Floyd pitches White Sox back to .500
June 30, 2009
CLEVELAND (AP)—Gavin Floyd(notes) made 95 pitches, some good ones, some bad ones.However, the strike he threw to first mattered most.
Floyd shut out Cleveland on five singles over 7 2-3 innings and made a smartdefensive play to escape a bases-loaded jam in the seventh as the surgingChicago White Sox climbed back to .500 with a 6-3 win Monday night over thefree-falling Indians, who lost for the 11th time in 13 games.
Floyd (6-5), who started the season by losing four of his first sixdecisions, improved to 3-0 in June, 4-1 since May 22 and has a 1.39 ERA in hislast eight starts. The right-hander walked two, struck out five and made thegame’s biggest defensive play while protecting a 2-0 lead.
“Outstanding,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said of Floyd. “That’s apretty good hitting ballclub and to shut them down was a tremendous job. Thelast three or four starts he has been great.”
In the seventh, the Indians loaded the bases off Floyd on a singlesandwiched by two walks. Ryan Garko(notes) then hit a tapper toward first that dancedalong the white-chalk line. Floyd hustled off the mound, scooped it and fired tofirst in time to retire Garko.
Series at a Glance Chi White Sox 6 Cleveland 3 Mon, Jun 29 – Final Chi White Sox at Cleveland Tue, Jun 30 – 7:05 pm ET Chi White Sox at Cleveland Wed, Jul 1 – 7:05 pm ET
However, plate umpire Scott Barry, recently called up from the minors, ruledit was foul, prompting Guillen to come out and complain. The umpiring crew thenmet for several moments near first before calling Garko out. That set offIndians manager Eric Wedge, who stormed from the dugout and was quickly ejectedby crew chief Tom Hallion.
“They’re supposed to huddle if they’ve got a question about it,” anirritated Wedge said. “I thought the home plate umpire did his job. He had agood view of it, made the call and they reversed it. They shouldn’t havereversed it. Bases loaded, 2-0 game, seventh inning … ridiculous.”
Floyd wasn’t certain what to do when he first went after the ball. He wasworried if he let Garko get too far past him, he wold have a tougher throw.
“I knew I had to pick it up and threw it,” he said. “I took the gamble,picked it up and threw him out. I thought it was on the line. It all workedout.”
Garko was more upset with his swing than the controversial call.
“I’m sure they got it right, whatever,” he said. “Those guys usually getit right. You don’t want to put it in the umpires’ hands. That’s not a very goodswing in that spot. I would just really like to come through right there and itjust didn’t go my way.”
Floyd was lifted in the eighth by Guillen with a runner on and GradySizemore(notes) coming up. Thornton came on and got Sizemore to swing at his firstpitch and lift a harmless fly out to left.
Jermaine Dye(notes) and Gordon Beckham(notes) had RBI singles off Carl Pavano(notes) (6-7) as theWhite Sox won for the 10th time in 14 games.
The last-place Indians have dropped three straight and only avoided theirfifth shutout with a three-run ninth as Shin Soo-Choo homered off Matt Thornton(notes)and Garko hit a two-run, two-out shot off Octavio Dotel(notes).
Newly acquired reliever Chris Perez(notes) melted down in his Cleveland debut. Hehit the first two batters he faced, walked the bases loaded and then clearedthem as Chicago scored four runs in the ninth on a fielder’s choice, an RBIdouble, wild pitch and run-scoring single.
“Obviously, not the best first impression,” said Perez, who also failed tocover first on a potential double play. “Hopefully, the next time will bebetter. I had a mental lapse and it snowballed from there.”
The White Sox got a scare in the ninth when shortstop Alexei Ramirez(notes) wasbeaned by Perez. Ramirez dropped after being struck on the helmet by theright-hander’s fastball. Ramirez was checked by a White Sox trainer before beingassisted from the field.
Perez then hit Dye, not exactly the production the Indians were looking forafter trading third baseman Mark DeRosa(notes) to St. Louis on Saturday.
Ramirez gave a thumbs up that he was fine and expects to play Tuesday.Guillen said Dye is also OK.
The White Sox jumped on Pavano for a run in the first on Dye’s RBI singleand made it 2-0 in the second on Beckham’s run-scoring single.
“It took me a little while to find it and gave them those couple of runs,”Pavano said. “That was enough for Gavin. You’ve got to tip your hat sometimesto the opposing pitcher. He handled a tough lineup and made it look easy.”
NOTES: The Indians are 2-28 when scoring three or fewer runs. … For thefirst time in six games, the White Sox did not make an error. They came in on asloppy slide, having made 17 errors in their previous 11 games. … White Sox DHJim Thome(notes) earned his 1,599th walk in the ninth, tying him with Hall of FamerStan Musial for 12th place on the career list.
Rays beat Halladay, win sixth straight
June 30, 2009
TORONTO (AP)—In his first game back from the disabled list, Toronto ace RoyHalladay(notes) was outpitched by a rookie.
Carl Crawford(notes) and Pat Burrell(notes) homered, Jeff Niemann(notes) pitched 7 1-3 stronginnings and the Tampa Bays Rays ruined Halladay’s return with their sixthstraight victory, 4-1 over the Blue Jays on Monday night.
“You’ve got to pitch well to beat Doc,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.“That’s what we did and that’s why we came out on top.”
Halladay (10-2) came in having won his past seven decisions, the longeststreak in the majors, but lost for the first time since April 21, against Texas.The Blue Jays have lost three straight.
He was starting for the first time since June 12, against Florida, when heleft two pitches into the fourth inning with a sore groin that landed him on thedisabled list. Halladay allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. Theright-hander, who walked two and struck out seven, failed to pitch at leastseven innings for only the second time in 15 starts.
Series at a Glance Tampa Bay 4 Toronto 1 Mon, Jun 29 – Final Tampa Bay at Toronto Tue, Jun 30 – 7:07 pm ET Tampa Bay at Toronto Wed, Jul 1 – 1:07 pm ET
“Thank God he’s been out for two weeks because they’d have left him inlonger,” Maddon said. “He would have probably finished that thing off.”
Niemann (7-4) won his third straight decision and is unbeaten in five startsin June. He allowed one run and four hits, walked two and struck out one.
“He had a lot of late life on his pitches,” Maddon said. “I saw a lot oflate life on the fastball and some really good depth on the curveball.”
Randy Choate(notes) got the last out for his fourth save in as many chances.
The long layoff seemed to affect Halladay’s control and limited him to 88pitches, 57 strikes.
“It wasn’t too bad,” Halladay said. “Location there in the second andthird inning was kind of hit and miss a little bit. For the most part I feltpretty good with everything.”
Crawford didn’t notice too much of a drop off with Halladay.
“He didn’t look bad,” Crawford said. “He still looked kind of sharp, hewas hitting his spots. He didn’t look terrible. It wasn’t like you saw a bigdifference. He probably wasn’t at his best but it wasn’t a big difference.”
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Ma… AP – Jun 29, 10:32 pm EDT
The Rays touched Halladay for two runs in the third. B.J. Upton(notes) drew aleadoff walk, stole second and went to third when catcher Rod Barajas’(notes) throwsailed into center field. On the next pitch, Crawford drilled a curveball intothe second deck in right, his seventh homer.
“We’re on a good roll right now,” Crawford said. “Hopefully we can keepit up. We’re still climbing back up the standings. We’re just trying to get intoa groove and stay there.”
Crawford’s homer helped the 26-year-old Niemann breathe a little easier.
“Against a guy like Halladay, to get the early run kind of takes thepressure of you that much more,” the right-hander said. “You just go out thereand pitch and not really try to be so fine with things.”
Halladay responded to Crawford’s homer by retiring 11 of the final 12batters he faced. The only one who reached was Gabe Gross(notes), who was thrown outtrying to stretch a single into a double in the fourth.
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Dioner … AP – Jun 29, 10:30 pm EDT
Tampa Bay tacked on two runs in the seventh against right-hander JeremyAccardo(notes). Burrell led off with a homer to left, his third, and Upton hit asacrifice fly.
The Rays have hit 38 homers this month, matching a team record set twicepreviously. They also hit 38 in Aug. 2005 and Aug. 2008.
The Blue Jays chased Niemann in the eighth when Jose Bautista(notes) led off with awalk, took second on a groundout and scored on a double by Barajas.
Blue Jays third baseman Scott Rolen(notes) extended his hitting streak to acareer-high 17 games with a leadoff double in the second.
The Rays stole three bases, boosting their major league-leading total to121, but were caught stealing twice.
NOTES: Toronto OF Alex Rios(notes), who is 2 for 21 in his past six games, got theday off. … Barajas played for the first time since leaving in the secondinning of Friday’s game with a strained right hamstring. His throwing error inthe third was Toronto’s first in 11 games. … Tampa Bay RF/2B Ben Zobrist(notes), whois in a 6-for-40 slump, was held out of the starting lineup but came on as adefensive replacement in the ninth.
Harden, Theriot lead Cubs by Pirates 3-1
June 30, 2009
PITTSBURGH (AP)—One good week is all that’s needed to move near the top of thecrowded NL Central. Or, maybe for the Chicago Cubs, one good series inPittsburgh.
Rich Harden(notes) repeatedly worked out of trouble to win for the first time inmore than six weeks, Ryan Theriot(notes) homered and the Cubs maintained their masteryof the Pirates by winning 3-1 on Monday night.
The Cubs started 1-6 on a 10-game trip that included manager Lou Piniella’srun-in with Milton Bradley(notes) and were 14-24 on the road before winning theireighth in their last 10 in Pittsburgh. They have won 20 of their last 25 gameshere, with two more remaining in this series.
Now that interleague play is over except for one makeup game, the Cubs arelooking to make a move in the division, and are 3 1/2 games behind first-placeMilwaukee.
They are 18-17 against the NL Central, while the last-place Pirates—despite trailing fourth-place Chicago by only 2 1/2 games—are 10-22.
“We need to try to string some wins together and take a shot at it,”Theriot said. “I really feel we’re right where we want to be, with all theinjuries we’ve had and the juggling of the lineup. We’re right there in strikingdistance.”
Series at a Glance Chi Cubs 3 Pittsburgh 1 Mon, Jun 29 – Final Chi Cubs at Pittsburgh Tue, Jun 30 – 7:05 pm ET Chi Cubs at Pittsburgh Wed, Jul 1 – 7:05 pm ET
The Pirates would be, too, if only they were modestly better in thedivision.
“The division is how you win the division,” shortstop Jack Wilson(notes) said.“If you don’t beat the teams in your division, you’re not going to goanywhere.”
Still, Wilson won’t concede the Pirates—despite their 16 consecutivelosing seasons—can’t contend this season.
“How many of those games are like this?” he said. “It’s not like we’regetting blown out. You look at other teams that are in last place in theirdivision, they’re much less talented than the top teams. But I don’t think we’reless talented than the Cardinals or the Brewers.”
The Pirates had numerous chances to get to Harden (5-4), who was 0-3 with a5.64 ERA in four starts since last winning May 12, but never did.
They stranded a combined five runners during the fifth and sixth innings,and No. 3 hitter Freddy Sanchez(notes) grounded into a double play with two on and oneout in the seventh.
Chicago Cubs closer Kevin Greg… AP – Jun 29, 9:50 pm EDT
Sanchez, hitless in four at-bats, also grounded out to Harden with the basesloaded and a run in following Andy LaRoche’s(notes) double in the fifth. An inninglater, Harden struck out Jason Jaramillo(notes) and Wilson after one-out singles byBrandon Moss(notes) and Andy LaRoche.
“He really kept us off balance,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “Hethrew a couple of nice breaking pitches and made some really big pitches when heneeded to.”
Harden, facing Pittsburgh for the first time, gave up nine hits—eightsingles—and walked a batter, but struck out nine. The Pirates were 1 for 8with runners in scoring position.
“Interesting game,” Harden said. “I don’t think I’ve given up so manysingles in one game … but I was able to make some pitches.”
Kevin Gregg(notes) pitched the ninth for his 13th save in 16 opportunities.
Zach Duke(notes) (8-6) couldn’t extend his five-game home winning streak, giving upseven hits and three runs in seven innings. However, the Pirates have scoredonly five runs with the left-hander on the mound during his six losses.
Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Sori… AP – Jun 29, 9:48 pm EDT
The Cubs, 6-0 losers to the White Sox on Sunday, took a 1-0 lead on AndresBlanco’s(notes) two-out RBI single in the second. Theriot hit his seventh homer onebatter into the third, and Bradley’s run-scoring double made it 3-0 in thefourth.
Bradley, who will sit down the next two days to work with hitting coach VonJoshua on improving his .195 average as a left-handed hitter, went 2 for 4 tobump his average to .238. He was 1 for 16 with nine strikeouts in his previoussix games.
NOTES: The Cubs are 3-1 against Pittsburgh. … Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez(notes)(dislocated shoulder) is taking batting practice in PNC Park before going on arehabilitation assignment Thursday. … Cubs RHP Angel Guzman(notes) (triceps) mightstart a rehab assignment the same day. … The Pirates are 13-13 this month.They must win Tuesday for their first winning June since 1996 (15-12). … TheCubs don’t see many crowds like this: 15,400. … Pirates C Ryan Doumit(notes) (brokenwrist) starts a rehabilitation assignment at Bradenton on Tuesday.
Lincecum 2-hits Cards as Giants win 10-0
June 29, 2009
ST. LOUIS (AP)—Tim Lincecum(notes) looked ready for a return trip to Busch Stadium intwo weeks for the All-Star game. The St. Louis Cardinals could not touch him.
Lincecum threw a two-hitter for his third complete game of the season, allin his last four starts, in the San Francisco Giants’ 10-0 rout Monday night.Travis Ishikawa’s(notes) three-run homer for a 4-0 lead in the fourth was way more thanthe right-hander needed .
“The way Timmy’s been pitching lately, after the first run I felt prettycomfortable,” Ishikawa said.
Lincecum (8-2) is tied with teammate Matt Cain(notes) for the league lead incomplete games and his 2.37 ERA is second in the NL after mastering thepunchless Cardinals with his third career shutout and fifth career completegame. He needed only 95 pitches to match his career low complete game andfinished off the Cardinals in a snappy 2 hours, 6 minutes.
He faced only two three-ball counts all night and didn’t walk a batter forthe second time in three starts.
Series at a Glance San Francisco 10 St. Louis 0 Mon, Jun 29 – Final San Francisco at St. Louis Tue, Jun 30 – 8:15 pm ET San Francisco at St. Louis Wed, Jul 1 – 8:15 pm ET
“Their tendencies against me were they don’t get too deep in the count,”Lincecum said. “Guys were swinging early and often, so I was just trying togive them pitches they couldn’t hit out of the park.”
Make that out of the infield. Giants outfielders handled only seven chances.
“He’s been on this roll for I don’t know how many starts,” manager BruceBochy said. “Tonight he did say it was one of his best games. I don’t think hehad a stressful inning.”
The Cardinals were not arguing that point.
“He worked us over,” manager Tony La Russa said. “Everything looks thesame until it gets to the plate.”
Brad Thompson(notes) (2-4) took the loss for the Cardinals, who have lost five ofsix while scoring three or fewer runs in all of the setbacks.
Lincecum retired the first 14 in order, the early perfection ending whenRick Ankiel(notes) lofted a soft broken-bat single to center with two outs in thefifth, then mowed down five more before Albert Pujols(notes) doubled off the left-fieldwall with one out in the seventh. Then, the last eight Cardinals went quietly.
“I think he smells that,” catcher Bengie Molina(notes) said. “He’s close to theend and he wants to finish the game.”
Pujols was the only runner to reach scoring position for the Cardinals, whohave totaled two runs in two games since acquiring Mark DeRosa(notes) from the Indians.
Edgar Renteria’s(notes) three-run double capped a five-run seventh as the Giantsbatted around against rookie Clayton Mortensen, whose contract was purchasedfrom Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day and made his major league debut. Onlyone of the runs was earned because of a throwing error by second baseman SkipSchumaker(notes).
Juan Uribe(notes) added his second homer of the season, and third in 30 careerat-bats at 4-year-old Busch Stadium, leading off the eighth off Mortensen.
Lincecum’s eight strikeouts gave him the major league lead with 132 in 114innings, and his 2.37 ERA is second in the NL. He’s been nearly perfect in fourstarts against the Cardinals, winning all of them with a 1.61 ERA.
Over his last eight starts, he’s 5-1 with a 1.27 ERA. He got an extra day ofrest for this start and is 10-2 under that scenario.
Molina’s RBI single off Thompson in the first snapped an 0-for-12 slump, andNate Schierholtz(notes) and Renteria singled with one out in the fourth ahead ofIshikawa’s fifth homer of the season for a 4-0 cushion. Uribe’s homer reachedBig Mac Land in the third deck above the left-field wall.
Thompson, who has faltered a bit in his bid to stay in the rotation whenKyle Lohse(notes) returns from a forearm strain, allowed four runs in six innings. Hetried not to let pitching against Lincecum bother him.
“You still have to go out there and throw your game,” Thompson said. “Youcan’t worry about what he’s doing. I see him out there, but I’m not worriedabout his line, what he’s up to.”
The Giants lead the majors with nine shutouts, including two straightcounting a 7-0 win at Milwaukee on Sunday.
NOTES: Lincecum threw his first career two-hitter Sept. 18, 2008, atArizona. … Giants manager Bruce Bochy said rookie Ryan Sadowski(notes), who workedsix scoreless innings against the Brewers for his first career victory Sunday,earned a spot in the rotation. Sadowski replaced Jonathan Sanchez(notes). … Mortensenis the eighth Cardinals player to make his major league debut this season, and14th rookie. … The Giants have homered in five straight games, totaling eight.… The Giants haven’t committed an error in a season-high nine games.
Manny drops to 7th in NL All-Star voting
June 29, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Manny Ramirez(notes) dropped one spot to seventh place in All-Starvoting among NL outfielders with four days remaining in balloting for starters.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star, whose 50-game drug suspension is slated to endFriday, had 1,343,011 votes and trailed Philadelphia’s Raul Ibanez(notes) (2,970,139),Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (2,654.061), the Mets’ Carlos Beltran(notes) (2,085,028), theCubs’ Alfonso Soriano(notes) (1,916,598), Philadelphia’s Shane Victorino(notes) (1,642,248)and Milwaukee’s Mike Cameron(notes) (1,345,763). The top three outfielders are electedto start the July 14 game at St. Louis.
Others leading their positions in totals announced Monday were St. Louisfirst baseman Albert Pujols(notes) (3,602,765), Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley(notes)(3,510,082), Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez(notes) (2,026,174), Mets third basemanDavid Wright(notes) (2,049,487) and St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina(notes) (1,846,629).
Balloting runs through Thursday, and starters and reserves for both leagueswill be announced Sunday.
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Padres’ Gaudin 1-hits Texas for 8 in win
June 29, 2009
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—Chad Gaudin(notes) is suddenly pitching like an ace for abattered San Diego pitching staff that can use the boost.
Gaudin allowed one hit over eight scoreless innings, the first opposingpitcher to do that at Rangers Ballpark, and the Padres beat the stumbling TexasRangers 2-0 on Sunday night to win their first series in a month.
“I’ve seen a lot of games in this park from that dugout,” said Padresmanager Bud Black, the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels seven seasonsbefore that. “That was one of the best-pitched games I’ve seen.”
After David Murphy(notes) drew a one-out walk in the first and Michael Young(notes)followed with a single, Gaudin retired 23 of the last 25 batters he faced—including the last 13. Murphy was the only Texas runner to touch second base.
“I’ve seen a bunch of balls go out of here,” Gaudin said. “I tried tostay aggressive, let them know you’re going to attack the zone. That makes ittough for them because they know you’re not going to nibble, not going to letthem wait for one pitch.”
Series at a Glance San Diego 2 Texas 12 Fri, Jun 26 – Final San Diego 7 Texas 3 Sat, Jun 27 – Final San Diego 2 Texas 0 Sun, Jun 28 – Final
Only two pitchers can match what Gaudin did in Texas, both for the hometeam.
Kenny Rogers(notes) threw a perfect game at home for the Rangers in 1994, theirfirst year in the stadium, and Rick Helling(notes) allowed one hit over eight scorelessinnings in 1997.
Gaudin, with his fifth team in seven years after being released by theChicago Cubs the first week of this season, struck out nine and walked two.
“He was a different pitcher than I’ve seen in the past,” Murphy said. “Helocated his fastball a lot better, and he was using his slider more, and moreeffectively.”
Heath Bell(notes) worked the ninth for his National League-best 21st save, matchingBrian Fuentes(notes) of the Los Angeles Angels for the major league lead. Bell walkedYoung before Andruw Jones(notes) grounded into a game-ending double play.
Scott Hairston(notes) was 2 for 21 since returning from the disabled list until hissolo homer in the fourth off rookie Tommy Hunter(notes) (0-1). Two innings later,Hairston had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead, then added a double after that tofinish 3 for 4 and push his batting average to .310.
San Diego Padres relief pitche… AP – Jun 28, 11:34 pm EDT
With six right-handers on the disabled list, including starters Jake Peavy(notes)and Chris Young, Gaudin led the Padres to their first series victory sincetaking two of three from Arizona on May 25-27.
Gaudin threw 101 pitches in a game that started when it was 99 degrees. Itwas still in the mid-90s when he threw his last pitch to end the eighth anddidn’t come back out.
“It was a pretty special game,” Black said. “But there were a number offactors: the heat, for one. … Fourth time through the lineup. There’ll come atime for Chad.”
Plus, Bell hadn’t pitched since Tuesday.
“I wanted the complete game, but I’m not upset,” Gaudin said.
In his previous start Tuesday at Seattle, Gaudin tied a career high with 11strikeouts and allowed two runs over seven innings. That victory gave up 17 runsover 14 innings while losing his first three June starts.
The Rangers were held scoreless for the fourth time this season, and hadonly one hit for the second time. Young also had the lone hit when Detroitone-hit them May 19. It was the second shutout for San Diego.
“Throw this night in with all the others. It’s a frustrating one.Hopefully, we can forget it as soon as possible,” Murphy said.
Texas has lost seven of 10 games, and dropped out of first place in the ALWest for the first time since May 5 after a 7-3 loss to the Padres on Saturdaynight. The Rangers are now 1 1/2 games behind the Angels, who open a three-gameseries in Texas on Monday.
Hunter, the 22-year-old left-hander drafted only two seasons ago, scatteredseven hits over 6 1-3 innings, allowing two runs filling in for left-hander MattHarrison(notes), put on the disabled list Sunday with shoulder inflammation.
NOTES: Before going on the disabled list June 3 because of a strained leftbiceps, Hairston homered in three consecutive games. He has nine homers. …There were about 300 dogs in the stands as part of a promotion that allowed fansto bring them. Among them was Reveille, a collie who is the official mascot ofTexas A&M University.
Ramirez goes hitless in Class A game
June 29, 2009
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP)—Manny Ramirez’s(notes) minor league rehab tourcontinued Sunday without a word from the suspended slugger.
Ramirez didn’t produce any hits, either, a day after a hitting leadoff homerfor the Dodgers’ Class A Inland Empire 66ers.
Sunday was the fourth minor-league rehab game for Ramirez, who is scheduledto return from his 50-game ban for violation baseball’s drug policy and rejointhe Dodgers on Friday.
Ramirez was greeted warmly by fans, some of whom wore his No. 99 jerseys andblue bandanas with long dreadlocks. Both were available at stadium concessionsfor $25 apiece.
Cheers greeted each of his three hitless plate appearances, with only atouch of boos.
He had a security escort when he left the field and headed into theclubhouse, ignoring a request to stop and speak to reporters.
Ramirez hasn’t given an interview since Major League Baseball confirmed itwas cooperating with a federal investigation into where Manny Ramirez got thedrug that resulted in his 50-game suspension.
Sixers manager Carlos Subero said Ramirez told him he wanted to play atleast seven innings. He ended up leaving after the top of the sixth. He startedin left field and led off Sunday.
“He wants to do the full thing so he can be ready,” Subero said.
Ramirez walked in his first plate appearance and was caught looking at athird strike from left-hander Alexander Torres in his next two trips to theplate. Ramirez stranded runners at second and third in with his secondstrikeout.
In the field, Ramirez did not have to make a play until he caught a fly hitdirectly to him in the fourth. It was his only catch of the day.
The media following Ramirez was fairly modest in numbers, though Subero saidhis 6-year-old son, Carlos, was stunned to see Ramirez in a 66ers uniform.
“He said, ‘Is this the Manny I play on PlayStation?”’ Subero said. “Hewas so excited.”
Ramirez left while the 66ers batted in the bottom of the sixth, and wasescorted by security to a white SUV and left without speaking to reporters.
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Ramirez goes 0 for 3 in Class A game
June 29, 2009
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP)—Manny Ramirez’s(notes) minor league rehab tourcontinued Sunday without a word from the suspended slugger.
Ramirez didn’t produce any hits, either, a day after a hitting leadoff homerfor the Dodgers’ Class A Inland Empire 66ers.
Sunday was the fourth minor-league rehab game for Ramirez, who is scheduledto return from his 50-game ban for violation baseball’s drug policy and rejointhe Dodgers on Friday.
Ramirez was greeted warmly by fans, some of whom wore his No. 99 jerseys andblue bandanas with long dreadlocks. Both were available at stadium concessionsfor $25 apiece.
Cheers greeted each of his three hitless plate appearances, with only atouch of boos.
He had a security escort when he left the field and headed into theclubhouse, ignoring a request to stop and speak to reporters.
Ramirez hasn’t given an interview since Major League Baseball confirmed itwas cooperating with a federal investigation into where Manny Ramirez got thedrug that resulted in his 50-game suspension.
Sixers manager Carlos Subero said Ramirez told him he wanted to play atleast seven innings. He ended up leaving after the top of the sixth. He startedin left field and led off Sunday.
“He wants to do the full thing so he can be ready,” Subero said.
Ramirez walked in his first plate appearance and was caught looking at athird strike from left-hander Alexander Torres in his next two trips to theplate. Ramirez stranded runners at second and third in with his secondstrikeout.
In the field, Ramirez did not have to make a play until he caught a fly hitdirectly to him in the fourth. It was his only catch of the day.
The media following Ramirez was fairly modest in numbers, though Subero saidhis 6-year-old son, Carlos, was stunned to see Ramirez in a 66ers uniform.
“He said, ‘Is this the Manny I play on PlayStation?”’ Subero said. “Hewas so excited.”
Ramirez left while the 66ers batted in the bottom of the sixth, and wasescorted by security to a white SUV and left without speaking to reporters.
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Rivera gets 500th save, first RBI in win
June 29, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Mariano Rivera(notes) has 500 saves—and one precious RBI.
Guess which feat he was most excited about.
On a New York night that belonged to baseball’s most unflappable closer,Rivera became the second reliever to reach the 500-save milestone when theYankees held off the punchless Mets 4-2 Sunday for a Subway Series sweep.
He joined Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman(notes), who has 571 saves, as the only majorleaguers with 500. The biggest surprise, though: Rivera drew a bases-loaded walkto add a ninth-inning insurance run.
“I had one thing in mind—just try to do something,” Rivera said, beforeexpounding on his save. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely special.”
Chien-Ming Wang(notes) won for the first time in more than a year and Rivera gotfour outs, securing the Yankees’ fifth consecutive victory, all on the road.
Series at a Glance NY Yankees 9 NY Mets 1 Fri, Jun 26 – Final NY Yankees 5 NY Mets 0 Sat, Jun 27 – Final NY Yankees 4 NY Mets 2 Sun, Jun 28 – Final
In a fun twist, the 39-year-old closer even contributed offensively. TheMets walked Derek Jeter(notes) intentionally to get to Rivera with two outs, but he’sproved to be no pushover at the plate. He fouled off a 2-2 pitch from FranciscoRodriguez(notes) before working out a walk for his first career RBI.
It was the third regular-season plate appearance for Rivera—and second infive days. With his teammates yucking it up in the dugout, he flied out againstAtlanta on Wednesday, when he got save No. 498.
“He looks good up there,” longtime teammate Andy Pettitte(notes) said. “I thinkin Atlanta they gave him a take sign and he swung anyway.”
Mark Teixeira(notes) hit a two-run double off Livan Hernandez(notes) (5-3) in a three-runfirst, when the Yankees had two of their four hits.
The injury-depleted Mets managed five, their best offensive output of thethree-game series. The Yankees took five of six games from their crosstownrivals this season, handing the Mets their first sweep in 13 series at their newhome, Citi Field.
“He’s one of the premier closers in my time,” Mets manager Jerry Manuelsaid about Rivera. “I wasn’t applauding him tonight, but you do have to applaudthat.”
Rivera entered with two on in the eighth and went to a full count on OmirSantos(notes) before throwing a called third strike. The right-hander pitched a one-hitninth for his 18th save in 19 chances this season.
“He’s the definition of consistency,” Jeter said.
After the final out, Teixeira handed Rivera the game ball and the Yankeespoured out of the dugout to hug him near first base.
It was the 110th time Rivera has gone more than one inning for a save. Andhe’s done all this with one pitch for the most part—that searing cut fastball.
“I told him he’s the best ever. The best I’ve seen. Nobody can evencompare,” Yankees catcher Jorge Posada(notes) said.
The Yankees (43-32) matched a season high at 11 games over .500.
Still struggling with his command, Wang (1-6) allowed four hits and threewalks in a season-high 5 1-3 innings. He was pulled with a runner on second, butPhil Coke(notes) and Phil Hughes(notes) got the Yankees out of the sixth unscathed.
Hughes worked around a leadoff walk in a hitless seventh. Brian Bruney(notes) gottwo outs but walked two batters before manager Joe Girardi called on Rivera,whose first save came on May 17, 1996, against the California Angels when he gotGarret Anderson(notes) to ground into a game-ending double play, closing out an 8-5victory for Andy Pettitte and the Yankees.
Girardi and Jeter each had two hits and an RBI in that game.
Following a season-ending foot injury last June, Wang has been unable torediscover the form that made him a 19-game winner in 2006 and ’07.
His previous win was June 15 last year in Houston and he was 0-3 with a34.50 ERA after three starts this season, then went on the disabled list fornearly a month with weakness in the adductor muscles in his hips.
After coming back, Wang made three relief appearances before returning tothe rotation June 4 against Texas. His last three outings have shown gradualimprovement.
The Mets cut it to 3-2 in the fourth. Prized prospect Fernando Martinez(notes)snapped an 0-for-16 slump with an RBI double and scored on Luis Castillo’s(notes)two-out single.
NOTES: It was Rivera’s 18th regular-season save against the Mets. … CitiField became the 26th ballpark in which Rivera has notched a save. … JohnnyDamon(notes) didn’t start for the second consecutive game because of a flu bug that’sbeen going around the Yankees’ clubhouse. Melky Cabrera(notes) started in left field,but Damon entered in the sixth.
Angels finish interleague ML-best 14-4
June 28, 2009
PHOENIX (AP)—Gary Matthews Jr.(notes) stole home and hit a three-run double, JuanRivera(notes), Jeff Mathis(notes) and Maicer Izturis(notes) homered and the Los Angeles Angels cashedin on four Arizona errors to defeat the Diamondbacks 12-8 on Sunday afternoon.
The Angels nearly blew a seven-run fifth-inning. Leading 9-2 in the fifth,they let the NL West cellar dwellers draw within 9-8 in the sixth before thebullpen closed the door. Los Angeles swept the three-game series and wrapped upinterleague play with a majors-leading 14-4 record, including going 8-1 on theroad.
With two out and the bases loaded in the fourth, Matthews doubled down theleft field line to clear the bases and give the Angels a 3-2 lead. Then came theplay of the game.
With Erick Aybar(notes) batting from the left side, Matthews broke as Arizona’s MaxScherzer(notes) (5-5) went into his windup. Matthews and the ball arrived at the plateat the same time, and he slid under Montero’s tag.
It was the second time Matthews has stolen home. He scored his first careerrun by stealing home on June 4, 1999.
Series at a Glance LA Angels 12 Arizona 3 Fri, Jun 26 – Final LA Angels 2 Arizona 1 Sat, Jun 27 – Final LA Angels 12 Arizona 8 Sun, Jun 28 – Final
Arizona has lost eight of nine and leads the majors with 71 errors.
Staked to a 9-2 lead, Angels starter Matt Palmer(notes) (7-1) lasted three battersinto the sixth. He allowed six runs and 10 hits in five innings, walking two.
Arizona melted down in the fifth, committing three errors in a span of fivebatters to match a franchise record for errors in an inning.
Leadoff man Jeff Mathis reached when first baseman Mark Reynolds(notes) dropped aroutine throw from second baseman Felipe Lopez(notes). One out later, right fielderJustin Upton(notes) dropped a line drive, and then Lopez let a grounder go through hislegs as the Chase Field crowd of 25,684 erupted into boos.
The Diamondbacks lead the majors with 71 errors.
Only three of the eight runs allowed by Scherzer were earned. He went 4 1-3innings and gave up four hits, walked three and struck out two.
Juan Rivera’s two-run homer off the top of the left field fence capped thefive-run inning and gave the Angels a 9-2 lead.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Max … AP – Jun 28, 6:45 pm EDT
But then the Diamondbacks awoke.
Arizona got a run back on Gerardo Parra’s(notes) groundout in the fifth, thenpulled within 9-8 in the sixth on a two-run double by Tony Clark(notes) and RBI singlesby Stephen Drew(notes), Parr and Montero.
The Angels made it 10-8 in the eighth on a solo shot by Mathis, who hit an0-2 delivery from Jon Rauch(notes) into the left field seats.
In the ninth, Izturis put the Angels up 12-8 with a two-run homer off TonyPena(notes) into the pool area in right-center field.
NOTES: Arizona manager A.J. Hinch closed the clubhouse before the game tocall a team meeting—the third in less than two weeks. Hinch would divulge whatwas said. “We had a lot to talk about,” Hinch said. “We are a last-place teamnot playing up to our standards.” … Arizona is 2-11-1 in home series thisyear, and 0-7-1 under Hinch, who replaced Bob Melvin on May 8. … The Angelsopen a three-game series at Texas on Monday night. The division rivals will playsix times in the next 10 days.
