Red Sox 3B Lowell on DL with hip strain
June 30, 2009
BALTIMORE (AP)—Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell(notes) was placed on the15-day disabled list Tuesday with a strained right hip.
Lowell had fluid drained from his hip Monday in Boston, and received aninjection designed to the surgically repaired joint.
The move is retroactive to June 28; Lowell had played in only two ofBoston’s last nine games and returned to Boston following Sunday night’s game inAtlanta. The 35-year-old is batting .282 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs.
The Red Sox filled the void by recalling first baseman/outfielder JeffBailey(notes) from Triple-A Pawtucket. Bailey played earlier this season with Boston,batting .188 with three homers and nine RBIs in 23 games before being optionedto Pawtucket on May 31.
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All-Star vote: Youkilis passes Teixeira
June 30, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Boston’s Kevin Youkilis(notes) has moved back in front of the Yankees’Mark Teixeira(notes) with two days left in AL balloting for starters for the All-Stargame in St. Louis on July 14.
Youkilis had 1,915,303 votes in totals released Tuesday to Teixeira’s1,875,256. Last week, Teixeira was ahead by 35,632 ballots.
Texas second baseman Ian Kinsler’s(notes) lead over Boston’s Dustin Pedroia(notes) was cutto 6,830, down from 58,390 in totals released last week. Kinsler has 2,170,100votes to Pedroia’s 2,163,270.
Maintaining their leads were Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter(notes) (3,046,813),Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria(notes) (2,988,363), Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer(notes)(2,851,819) and outfielders Jason Bay(notes) of Boston (2,609,913), Ichiro(notes) Suzuki ofSeattle (1,802,826) and Josh Hamilton(notes) of Texas (1,635,781).
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Pirates’ Hinske to Yanks, Morgan to Nats
June 30, 2009
PITTSBURGH (AP)—The Pittsburgh Pirates, swapping outfielders at a rapid ratefor the second successive season, sent starting left fielder Njyer Morgan to theWashington Nationals in a four-player deal involving outfielder LastingsMilledge(notes) and also shipped backup Eric Hinske(notes) to the Yankees on Tuesday.
The Pirates, who have pushed to restock a thin farm system by makingnumerous trades over the last year, get Milledge and reliever Joel Hanrahan(notes) fromthe Nationals for the fleet Morgan and left-hander Sean Burnett(notes), a formerfirst-round draft pick.
Earlier, they sent 2002 AL Rookie of the Year Hinske to the Yankees forminor-league right-hander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer. The Yankeesalso get some cash to help pay Hinske’s $1.5 million salary.
Just as they did last season by dealing Jason Bay(notes) and Xavier Nady(notes), thePirates have traded two of their three starting outfielders before Aug. 1. Theysent former NL All-Star center fielder Nate McLouth(notes) to the Braves on June 4 forpitcher Charlie Morton(notes) and two other prospects.
Though rumored for several days, the Nationals trade is somewhat surprisingbecause the Pirates dealt Morgan—who turns 28 on Thursday—less than halfwaythrough a promising first season as a starter. He is hitting .277 with 2 homersand 27 RBIs, only four fewer than No. 3 hitter Freddy Sanchez(notes), and has 18steals, although he has been thrown out 10 times.
Milledge, a former top Mets prospect, has played in only seven games withWashington while part of the season rehabilitating a broken right ring fingerthat required surgery in May. He is expected to join Triple-A Indianapolisbefore being called up by Pittsburgh later this month.
Milledge, 23, has more power than Morgan—he has 25 homers in 897 careerat-bats—but has bothered frequently by injury problems that include a brokenright hand, sore foot and groin strain. He hit .268 with 14 homers, 61 RBIs and24 doubles in 138 games last season, earning him a spot on the cover of theNationals’ media guide this season.
Still, Milledge was a major disappointment to the Nationals, who dealt twostarters—catcher Brian Schneider(notes) and outfielder Ryan Church(notes)—to acquireMilledge from the Mets in November 2007.
The right-handed Hanrahan, 27, is 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA in 34 games—he wasdemoted from the closer’s job—and has a 5.30 ERA in 115 career games. Burnett,the Pirates’ top pick in 2000, is 1-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 38 games and haspitched in 96 games the last two seasons.
The 31-year-old Hinske hit .255 in 106 at-bats this season with ninedoubles, one homer and 11 RBIs, playing right field, first base and third base.He was 8 for 24 as a pinch hitter and has been disappointed by a lack of playingtime.
Through June 29 last year, he had 13 home runs en route to a 20-home runseason with the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays. He won the rookie award with Torontoin 2002, when he hit .279 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs, and was a member ofBoston’s World Series championship team in 2007.
The 23-year-old Erickson was 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts and 18relief appearances at Class A Charleston this season. Fryer, also 23, hit .250with 11 doubles, two homers, 24 RBIs and 11 steals for Class A Tampa afterleading the South Atlantic League with a .335 average last year for WestVirginia. He was obtained by the Yankees in February for left-hander ChaseWright(notes).
To fill Hinske’s roster spot, Pittsburgh purchased the contract of28-year-old outfielder Garrett Jones(notes) from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit.307 with 18 doubles, 12 homers, 48 RBIs and 14 steals.
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Yankees acquire Hinske from Pirates
June 30, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Former AL Rookie of the Year Eric Hinske(notes) was acquired by the NewYork Yankees from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday for a pair of minorleaguers.
Pittsburgh will receive right-hander Casey Erickson and outfielder EricFryer for the utilityman. In addition, the Pirates will give the Yankees cash.
The 31-year-old Hinske hit .255 in 106 at-bats this season with ninedoubles, one homer and 11 RBIs, playing right field, first base and third base.He was 8 for 24 as a pinch hitter and said to be unhappy with a lack of playingtime.
Through June 29 last year, he had 13 home runs en route to a 20-home runseason with the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays. He won the rookie award with Torontoin 2002, when he hit .279 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs, and was a member ofBoston’s World Series championship team in 2007.
The 23-year-old Erickson was 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts and 18relief appearances at Class A Charleston this season. Fryer, also 23, hit .250with 11 doubles, two homers, 24 RBIs and 11 steals for Class A Tampa afterleading the South Atlantic League with a .335 average last year for WestVirginia. He was obtained by the Yankees in February for left-hander ChaseWright(notes).
To fill Hinske’s roster spot, Pittsburgh said it will purchase the contractof 28-year-old outfielder Garrett Jones(notes) from Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit.307 with 18 doubles, 12 homers, 48 RBIs and 14 steals.
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Ethier’s 2-run HR in 13th lifts Dodgers
June 30, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Andre Ethier(notes) and the Los Angeles Dodgers are making a habitof fantastic finishes.
Ethier’s two-run homer in the 13th gave the Dodgers a 4-2 victory over theColorado Rockies on Monday night in the opener of a suddenly significant seriesbetween NL West teams.
It was Ethier’s fourth walk-off hit this season and the 14th time theDodgers have won in their final at-bat. They improved the best record in themajors to 49-28.
“I can’t believe we did it again,” said Ethier, who hit three home runslast Friday against Seattle. “I’m just enjoying it and having fun.”
The Dodgers left the potential go-ahead run in scoring position five timesin a span of six innings starting with the seventh. Juan Pierre(notes) stole a base inthree different innings during that stretch, but they couldn’t cash in untilEthier came through with the team’s ninth walk-off hit of the season.
“It was a taxing night,” manager Joe Torre said. “Juan Pierre tried to doit himself. He was just trying to will himself around the bases. We had someugly swings out there, but you have to give them credit. Their bullpen was asgood as our bullpen.”
Series at a Glance Colorado 2 LA Dodgers 4 Mon, Jun 29 – Final 13th Colorado at LA Dodgers Tue, Jun 30 – 10:10 pm ET Colorado at LA Dodgers Wed, Jul 1 – 3:10 pm ET
Rockies closer Huston Street(notes) wasn’t available to pitch, having saved allthree victories at Oakland last weekend, so manager Jim Tracy had to scramblefor the right combination out of the bullpen.
Joel Peralta(notes), the sixth Colorado pitcher, began his third inning of work bygiving up a single to Casey Blake(notes) in the 13th. The next batter was Ethier, whodrove the right-hander’s 39th pitch to right field on a 1-2 count for histeam-high 15th homer and 14th at home.
“Knowing that Huston was down and that they were trying to stay away fromhim, I just tried to go as long as I could to give the team a chance to win theballgame,” Peralta said. “It’s not something I haven’t done before. When Icame out after my second inning, they asked me how I felt and I told them I feltgood.”
Peralta (0-1) had made 11 straight scoreless appearances since May 25against the Dodgers at Coors Field, when he gave up an RBI single to RussellMartin(notes).
“To me, it was the perfect pitch to throw in that situation, becausenormally I get ground balls or a swing and a miss with it—like I did the firsttwo innings,” Peralta said. “The pitch was supposed to be better than that, alittle bit lower. But it was right in the middle of the plate, he got out infront of it and put a good swing on it.”
Los Angeles Dodgers' Andre… AP – Jun 30, 2:37 am EDT
James McDonald(notes) (2-1), the eighth Dodgers pitcher, struck out two in aperfect inning for the win. Los Angeles improved to 9-1 against Colorado thisseason. The Rockies remained the only team in the majors without an extra-inningvictory, dropping to 0-4.
The Dodgers had a 14-game lead over Colorado at one point, but it had shrunkto 7 1/2 going into Monday night thanks to a 20-3 Rockies surge.
Jeff Weaver(notes) came on in the 10th for the Dodgers, and Ryan Spilborghs(notes)—whohomered earlier against Randy Wolf(notes)—greeted him with a leadoff double beforeadvancing to third on Chris Iannetta’s(notes) single to left. But the right-handerstruck out the next three batters, including Dexter Fowler(notes) and Clint Barmes(notes) withrunners at second and third.
The Dodgers, coming off consecutive losses to Seattle in their finalinterleague series, are the only team in the majors that hasn’t lost three arow. The last time that happened was Aug. 29, when they dropped their eighthstraight before winning the next eight.
Wolf gave up two runs and four hits over six innings, including Spilborghs’sixth homer and first since June 4. The left-hander has allowed 15 home runs in102 1-3 innings.
Wolf tied it at 2 with a two-out, two-run single in the fifth after a balkby Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez(notes) advanced two runners.
Jimenez yielded five hits over seven innings. The right-hander lost hisprevious three starts against the Dodgers this season, allowing 17 earned runs,24 hits and 10 walks in 15 innings, after going 4-0 in his first six startsagainst them. His lifetime ERA against Los Angeles is 6.31.
NOTES: Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton(notes), pitching for the first time in sixdays, struck out the side in the ninth. … Wolf’s no-decision was his 11th in17 starts this season. … Wolf is 3 for 30 at the plate with five RBIs. …Blake turned Garrett Atkins’(notes) line drive to third base into an inning-endingdouble play in the fourth, diving to the bag to tag it just before Fowler couldscramble back.
Oswalt 2-hits Padres, retires final 18
June 30, 2009
SAN DIEGO (AP)—Roy Oswalt(notes) is rounding into form.
The Houston Astros’ ace dominated the San Diego Padres again, pitching atwo-hitter and retiring his final 18 batters in a 3-1 victory Monday night.
It was Oswalt’s 17th career complete game and second in three outings.
“I feel better than I did at the beginning of the season,” Oswalt said.“It seems like I’m throwing the ball better, the balls have a little more carryand hopefully I can carry on the rest of the year.”
Ivan Rodriguez(notes) homered and Oswalt (4-4) helped himself with two hits at theplate. The right-hander improved to 10-2 with a 2.68 ERA against the Padres in15 career appearances, including 13 starts. His .833 winning percentage is thehighest among active pitchers with at least 10 decisions against San Diego.
“He was dealing,” said Rodriguez, Oswalt’s batterymate. “He was throwingin and out, breaking balls, sliders in great locations.”
Series at a Glance Houston 3 San Diego 1 Mon, Jun 29 – Final Houston at San Diego Tue, Jun 30 – 10:05 pm ET Houston at San Diego Wed, Jul 1 – 10:05 pm ET
Rodriguez hit his seventh home run, a solo shot to center field off starterJosh Geer(notes) (1-3) that tied it 1-all in the fifth inning.
The Astros went ahead with two runs in the sixth on consecutive singles byMiguel Tejada(notes), Lance Berkman(notes) and Carlos Lee(notes), and a sacrifice fly by Geoff Blum(notes).
“That was a great performance by Roy,” Houston manager Cecil Cooper said.“With the exception of the fourth inning he was in total command. Even in thefourth I thought he really pitched well to get out of there with just one andprobably should have got out of there with none. He did a great job and was incommand all night long.”
The Padres pushed across their lone run in the fourth on a bases-loaded wildpitch by Oswalt. David Eckstein(notes) was hit by a pitch to start the inning and movedto third on a double by Scott Hairston(notes). Adrian Gonzalez(notes) was intentionally walkedto load the bases.
After Kevin Kouzmanoff(notes) popped up for the first out of the inning, Oswaltthrew a curve to Chase Headley(notes) that bounced in the dirt and got away fromRodriguez. Eckstein raced home from third.
Houston Astros starter Roy Osw… AP – Jun 30, 12:39 am EDT
Oswalt struck out Headley and Eliezer Alfonzo(notes) to get out of the inning, thennever allowed another runner.
“For them to come out with just one, it was a lot better than giving up ahit there or two or three runs,” Oswalt said. “The guys came back the nextinning. And after that I tried to take control and not get behind hitters andnot put any guys on base. And I was able to do that.”
Oswalt finished with eight strikeouts and two walks. The only hits he gaveup were doubles by Hairston and Everth Cabrera(notes).
“He was making the pitches he had to,” said Gonzalez, who walked twice butstruck out on a 3-2 pitch to end the game. “He made great pitches on my lastat-bat. He threw some great fastballs on the outside corner.”
Geer allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings. He struck out twoand walked one.
It was the second time this season that the Padres were held to two hits.Seattle’s Felix Hernandez(notes) also did it on June 16 at Petco Park.
NOTES: Cooper said his team will go with a six-man rotation until theAll-Star break. Left-hander Mike Hampton(notes) is scheduled to come off the disabledlist Tuesday night and pitch against the Padres. To make room for him on theroster, Houston optioned LHP Wesley Wright(notes) to Triple-A Round Rock. … TheAstros also placed right-hander Brandon Backe(notes) on waivers. … Padres ace JakePeavy(notes) will have his right ankle re-examined Tuesday by team doctors. Peavy has astrained tendon and has been on the DL since June 15. … Gonzalez leads themajors with 63 walks, including 32 in June. Gene Tenace holds the club recordfor a month with 34 in July 1977. … Oswalt hit Eckstein with a pitch for thesecond time this season and the third time in his career, tying for the mosttimes Oswalt has hit a batter.
Ramirez 1 for 3 in final rehab game
June 30, 2009
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP)—Ready or not, Manny Ramirez(notes) is headed back tothe big leagues.
The suspended slugger played what is expected to be his final minor leaguerehab game Monday night for Class-A Inland Empire, going 1 for 3 with twostrikeouts. He is eligible to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday nightin San Diego after serving a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drugpolicy.
The Dodgers originally planned to have Ramirez play another game with InlandEmpire on Tuesday morning. But on Monday night, team spokesman Josh Rawitch saidthe slugger’s stint in the minors was over.
In part because of the 11 a.m. start Tuesday, the Dodgers didn’t see anyneed to push Ramirez further.
“I don’t think one more game is going to make that much difference,” saidgeneral manager Ned Colletti, who was in San Bernardino to watch Ramirez playagainst Rancho Cucamonga.
Ramirez batted leadoff as the designated hitter and beat out an infieldsingle in his first at-bat Monday. For the second consecutive night, he struckout twice.
Once again, he declined to speak with reporters before the game.
“No thank you,” Ramirez said. “Go to YouTube.”
Ramirez came out after striking out in the fifth inning. In five minorleague appearances, all sellouts, he went 3 for 10 with a home run and two runsscored.
Colletti doesn’t expect Ramirez to be in peak form as soon as he returns.
“He’s probably going to be a little bit rusty,” Colletti said. “You can’texpect him to miss 50 games and come right back.
“But it takes less time for the best players.”
After consecutive games with temperatures above 100 degrees, Monday’s gamewas played in a relatively pleasant 85 degrees.
Ramirez led off the bottom of the first by smacking a hard-hit bouncer deepinto the hole between shortstop and third. Shortstop Andrew Romine made a nicestop and throw, but Ramirez just beat it.
He struck out swinging in his last two at-bats.
After Ramirez left the game, he was again escorted to his white SUV like arock star, surrounded by security officers as fans screamed his name.
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Angels top Texas for sixth straight win
June 30, 2009
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Sean O’Sullivan(notes) threw the pitch Marlon Byrd(notes) wasexpecting. And the Los Angeles Angels rookie starter still prevailed.
Byrd, who had already doubled and homered to help Texas to a one-run lead,was too far ahead of a changeup and grounded into a double play to end theRangers’ fifth inning.
“That was a big momentum shift,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
The first five Los Angeles hitters then reached to start the sixth,including back-to-back homers by Juan Rivera(notes) and Kendry Morales(notes), and the ALWest-leading Angles won their sixth straight game, 5-2 over the strugglingRangers on Monday night.
O’Sullivan (2-0) allowed consecutive homers to David Murphy(notes) and Byrd in thethird. The Rangers were still up 2-1 when Byrd came up again with two runnerson.
Byrd hit a grounder to third baseman Chone Figgins(notes), who started theinning-ending double play.
“I believe it changed the game. … I’ve got to get those runs in, at leastone,” Byrd said. “They came back out and do what they do. They just capitalizeon mistakes and they don’t make many mistakes.”
Series at a Glance LA Angels 5 Texas 2 Mon, Jun 29 – Final LA Angels at Texas Tue, Jun 30 – 8:05 pm ET LA Angels at Texas Wed, Jul 1 – 8:05 pm ET
After Vladimir Guerrero’s(notes) leadoff single in the sixth, Rivera and Moraleshomered to put Los Angeles up 4-2 against Vicente Padilla(notes) (6-4). Figgins drovein another run with a sacrifice fly.
The Rangers have lost eight of 11, a slide that cost them the division leadthey had held since May 5—by 5 1/2 games four weeks ago. Los Angeles, which haswon 13 of 16 overall, took over first place Saturday and now leads by 2 1/2 games.
Brian Fuentes(notes) worked the ninth for his major league-best 22nd save in 25chances.
After being swept in a three-game series at Texas in mid-May, the Angelswere 4 1/2 games back. But that was when they were still without Guerrero, and theRangers were still hitting.
“Over the last month, we’ve been playing better defense, our pitchers havebeen getting the job done and timely hitting,” Torii Hunter(notes) said. “We’re onall cylinders right now.”
Texas is 10-15 in June and has scored two runs or less in 10 of those games.The Rangers had one hit in a 2-0 loss to San Diego on Sunday night, the secondtime they have been one-hit this season.
Los Angeles Angels' Vladim… AP – Jun 29, 10:02 pm EDT
The Rangers doubled that total in the first against the Angels with hitsfrom Michael Young(notes) and Byrd, but didn’t capitalize. Nelson Cruz(notes) wasintentionally walked to load the bases with two outs and Julio Borbon struck outin his first major league at-bat hours after being called up.
Murphy and Byrd hit 400-foot homers with two outs in the third. After Murphyhomered to straightaway center, Byrd hobbled out of the batter’s box when hefouled a pitch off his left knee. Byrd got a visit from manager Ron Washingtonand a team trainer before stepping back in and hitting the next pitch into theleft-center seats.
“I didn’t feel like I was doing my job to keep our team in it,” O’Sullivansaid. “I was a little frustrated with that, and really had to bear down.”
O’Sullivan, in his third major league start since coming up when ErvinSantana(notes) went on the disabled list for the second time this season, struck outfive and walked two. The right-hander has allowed six runs over 18 innings (3.00ERA) and could remain in the rotation even when Santana, an All-Star lastseason, returns to the rotation.
“He’s a young kid who pitched like a vet,” Scioscia said.
Texas Rangers' Julio Borbo… AP – Jun 29, 10:00 pm EDT
Santana, out since June 12 with an inflamed right triceps, had no problemsduring a 45-pitch rehab assignment Sunday night in the Arizona Summer League.Scioscia said the right-hander will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and couldreturn as early as Friday.
Padilla gave up five runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings, with fivestrikeouts and two walks. The right-hander had allowed only six runs over 19innings in his previous three home starts.
NOTES: Rangers CF Josh Hamilton(notes), recovering from abdominal surgery, was 1for 4 in a rehab assignment at Double-A Frisco. He had an RBI single, a stolenbase and a run scored. … Guerrero, who missed 35 games with a torn pectoralmuscle, is closer to returning to the outfield. He is making longer throws fromthe outfield during pregame drills, and made some before Monday’s game. He hasbeen limited to DH duties since being activated May 25. … The Rangers agreedto contract terms with 3B Tommy Mendonca from Fresno State, their second-rounddraft pick earlier this month. … Morales has extra-base hits in 11 of his last13 starts.
Brewers drop slumping Mets under .500
June 30, 2009
MILWAUKEE (AP)—Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum had recently told CaseyMcGehee(notes) that there’s nothing like the emotional swings they face in baseball.McGehee faced it all in the same inning.
“I experienced them both pretty quick,” McGehee said. “It’s ironic peoplestart talking about stuff and it happens right away.”
McGehee hit his first career grand slam moments after committing a costlygaffe in the sixth inning and then took out his frustrations on his helmet inthe Milwaukee Brewers’ 10-6 win over the reeling New York Mets on Monday night.
“Me and my helmet are going to have to have a sitdown apology sessionlater,” he joked. “I might have hurt its feelings.”
J.J. Hardy(notes) also went 4 for 4 with a homer and was on base all five times forthe NL Central leading Brewers, who have won three of four. Hardy also finallygot McGehee to smile a few innings after he dropped a routine pop up.
“I think it even took him a couple of innings to realize what he had donebecause he was still pretty upset about the dropped pop up,” Hardy said. “Wewere all really excited for him.”
Series at a Glance NY Mets 6 Milwaukee 10 Mon, Jun 29 – Final NY Mets at Milwaukee Tue, Jun 30 – 8:05 pm ET NY Mets at Milwaukee Wed, Jul 1 – 2:05 pm ET
The Mets have lost four straight, falling under .500 (37-38) for the firsttime since May 5, and not even the previously unflappable Fernando Nieve(notes) (3-1)could help. He gave up 11 hits and three runs before being pulled after 3 1-3innings.
“We’re a below average team. Period,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.
McGehee nearly gave New York a way out after giving the Mets life withstarter Braden Looper(notes) (6-4) cruising and Milwaukee leading 3-0.
With two outs and a man on first in the sixth inning, the Brewers thirdbaseman dropped Fernando Martinez’s(notes) routine fly ball when it hit the heel of hisglove and dropped harmlessly to the ground , putting runners on the corners.
“You play long enough you’re going to have one of those, ‘What are youdoing moments?”’ McGehee said. “(I) more felt terrible for Looper in thatbecause he was throwing the ball so well. … I felt like I took the momentum hehad going and kind of put it to a halt.”
Brian Schneider(notes) hit the next pitch off the wall for a two-run double to cutit to 3-2, but Looper got out of the jam.
New York Mets manager Jerry Ma… AP – Jun 29, 10:09 pm EDT
In the bottom of the inning, Hardy had his third extra base hit whenMartinez tried to make a diving catch on a liner to put men on second and thirdwith one out.
After Ryan Braun popped out and Prince Fielder(notes) was intentionally walked,McGehee drove a high fastball from reliever Brian Stokes(notes) into the Brewersbullpen in left center field to make it 7-2.
“I’m sure he went up there to try and redeem himself,” Stokes said.
McGehee, who has hit all five of his career homers in his last 13 games,returned to the dugout, covered his mouth and shouted into his helmet beforetossing it aside. Then, he acknowledged a curtain call from the 39,872 fans atMiller Park who booed him coming off the field minutes before.
“Prince had to tell me to get out there and I didn’t even know what hesaid. I didn’t really know what was going on,” McGehee said. “If somebodywould have told me this time last year I’d have 40,000 people calling me out ofa dugout for a curtain call, I would’ve told you you were lying.”
New York Mets center fielder F… AP – Jun 29, 9:28 pm EDT
That’s because McGehee was in the Cubs organization, stuck at Triple-A Iowabehind slugger Aramis Ramirez(notes) before being placed on waivers in the offseason.The Brewers scooped him up because of his ability to play second, third and bean emergency catcher, and McGehee earned his way on the opening day roster withan impressive spring.
The Brewers tacked on three runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take a10-3 lead, but the Mets forced the Brewers to use closer Trevor Hoffman(notes) with oneout in the ninth after five straight hits.
Gary Sheffield(notes), who had an RBI single in the seventh, hit a two-run homer inthe ninth off reliever Carlos Villanueva(notes) to make it 10-6 moments after DavidWright’s(notes) RBI double, and Villanueva allowed consecutive singles to Ryan Church(notes)and Martinez before being pulled for Hoffman.
The all-time saves leader forced Schneider to hit into a double play on hisfirst pitch for his 18th save in 19 tries.
NOTES: Mets CF Carlos Beltran(notes) (right knee) was in Vail, Colo. getting asecond opinion on his bone bruise from noted knee specialist Dr. RichardSteadman and will be re-evaluated later this week. … Mets RF Ryan Church (ill)returned to the lineup and went 4-for-5.
Papelbon ties Red Sox saves record
June 30, 2009
BALTIMORE (AP)—It’s about as close as it gets to a sure thing in baseball: JonLester(notes) and Jonathan Papelbon(notes) pitching for Boston against the Baltimore Orioles.
Lester threw seven shutout innings, Papelbon earned a milestone save and theRed Sox extended their dominance of the Orioles with a 4-0 victory Monday night.
Lester is 8-0 with a 2.18 ERA against Baltimore in 10 career starts. Theonly other pitcher to win his first eight decisions against the Orioles was ToddStottlemyre (1988-93).
“Maybe their lineup just fits me for some reason, I don’t know,” Lestersaid. “I don’t pitch any different against them than against any other team,but I’m just fortunate to get some runs early on and that’s the biggest thing.”
Boston made it easy for Lester by building a 4-0 lead in the fourth inningagainst rookie Jason Berken(notes) (1-5)
Papelbon got the final out with two on to earn his 132nd career save, tyingBob Stanley for the most in Red Sox history. Papelbon has 19 saves this seasonin 20 opportunities.
Series at a Glance Boston 4 Baltimore 0 Mon, Jun 29 – Final Boston at Baltimore Tue, Jun 30 – 7:05 pm ET Boston at Baltimore Wed, Jul 1 – 1:35 pm ET
Lifetime against Baltimore, he’s 20 for 20 with a 0.39 ERA.
Throw in the fact that Boston has won eight straight against the Orioles—including five this season—and it’s no wonder the Red Sox ended the night bycelebrating their seventh win in nine games.
Lester (7-6) gave up five hits, struck out eight and walked none. He allowedonly one runner past first base, but even then the left-hander proved to beoverpowering: In the fifth inning, despite yielding a pair of two-out singles,he struck out the side.
Brian Roberts(notes) was the last out of the inning, and he threw his bat aside indisgust after being called out by umpire Jerry Layne.
“Jon Lester’s pitching a great game, and tip your cap to him. But thestrike zone was definitely in his favor tonight. And that’s the way it was. Thatwas established early,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “It was a bigstrike zone and he took advantage of it. I can
