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/37)' record, performance or standing in the American League. This has brought the focus on manager Eric Wedge and how long he will keep his job. Wedge, in his seventh season as manager, is signed through 2010. "In terms of individual performance, I won't comment on that," said Dolan, when asked to evaluate Wedge. "We have a process we go through. It hasn't begun. It starts with meeting with Mark." Mark Shapiro is in his eighth season as general manager. He has worked in the Indians (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/37)' front office since 1992. Shapiro hired Wedge as manager after the 2002 season following the midseason firing of Charlie Manuel. Dolan said he and his father, owner Larry Dolan, will meet with Shapiro in the near future. "We are concerned about the direction of the team," said Dolan. "[But] we are not going to make any rash decisions.
Cleveland Plain Dealer (http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/06/cleveland_indians_team_preside.html)

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 08:22 AM

The most puzzling part of the Royals (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/39)' nosedive has been -- at least by his standards -- Zack Greinke (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/3758)'s slump and the Royals (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/39)' 0-4 record in his last four starts. Greinke has thought plenty about that. He doesn't have a sure answer, only ideas. Wasn't too long ago he was the Sports Illustrated cover boy, the hottest story in baseball. He is still in the midst of a remarkable season, 8-3 with a 1.96 ERA overall, but his ERA is 5.68 and opposing hitters are slugging .519 off him in his last three starts. It's interesting that Greinke mentions he needs to pitch inside a little bit more. That jibes with what seems to be the consensus opinion among scouts about Greinke's slump. PitchFx data show no drastic change in Greinke's velocity or the movement on his pitches in the last few weeks. So maybe it is just as simple as location.
Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1267644.html)

BigAl33

06-23-2009, 12:55 PM

THE YANKEES WILL FALL TO THE BRAVES!!!!!!:poke:

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 01:07 PM

THE YANKEES WILL FALL TO THE BRAVES!!!!!!:poke:

What year was it '96?

Goodfellas

06-23-2009, 04:06 PM

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/indians) have All-Star center fielder Grady Sizemore (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7256) back.

Sizemore, out since May 31 with an inflamed left elbow, was activated from the disabled list Tuesday before the struggling Indians opened a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/pirates).
Bothered by soreness in his elbow since training camp, Sizemore was batting .223 with nine homers and 31 RBIs in 49 games before going on the DL for the first time in his career. He was expected to be in embattled manager Eric Wedge's lineup for the series opener.
The Indians optioned center fielder Trevor Crowe to Triple-A Columbus.

Cleveland also recalled left-hander Tony Sipp from the Clippers and designated right-hander Luis Vizcaino (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/6291) for assignment.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 05:59 AM

DETROIT(AP) The streaking Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers/index.html) put slumping Magglio Ordonez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5889/index.html) back on the field, batting him seventh.

They got a game-winning hit from that spot in the lineup. But it wasn't from Ordonez.

Pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7454/index.html) hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, lifting Detroit to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) on Tuesday night.
Raburn was mobbed by his teammates at home plate in a wild celebration that included some playful punches.

''I didn't feel a thing,'' he said. ''I was kind of numb. I've never done that before.''

No one has for the Tigers, in fact, in a long time.

The last time Detroit won a game on a walkoff homer by a pinch hitter was in 1995, when Lou Whitaker (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1068/index.html) was at the plate against the Chicago White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) and Alan Trammell (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1028/index.html) , now the Cubs' bench coach, was one of the baserunners.

Raburn's blast to left-center off Kevin Gregg (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7206/index.html) capped a dramatic ending in which the teams alternated hitting two-run homers in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

''We went from a real low to a real high, to a real low and a real high,'' Detroit manager Jim Leyland said.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:03 AM

WASHINGTON(AP) Rarely have two nicknames proved more appropriate. Red Sox Nation invaded NatsTown for the first time Tuesday night, and the result was no contest - on or off the field.
The Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) discovered another home away from home in the nation's capital, drawing a record-setting crowd for an 11-3 win against the overmatched Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) . Chants of ''Let's go, Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) !'' echoed throughout the evening from the 41,517 fans, the most yet for a 14-month-old Nationals Park that usually has more seats empty than filled.

''It's something that we're used to,'' Boston shortstop Nick Green (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6888/index.html) said, ''but this seemed like a little more than usual.''

In their first regular season visit since 1971 - when Boston great Ted Williams (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/44101/index.html) was managing the Washington Senators - the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) had a season-high 17 hits against the worst team in baseball.

Jason Bay (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7143/index.html) had four hits, including his 19th homer. Jacoby Ellsbury (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7912/index.html) also had four, including first two-triple game of his career. The six-run eighth inning was so long that pinch-hitter Rocco Baldelli (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7025/index.html) actually got to bat twice, leading off with a single and making the third out on a fielder's choice.

''I wasn't even ready,'' said Baldelli, who had more or less shut himself down for the game when he scored following his hit. ''I didn't realize I was going to hit again. Someone said something along the lines of 'You'd better get up there and get ready.'''

Manny Delcarmen (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7612/index.html) (2-1) got the win in relief for the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) , who have won 14 of 19 in June. Boston took the lead for good in the seventh inning on Jason Varitek (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5921/index.html) 's sacrifice fly off Julian Tavarez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5103/index.html) (3-5), but it was another bad outings from Kip Wells (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6301/index.html) , Jesus Colome (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6656/index.html) and Joel Hanrahan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7991/index.html) had Washington manager Manny Acta suggesting that yet another bullpen shake-up was on the way.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:05 AM

PITTSBURGH(AP) During another horrid ninth inning by a bullpen that can't be trusted with a lead of any size, manager Eric Wedge (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4795/index.html) probably thought he was watching yet another game get away from the Indians. Maybe his job, too.

Only this time, and the Indians aren't exactly sure how they pulled it off, this late-inning meltdown didn't wind up as a loss.

Jhonny Peralta (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7156/index.html) homered and drove in three runs to support rookie David Huff (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8417/index.html) 's eight shutout innings and the Indians halted a six-game losing streak, overcoming their latest bullpen collapse to beat the slumping Pirates 5-4 on Tuesday night.

The Indians, who blew a pair of five-run leads and a seven-run lead during their losing streak, led 5-0 going into the ninth before nearly giving up another big lead. The Pirates scored four times and loaded the bases before Adam LaRoche (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7253/index.html) , who homered to start the comeback, flew out to right field on a 3-2 pitch by Kerry Wood (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5982/index.html) to end the game.

''We knew we weren't going to get the W the easy way,'' Wood said. ''It was ugly, but we got it done.''

And they didn't. LaRoche was mad at himself for swinging at ball four, although he barely missed connecting on the pitch.

''When we're in a stretch like this, you know it's going to take a ball bouncing your way or something going your way,'' Wood said. ''They had me on the ropes, and he just as easily could have not swung at that, walked him and tied it up. I feel like we got a little help with that last at-bat

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:06 AM

TORONTO(AP) Brian Tallet (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7027/index.html) 's changeup was working so well against right-handed batters that Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) catcher Rod Barajas (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6368/index.html) started calling for it against lefties, too.

So far, so good. Instead of worrying about his changeup sinking down and in, the traditional power zone for left-handed hitters, Tallet's off-speed pitch is fooling batters on either side of the plate.
Tallet matched a career-high with seven strikeouts in six shutout innings and the Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) homered three times to beat the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) 7-5 on Tuesday night.

''I saw how the righties were approaching his changeup early on in the season, they weren't having much success,'' Barajas said. ''I'm like, 'Why don't we throw it to lefties?'We went with it and he's done a great job. That's almost an out pitch now, that's almost better than his breaking ball or his cutter.''

Marco Scutaro (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6966/index.html) hit a two-run homer, Scott Rolen (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5668/index.html) and Barajas each added solo shots for Toronto.

Pitching on three days' rest, Tallet (5-4) allowed just three hits and walked one.

''He did an unbelievable job,'' Barajas said. ''He gave us six solid innings, didn't give up any runs and he let the offense go out there and do our thing.''

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:07 AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.(AP) Forget a change of scenery, plus an added incentive to play well in a rematch of the teams from last year's World Series.

Six runs in the first inning helped the Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies/index.html) relax and get back on track Tuesday night.

''We got some big hits early. We got some runs and we got a lead and was able to hold it,'' manager Charlie Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/40774/index.html) said after the world champions got seven RBIs from Chase Utley (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7072/index.html) and John Mayberry (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/769/index.html) to rout the Tampa Bay Rays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rays/index.html) 10-1.

Utley and Mayberry both homered in support of Jamie Moyer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/3932/index.html) (5-6) to help the Phillies shrug off a 1-8 interleague homestand that dropped the NL East leaders nine games below .500 (13-22) at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia is a baseball-best 24-9 on the road.

''For us to just be able to go out there and get that kind of a start, it was good,'' the Phillies' Ryan Howard (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7437/index.html) said. ''It gives your pitcher a good cushion.''

Utley had a two-run double in the first inning. He added his 16th homer, a two-run shot in the fourth, off David Price (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8175/index.html) (1-2) for a 10-0 lead against the Rays' highly-regarded rookie left-hander.

Moyer (5-6) pitched six strong innings and John Mayberry (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/769/index.html) , filling in for the injured Raul Ibanez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5665/index.html) , hit a three-run homer for the Phillies, who defeated the Rays in the World Series in five games.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:08 AM

NEW YORK(AP) Inducing one harmless grounder after another, Joel Pineiro (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6549/index.html) ended a monthlong losing streak in style and made the depleted Mets look feeble.

Pineiro pitched a career-best two-hitter to stop a five-start skid, dominating New York again and leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a rain-delayed 3-0 victory Tuesday night.

''That was classic,'' Cardinals manager Tony La Russa (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41354/index.html) said.
Albert Pujols (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6619/index.html) smacked a two-run single and Pineiro matched the Mets at the plate by himself. He doubled and scored in the third inning, then singled in the fourth.

Relying on a precise and steady sinker, Pineiro (6-8) got an astounding 22 outs on the ground in his fifth career shutout and 11th complete game. His previous win also was a shutout, a three-hitter in a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) on May 19.

After winning his first four starts this season, Pineiro had lost eight of nine. He threw 100 pitches, allowing only singles by Luis Castillo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5676/index.html) in the third and pinch-hitter Jeremy Reed (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7284/index.html) in the ninth.

''It's something you feel when you go out there. When you see something is working, you stay with it,'' Pineiro said. ''Obviously, they know you are going to throw the sinker. But if I keep it down, they can't hit it. It makes my curveball and slider better.''

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:09 AM

ATLANTA(AP) As Atlanta rookie Tommy Hanson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8397/index.html) kept pitching out of jams, his confidence kept growing against the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) .
''I was pumped up to throw against those guys and stuff like that, but really with the walks, it's something I've never experienced before,'' Hanson said. ''I know what I'm doing wrong, and I've just got to correct it and slow myself down.''

Hanson won his third straight start, Brian McCann (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7569/index.html) had two RBIs including a solo homer and Atlanta threw consecutive shutouts for the first time in four years with a 4-0 victory Tuesday night.
New York managed just four hits and left 12 runners on base as Chien-Ming Wang (0-6) lost his sixth straight start.

In the Yankees' first visit to Turner Field since 2000, Atlanta's pitching staff combined for its first consecutive shutouts since June 21-22, 2005, when it beat Florida by a combined 13-0 score.
New York has lost three straight and four of six.

''It's hard to win when you get only four hits,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4296/index.html) said. ''We're just not swinging the bats.''

Hanson (3-0) allowed four hits and five walks with four strikeouts in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander, who has pitched 13 2-3 consecutive scoreless innings, left the bases loaded in the second and fourth and stranded two runners in scoring position in the third.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:10 AM

MIAMI(AP) The Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins/index.html) squandered a late five-run lead but still managed to reach the .500 mark for the first time since mid-May.
Jorge Cantu (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7380/index.html) singled home Emilio Bonifacio (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8112/index.html) with no outs in the 12th inning Tuesday night to give the Marlins a 7-6 victory over Baltimore that snapped the Orioles' five-game winning streak.

Brian Bass (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8198/index.html) (4-2) began the 12th by walking Bonifacio and he advanced to second on a wild pitch with Hanley Ramirez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7488/index.html) batting. Ramirez was then intentionally walked.

Cantu lined a single to left and Luke Scott (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7521/index.html) 's throw home beat Bonifacio but the ball came out of catcher Gregg Zaun (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5427/index.html) 's glove on the tag.

''I thought he was out. I didn't see Zaun drop the ball,'' said Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, whose team led 6-1 after seven innings.
Zaun said he should have made the play despite the short hop.
''It's not one I haven't made dozens of times in my career before. It just took a funny little squirt to the right and I didn't catch it in a good part of the mitt,'' Zaun said.

Ramirez hit his second career grand slam and Dan Uggla (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7692/index.html) homered for Florida, which improved to 36-36, its first time at .500 since May 13.

Matt Wieters (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8395/index.html) homered and added an RBI single for Baltimore.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:11 AM

MILWAUKEE(AP) Heavily damaged Miller Park felt a little like home for the Minnesota Twins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/twins/index.html) , whose Metrodome is missing many of the luxuries of baseball's newer stadiums.

The Twins showed they didn't need any of them, either.

Joe Crede (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6411/index.html) , Carlos Gomez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8023/index.html) and Brendan Harris (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7372/index.html) combined to drive in six runs, all with two outs, and Minnesota jumped on Milwaukee starter Jeff Suppan (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5454/index.html) for a 7-3 victory over the Brewers on Tuesday night in the first game played at Miller Park since it sustained severe water damage.

While the Brewers were being swept in Detroit over the weekend, Miller Park fared worse with heavy rains on Friday that caused severe flash flooding and inundated the lower level of the stadium, which opened in 2001, with several feet of water in places.

While the field level and fan areas of the park were normal, the Brewers are without batting cages, a weight room, conditioning equipment, video services, their private kitchen and usual furniture after water soaked both clubhouses.

There's no estimate yet of the damage costs, but the Twins marveled at how the Brewers were able to get the park ready for play.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:15 AM

HOUSTON(AP) Kansas City Royals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/royals/index.html) manager Trey Hillman didn't think Zack Greinke (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7257/index.html) had his best stuff on Tuesday.

The Houston Astros (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/astros/index.html) would have to disagree.

Greinke pitched eight sharp innings for his first win in almost a month and Billy Butler (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7634/index.html) homered as the Kansas City Royals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/royals/index.html) beat the Astros 2-1.

The victory breaks a five-game losing streak for the Royals, who have won just seven of their last 23.

Greinke (9-3) allowed a run in the first before pitching seven shutout innings for his first win since throwing a complete game against Detroit on May 26.

He had two losses and a pair of no decisions in that span. The game was also his longest outing since the complete game.

''He was really tough,'' Houston's Miguel Tejada (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5888/index.html) said. ''The kid today was kind of like Roger Clemens (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/3340/index.html) pitching back in the day. I don't want to say he's just like Clemens, but he (had) a good command today. He had the fastball at 96 (mph) 97, the slider, the changeup - everything. He's good.''

The score was tied 1-all in the third inning before Butler's solo shot to the Crawford Boxes in left field put Kansas City ahead.
''I knew it was gone,'' Butler said. ''There was no need to watch it.''

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:16 AM

CHICAGO(AP) On the night Manny Ramirez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5132/index.html) started playing ball again, the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/dodgers/index.html) showed why they haven't missed him very much.

''We play the same way every day,'' catcher Russell Martin (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7628/index.html) said after Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) . ''Our pitching has been great. You can't really get better than what we're doing right now.''

James Loney (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7725/index.html) , whose two-run homer backed Hiroki Kuroda (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8167/index.html) 's outstanding pitching, disagreed.

''I don't think there's a team that (wouldn't want) Manny,'' Loney said. ''When he comes back, it will just make us that much better.''
That's a scary thought. The Dodgers have been the top team this season both with and without their star slugger, who on May 7 was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy.

While Ramirez was going hitless in two at-bats for Triple-A Albuquerque in his first game since the suspension, the Dodgers were improving to 47-24. They are 26-16 so far without Ramirez. Each mark is an MLB best.

Kuroda (2-3) made winning without Manny look easy, allowing four hits in 8 2/3 innings.

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:18 AM

PHOENIX(AP) As Justin Upton (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8080/index.html) slumped in April, critics suggested that he would be an ideal No. 3 hitter - at Triple-A Reno.

The 21-year-old outfielder has emerged from his early struggles to become one of the more potent three-hole hitters in the major leagues.

Upton homered, doubled and drove in three runs, and Max Scherzer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8193/index.html) won his third straight start as the Arizona Diamondbacks (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/diamondbacks/index.html) defeated Texas 8-2 on Tuesday night, sending the Rangers to their fifth straight loss.

Upton, who opened the season with one hit in his first 17 at-bats, raised his average to .324. He has 14 home runs, 17 doubles and 45 RBIs.

''I'm happy for him,'' manager A.J. Hinch said. ''He's a legitimate three-hole hitter in the major leagues.

''It's a pleasure to watch him,'' Hinch said. ''He's playing with some urgency.''

Upton, the top overall pick in the 2005 draft, said he mostly rolled his eyes at April speculation that he needed to go to the minors for more seasoning.

''Obviously, to play at this level, you've got to be confident in your abilities,'' he said.

Felipe Lopez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6415/index.html) had three hits and drove in three runs, and Stephen Drew (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7560/index.html) added three singles for the Diamondbacks, who snapped a three-game skid

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:19 AM

OAKLAND, Calif.(AP) Tim Lincecum (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7981/index.html) had to work a little harder for this one. Even a few jams weren't enough to faze him.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner pitched a seven-hitter in another complete game against Oakland, Pablo Sandoval (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8326/index.html) and Edgar Renteria (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5602/index.html) each hit RBI doubles and the San Francisco Giants (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/giants/index.html) beat the Athletics 4-1 on Tuesday night.

Lincecum (7-2), who fueled up with an ice cream taco pregame in the clubhouse on a hot summer afternoon, had a 2-0 lead before he even threw his first pitch. He struck out 12 in his fourth career complete game and second this year, finishing the 2-hour, 16-minute game with an efficient 108 pitches. The other also came against the A's, on June 12.

''You try to be the same person with no outs as you are in jams,'' Lincecum said. ''I felt I had to do a little bit more as the game went on, in the fifth, sixth, seventh.''

Bengie Molina (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6026/index.html) and Matt Downs (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8511/index.html) added sacrifice flies as the Giants bounced back after the A's snapped their five-game winning streak in the series Monday night. San Francisco swept Oakland earlier this month for the first time since 2001.

Lincecum's lone baserunner in the first 5 1-3 innings came on Jason Giambi (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5386/index.html) 's solo home run leading off the second. Giambi returned to Oakland's lineup after getting the day off Monday to rest his sore body

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:23 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif.(AP) The Colorado Rockies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/rockies/index.html) shouldn't have been too upset after losing for only the second time in 19 games. It was the way they lost that left everyone in the clubhouse as glum as a team on a 10-game skid.

Bobby Abreu (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5698/index.html) drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning after third baseman Ian Stewart (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7993/index.html) messed up two bunt plays, and the Los Angeles Angels (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/angels/index.html) won 4-3 Tuesday night.

The Rockies had won six straight overall and a club-record nine in a row on the road.

''We're a good ballclub and we don't give up,'' Angels center fielder Torii Hunter (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5884/index.html) said. ''When you beat a team like that, the hottest team in baseball, that says something. That was big for us.''

The victory, coupled with Texas' 8-2 loss at Arizona, put the two-time defending AL West champions into a first-place tie for the first time since their opening day win against Oakland.

Troy Tulowizki's two home runs and three RBIs helped Ubaldo Jimenez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7900/index.html) (6-7) take a 3-2 lead into the eighth. He walked Jeff Mathis (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7296/index.html) leading off the inning, and Erick Aybar (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7744/index.html) was credited with a bunt single after Stewart fielded the ball up the line and looked toward second before throwing late to first.

''When (Stewart) fielded the ball on the first bunt and looked to second, you've got to be mindful of who's going down the line,'' said Rockies manager Jim Tracy (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/1996/index.html) , who is 19-6 since replacing Clint Hurdle (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/535/index.html) said. ''If you get the out at first base, it changes the complexion of the entire inning.''

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 06:24 AM

SEATTLE(AP) Chad Gaudin (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7199/index.html) 's brilliant performance was just inches from being derailed in the second inning.

He gave up three singles in a row to the heart of the Seattle Mariners (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mariners/index.html) ' lineup and walked .123 hitter Ronny Cedeno (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7527/index.html) to force in a run. Then Ichiro Suzuki (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6615/index.html) laced a ball up the right-field line that would have gone for extra bases and scored at least two more runs.
The one problem for Suzuki: First base umpire Randy Marsh called the ball foul.

''It was close,'' Padres manager Bud Black (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/42499/index.html) said. ''Yeah, it was close.''

Gaudin rebounded and forced Suzuki to ground out to end the inning and he went on to match a career high with 11 strikeouts in the San Diego Padres (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/padres/index.html) ' 9-7 win over the Seattle Mariners (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/mariners/index.html) on Tuesday night.

''That right there could have been the difference in the game,'' Gaudin said. ''He gets a base hit and you never know what can happen. Especially after walking in a run, I really made a conscious effort of making sure I made good pitches and minimized the damage and keep him off the bases. He's a great hitter and probably one of the hardest outs in the game and that was a big accomplishment and I think that's why the game stayed where it did.''

The Padres offense, bolstered by the return of Scott Hariston from the disabled list, gave Gaudin (3-6) plenty of run support early on. Hairston singled with one out in the fourth and Adrian Gonzalez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7054/index.html) homered to right off Mariners starter Garrett Olson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7940/index.html) (2-2), giving the Padres a 2-1 lead.

Olson gave up two more runs in the fifth. A single by Kevin Kouzmanoff (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7864/index.html) and a ground-rule double by Chase Headley (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8057/index.html) chased Olson from the game.

''I was struggling to get the ball down in the zone, especially after the first couple innings,'' Olson said. ''I had to battle to make pitches.''

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 12:35 PM

Rarely does a bullpen session between starts, one of baseball's most mundane exercises, create a full-blown buzz. It does, though, when it involves the staff ace who had to be removed from his last start in the second inning with left biceps tendinitis and is being counted on to pitch the Yankees (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/42) back into October. Because if CC Sabathia comes out of today's bullpen outing at Turner Field and isn't able to start Friday night against the Mets (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/53) in a Subway Series game at Citi Field, the Yankees (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/42) have a problem bigger than Sabathia's 6-foot-7, 300-pound body and his $161 million contract. Monday, Sabathia said he would go through the bullpen session yesterday. However, the Yankee's medical department wanted him to receive treatment -- something he didn't do Monday -- before throwing. And when Sabathia does work today, his load will be half of what it usually is.
New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06242009/sports/yankees/yanks_wait_anxiously_for_ccs_pen_session_175839.ht m)

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 12:38 PM

If the Reds (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/49) are dangling Bronson Arroyo (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/3471) as trade bait, general manager Walt Jocketty's not the one holding the rod. Jocketty said he's under no mandate to trim payroll. As the trade deadline gets closer, teams are usually classified as buyers or sellers. "I'd say right now we're buyers," he said. "We're looking for a hitter. If we did something, it would probably be to bring in a hitter. Getting Joey (Votto) back is going to help."
Cincinnati Enquirer (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090623/SPT04/306230056/1062/SPT/Reds%20in%20market%20for%20hitter)

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 12:39 PM

Luis Ayala wanted so badly to be the chief setup man for closer Joe Nathan (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/3372), Twins (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/41) manager Ron Gardenhire said Tuesday, that he asked to be traded once it became apparent that he couldn't have that role. But the detail that might have cinched Ayala's departure from Minnesota was his admitted motivation for wanting the job: a better contract next year.
St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12676409?nclick_check=1)

Goodfellas

06-24-2009, 12:40 PM

The broken record plays on for Kelvim Escobar (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/3273), who suffered yet another shoulder setback after playing catch Monday, one that has the right-hander less optimistic about his chances of pitching again this season. The Angels (http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/35) hope Escobar, whose surgically repaired right shoulder did not respond well to his June 6 return to the rotation, can bolster the bullpen the way he did in 2005, when he returned from elbow surgery and went 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA in nine September relief appearances.
Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-fyi24-2009jun24,0,3682622.story)

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:42 AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Philadelphia Phillies (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/phillies) closer Brad Lidge (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/6913) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Thursday.
Lidge has been sidelined with a sprained right knee since June 7.

"That's more than likely what we'll do," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before Wednesday night's game at Tampa Bay.

Lidge is 0-3 with a 7.27 ERA and 13 saves in 19 chances after going 48 for 48 last year, including the postseason. The right-hander threw a scoreless inning for Single-A Clearwater on Tuesday night.

Also, Manuel said left-hander Scott Eyre (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/5869), out with strained left calf since June 12, could be back in the next seven to 10 days.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:43 AM

MIAMI (AP) -- The Florida Marlins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/marlins) placed closer Matt Lindstrom (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7958) on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a sprained right elbow, one day after he blew a three-run lead.

Lindstrom, 29, did not hint at an injury after Tuesday's game, where he gave up four consecutive hits against Baltimore after getting the first two outs in the ninth. He was lifted and Brian Sanches gave up the tying hit. Florida won 7-6 in 12 innings.

"It's frustrating. I've been battling for the past three weeks ... a month," Lindstrom said. "It just got to the point where doing the little things to prepare to throw each day became difficult."

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:44 AM

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/indians) have traded minor league first baseman Michael Aubrey to the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles) for a player to be named.

Aubrey was a first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in 2003 but was slowed by injuries during his time with Cleveland. He was batting .292 with five homers and 29 RBIs in 57 games with Triple-A Columbus. The 27-year-old played in 15 games last season for the Indians, batting .200 with two homers.

The Indians also outrighted right-hander Greg Aquino (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7361) to the Clippers. He was designated for assignment June 19 after going 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 relief appearances.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:45 AM

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Reliever Jose Veras (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/7799) was traded by the New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees) to a Cleveland Indians (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/indians) team seeking to bolster an overworked and ineffective bullpen.

The Yankees received cash in Wednesday's deal.

The 28-year-old right-hander was 3-1 with a 5.96 ERA in 25 games before the Yankees designated him for assignment June 16.

Opposing hitters were batting .235 against him; right-handed hitters had a .180 average. Veras had allowed no runs in nine of his final 12 appearances.

He has an 8-4 career record with three saves and a 4.43 ERA.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:47 AM

Three decades after Billy Martin (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/46776/index.html) pulled the Detroit Tigers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/tigers/index.html) batting order out of a hat, Piniella said he's ready to try the same thing after his Chicago Cubs (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/cubs/index.html) stranded 13 runners in a 5-3 loss to the Tigers Wednesday night.

''I might leave the couple guys that are doing their jobs in their places and draw out the rest of them,'' he said. ''We couldn't be any worse.''

The Cubs have scored only seven runs in their last three games, leaving 31 runners on base in the process.

''We're getting hits, but we've got to start driving guys in,'' said Geovany Soto (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7662/index.html) , who had a solo homer for Chicago. ''We're all trying to make something happen, and it just isn't.''

Chicago's offensive woes, combined with homers from Gerald Laird (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7129/index.html) and Miguel Cabrera (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7163/index.html) , helped the Tigers post their sixth straight win.

''Thank god we're going to get them out of here before their bats get going, because they will,'' said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. ''We let them have way too many opportunities tonight.''

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:48 AM

PITTSBURGH(AP) Carl Pavano (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5945/index.html) didn't give his offense a chance to turn another big ninth inning during the Indians-Pirates interleague series into a potentially huge comeback.

Zach Duke (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7512/index.html) allowed one run in six innings, Adam LaRoche (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7253/index.html) drove in three runs and the Pirates didn't wait to get into Cleveland's slumping bullpen to start scoring, roughing up the struggling Pavano during a 10-6 victory over the Indians on Wednesday night.

The Pirates ended a five-game losing streak by scoring three runs in the second and six in the fourth. They finished with 14 hits against five pitchers, leading 10-1 before Cleveland scored five runs with two out in the ninth on Kelly Shoppach (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7493/index.html) 's two-run homer and Grady Sizemore (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7256/index.html) 's three-run shot against Steven Jackson (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8452/index.html) .

The night before, the Pirates trailed 5-0 going into the ninth, only to score four times and load the bases before LaRoche's fly ball out on a 3-2 pitch ended Cleveland's 5-4 victory. Cleveland's bullpen went into Wednesday's game with an 0-4 record and 8.78 ERA in its previous seven games.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:52 AM

WASHINGTON(AP) The ball was bouncing toward Nick Green (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6888/index.html) , and so was the tumbling sharp end of Elijah Dukes (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7916/index.html) ' broken bat.

The bat got there first. The Boston Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) shortstop deflected the barrel with his right forearm as the ball rolled between his legs. The play was ruled a hit and Green was unharmed, but the dicey second-inning play in Wednesday night's 6-4 win over the Washington Nationals (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/nationals/index.html) gave the debate over maple bats another solid piece of video evidence.

''It's scary to see a bat go flying that far,'' pitcher Jon Lester (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7790/index.html) said. ''I thought they did some research this offseason to try to figure that stuff out, but obviously we've still got a long ways to go. You've got to take cover. It's a tough play to make when you've got a bat head flying at you looking to take your head off.''

David Ortiz (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5909/index.html) and Jason Varitek (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5921/index.html) homered, with Ortiz collecting his 1,000th RBI, and Lester (6-6) allowed three runs and six hits over six innings for the Red Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/red_sox/index.html) , who again felt right at home in the nation's capital.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:54 AM

TORONTO(AP) One year later, Bronson Arroyo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6498/index.html) took another beating in Toronto.

Aaron Hill (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7483/index.html) , Adam Lind (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7859/index.html) and Vernon Wells (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6327/index.html) homered in a five-run first inning and the Toronto Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) again battered Arroyo, beating the Cincinnati Reds (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/reds/index.html) 8-2 Wednesday night.

Toronto won its third straight game. Cincinnati lost its fourth in a row and dropped two games under .500 for the first time this season. The Reds have lost nine of 12.

Arroyo (8-6) lost exactly one year after the Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays/index.html) tagged him for three homers and 10 earned runs in one-plus inning of a 14-1 romp. That rout made Arroyo only the sixth pitcher in major league history to allow 10 earned runs in an inning or less.

''This park hasn't been very kind to Bronson,'' Reds manager Dusty Baker (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/41/index.html) said. ''They jumped him right away.''

Arroyo, who had gone 19-9 since that defeat, wasn't much better this time around, allowing seven runs, six earned, on eight hits in 3 2-3 innings. He walked three and stuck out two and fell to 2-5 with a 6.82 ERA in nine career games against Toronto.

''I'd much rather face these guys at our park next time,'' Arroyo said. ''Both times I've been here, it's been a struggle. I've felt pretty decent both times but it just seems like they're swinging at everything on the plate and taking everything off the plate.''

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:55 AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.(AP) Pat Burrell (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6375/index.html) conceded he felt pretty good, though not necessarily because ending the longest homerless drought of his career helped Tampa Bay take down his old team.

The ex-Philadelphia slugger struck early with a two-run shot, then added a third RBI late as Matt Garza (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7823/index.html) and the Rays beat the Phillies 7-1 Wednesday night in the middle game of a rematch between the participants in last season's World Series.

Burrell contributed to the Phillies beating the Rays in five games last October, however he's off to a slow start that's included a month-long stay on the disabled list since signing with Tampa Bay over the winter.

''It's fun because I know the team and everything like that. But more importantly for me, it's just being back on the field and able to contribute and help us win,'' he said. ''I think that's No. 1.''

Garza (5-5) shut down Philadelphia's offense for his first win since May 16 to even the series that's been a box office bust at half-full Tropicana Field.

Attendance was announced as 18,862, down from the 19,608 that showed up for Tuesday's opener, won by the Phillies 10-1

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:56 AM

ATLANTA(AP) The New York Yankees (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/yankees/index.html) must have been wondering if they'd ever get a hit, much less score a run.

Then Joe Girardi (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/4296/index.html) got tossed, Francisco Cervelli (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8387/index.html) hit an unlikely home run and Alex Rodriguez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5275/index.html) finally came through.

Sparked by their manager's ejection, the Yankees broke out offensively to beat the Atlanta Braves (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/braves/index.html) 8-4 Wednesday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.

New York didn't even have a baserunner through the first five innings. But Cervelli hit his first career homer to break a 14-inning scoreless drought in Atlanta, and the slumping Rodriguez managed a two-run single that put the Yankees ahead to stay in the sixth. The Yankees had scored only 18 runs in their previous seven games, losing five.

''We have too many good hitters to stay in a slump,'' Girardi said.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 05:57 AM

NEW YORK(AP) Fernando Nieve (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7714/index.html) has spent nearly 10 years as a professional baseball player fighting for a spot on a pitching staff. So he knew exactly what to do when he saw two on-the-mend starters throwing in the Mets bullpen early Wednesday: ignore them.

Yet another smart decision by the career minor leaguer who is making quite an impression as a fill-in starter on a depleted staff.

Nieve pitched six scoreless innings to extend his improbable stint with New York and recent callup Nick Evans (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8258/index.html) hit a two-run homer in an 11-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

''I was thinking too much when I was with the Astros. The first time it was when (Roger) Clemens signed,'' said Nieve, claimed off waivers from Houston in March. ''Now, I just think about doing my job.''

And the job he's doing - 10 hits and three runs in just 18 2-3 innings as starter - might just earn Nieve (3-0) a spot in the rotation even after John Maine (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7386/index.html) and Oliver Perez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6945/index.html) return as soon as next week.

''He has to keep pitching for us,'' Mets manager Jerry Manuel (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/751/index.html) said.
''Shutout innings. Giving us an opportunity to win. He looks like his ball really gets on guys. ... We're going to keep pitching out there''
David Wright (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7382/index.html) tied a career best with four hits and Ryan Church (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7415/index.html) had three hits and two RBIs in his first start as the cleanup hitter this season. The Mets bounced back from a 4-0, two-hit loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday with their best offensive output of the season. Evans had two of the Mets' 16 hits

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 06:00 AM

MIAMI(AP) Ricky Nolasco (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7720/index.html) 's two-week stint in the minors appears to have helped him regain his 2008 form.

Hanley Ramirez (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7488/index.html) and Cody Ross (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7053/index.html) both drove in two runs and Nolasco had his fourth straight strong outing since being recalled from the minors as Florida beat the Baltimore Orioles (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/orioles/index.html) 5-2 on Wednesday night, the Marlins' fourth straight victory.

Ross had three hits, including two doubles, and Emilio Bonifacio (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8112/index.html) and Dan Uggla (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7692/index.html) both scored twice for Florida (37-36), which moved above .500 for the first time since May 12.

Nolasco (4-6) allowed two unearned runs and seven hits in seven innings. It was his fourth consecutive start surrendering two earned runs or less since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on June 7.

''We're seeing the Nolasco we saw last year,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Nolasco was 2-5 with a 9.07 ERA when he was optioned on May 23. That was after he went 15-8 with a 3.52 ERA last season.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 06:01 AM

MILWAUKEE(AP) Jason Kendall (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/5562/index.html) knew immediately his deep drive would hit the wall, not clear it. He had no idea he would score on the play anyway.

Kendall's two-out double in the eighth inning tied the game and the Milwaukee catcher hustled on two throwing errors to score, giving the Brewers an unlikely 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/twins/index.html) on Wednesday night.

''That's a long run,'' Kendall said.

Twins starter Nick Blackburn (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8120/index.html) (6-3) scattered nine hits through 7 2-3 innings and had a 3-2 lead when he allowed a soft single to J.J. Hardy, who said he was jammed and bruised his thumb on the swing. Kendall hit a ball off the wall in left-center and Brendan Harris (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7372/index.html) ' relay throw to the plate skipped past catcher Joe Mauer (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7062/index.html) .

Blackburn, backing up the play, threw to third trying to get Kendall, but the ball sailed away from Joe Crede (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6411/index.html) , allowing Kendall to score easily for Milwaukee's first lead.

''I knew I could get to third, and when you get to third anything can happen,'' Kendall said.

Blackburn slumped his shoulders in frustration as soon as he threw the ball.

''I should've just held onto it,'' he said. ''All kinds of things went through my mind right there. It was an annoying play all the way around.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 06:02 AM

HOUSTON(AP) Miguel Olivo (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7028/index.html) had some inside information when he went to the plate against Jeff Fulchino (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7800/index.html) in the 11th inning Wednesday night.

And he used it to his advantage.

Olivo homered on the first pitch from the former Royal, whom he caught last season, to give Kansas City a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/astros/index.html) .

''I know what he's got,'' Olivo said. ''But I was not expecting he'd throw me a fastball in that situation. He usually throws sliders. But I was glad to see it.''

Olivo's shot off Fulchino (2-3) ricocheted off the railing in center field and bounced back onto the field. It was his 11th homer and gave the Royals their second straight win after they broke a five-game losing streak with Tuesday's win in the series opener.

''It was a wild ride,'' Royals manager Trey Hillman said.
Joakim Soria (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7964/index.html) (2-0) blew a save chance but got the win. John Bale (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/6370/index.html) pitched a perfect 11th for his first save.

Goodfellas

06-25-2009, 06:03 AM

CHICAGO(AP) Josh Fields (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/7890/index.html) got what every baseball player who's been sitting on the bench craves - a chance to play.

Breaking out of a slump while making a rare appearance in the Chicago White Sox (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/white_sox/index.html) 's starting lineup, Fields responded by hitting two of his team's six homers Wednesday night in a 10-7 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/dodgers/index.html) .

''A much needed game,'' Fields said. ''We've been struggling at home and to come out of it and go off like that was good. Hopefully we didn't get rid of all of it and saved some for tomorrow.''

Before his breakout Wednesday night, Fields had made just once start since June 8 - four days after last year's first-round pick, Gordon Beckham (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/8422/index.html) , was called up and took over at third base.
Fields, who made just his third start of the season at first base Wednesday, has handled the demotion as well as he could, using the extra time to refine his swing with batting coach Greg Walker (http://www.si.com/baseball/mlb/players/2974/index.html) .

''The time off has given us a lot of time to do a lot of work,'' Fields said. ''Actually it's nice to get out there - and I wouldn't say produce -but see all the effects of the work you've been doing kind of come out.''