Mets beat Marlins, avoid San Juan sweep

June 30, 2010

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)—David Wright(notes) doubled twice and drove in two runsand the New York Mets salvaged the final game of their Caribbean trip, beatingthe Florida Marlins 6-5 Wednesday night.

Francisco Rodriguez got four outs for his 18th save in 21 chances. He struckout pinch-hitter Brian Barden(notes) with runners at first and third to end the game,sending fireworks into the sky above the ballpark.

SAN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 11:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 11:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 11:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 11:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 11:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 11:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 11:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:41 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:41 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:41 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:41 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:40 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:40 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 9:34 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 7:52 pm EDT Baseball fans wait during a ra… Reuters – Jun 30, 7:51 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 7:51 pm EDT A tarpaulin covers the field a… AP – Jun 30, 7:44 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 7:32 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 7:32 pm EDT SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – JUNE 3… Getty Images – Jun 30, 7:32 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 21; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/6b/fullj.048ce3a35d5bab0220c33c149b420547/048ce3a35d5bab0220c33c149b420547-getty-97580653ab022_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=149&yc=1&wc=365&hc=405&q=70&sig=rtvIRiLB2W0T_fNxK5LkHA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/87/fullj.733780ba7f8ea4bf3c509870ed7f3e4b/733780ba7f8ea4bf3c509870ed7f3e4b-getty-97580653ab023_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=554&hc=616&q=70&sig=w.hR2203lCEq4LeTh5Jq7Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/57/fullj.16f1c16736d1a43f0a9119376919a049/16f1c16736d1a43f0a9119376919a049-getty-97580653ab017_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=566&hc=629&q=70&sig=TStkleCKPifTVY9cuHnhmg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/ab/fullj.4549d79282fcb7606a4f251778fff825/4549d79282fcb7606a4f251778fff825-getty-97580653ab020_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=115&yc=1&wc=432&hc=480&q=70&sig=Li_eZXJn7szzlbQAOo_1vQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/f3/fullj.0a1c0d8c5b80c0b0d11410c79e400689/0a1c0d8c5b80c0b0d11410c79e400689-getty-97580653ab021_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=124&yc=1&wc=413&hc=459&q=70&sig=hAbn7oIDmhOqH9J_sfGr.A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/85/fullj.c0851a271eefd1f48e875454e8c5b30a/c0851a271eefd1f48e875454e8c5b30a-getty-97580653ab019_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=611&hc=679&q=70&sig=y_eMQ0gESRskJtkBZfUyEQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/75/fullj.3d0e99c1427c7d70fc642a80a9876856/3d0e99c1427c7d70fc642a80a9876856-getty-97580653ab013_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=535&hc=594&q=70&sig=Qw8Ib.H18NxKmHHebIlvzw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/59/fullj.913715024d82dd78af4b6eae903f8d49/913715024d82dd78af4b6eae903f8d49-getty-97580653ab009_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=123&yc=1&wc=416&hc=462&q=70&sig=9gBKkJjXrhbCKdur7fSIMw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/cf/fullj.974ac5da6b7e0c83d2d6a005b4ca06c7/974ac5da6b7e0c83d2d6a005b4ca06c7-getty-97580653ab008_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=122&yc=1&wc=418&hc=464&q=70&sig=dgL2gUvQJBMLKaDk_CZ6bg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/90/fullj.4bf7c00bb3b03991ea0393e629bc0c33/4bf7c00bb3b03991ea0393e629bc0c33-getty-97580653ab012_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=GUUhJtf7RLDZDXDwNL7law--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/79/fullj.e9b9080e6db9ca8cbff9143ba78d044b/e9b9080e6db9ca8cbff9143ba78d044b-getty-97580653ab010_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=I6HGpCvDmoK2a01misl2Gg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/2d/fullj.92b3f591115fd0e75071b53e53a70c8e/92b3f591115fd0e75071b53e53a70c8e-getty-97580653ab014_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=551&hc=612&q=70&sig=I5IvM2SlVwnMR6i1OdFrHQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/18/fullj.4018bc0a6996a7f8747f7f8bc25e2565/4018bc0a6996a7f8747f7f8bc25e2565-getty-97580653ab006_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=115&yc=1&wc=432&hc=480&q=70&sig=AbCr6pABSSY98v8Pg9y3yQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/e1/fullj.35d3592b5d93c8c4c3091399f4242440/35d3592b5d93c8c4c3091399f4242440-getty-97580653ab007_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=553&hc=614&q=70&sig=XPLPDmG7oxY_WwzOq89yRg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/0d/fullj.081d22fab863150d2725b2582b82184b/081d22fab863150d2725b2582b82184b-getty-97580653ab004_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=t9U63eFYNDnsTTdkqIdkqA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/rids/20100630/i/r2258625223.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=80&yc=1&wc=252&hc=280&q=70&sig=sPQ0FCktN8TwTUeIUdu3tg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/01/fullj.5b531e3421ec537995684b3cf9469d48/5b531e3421ec537995684b3cf9469d48-getty-97580653ab005_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=ud1P3Z_cmBsN6BvOsrzNmQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100630/capt.c12406789036479f8994925f38fd35e1-c12406789036479f8994925f38fd35e1-0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=OFhq1VWAqg82VgB63ut_Gw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/2a/fullj.0912f4c26ed79193c1aa2ecf55dbca2c/0912f4c26ed79193c1aa2ecf55dbca2c-getty-97580653ab003_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=106&yc=1&wc=449&hc=499&q=70&sig=y5vUTMTJa_H.Aii2E1xyLQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/3b/fullj.81abb366727e13557a5f47363e220735/81abb366727e13557a5f47363e220735-getty-97580653ab001_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=Xga5BqFWSwqXv10DdbSj.w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/88/fullj.8ee495ce58b8a0238b1a3b4ff504511f/8ee495ce58b8a0238b1a3b4ff504511f-getty-97580653ab002_new_york_mets.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=eZDrwUD0Ej2XiMRj.mcdjw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 22 NYM-Fla Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance NY Mets 3 Florida 10 Mon, Jun 28 – Final NY Mets 6 Florida 7 Tue, Jun 29 – Final NY Mets 6 Florida 5 Wed, Jun 30 – Final

Pinch-hitter Josh Thole(notes) put the Mets ahead for good with an RBI single inthe sixth inning that made it 5-4. Jason Bay(notes) singled home another run in theseventh.

The Marlins lost despite outhitting New York 17-10. Every Florida starterexcept pitcher Chris Volstad(notes) had at least two hits.

The Mets, who have more Puerto Rican players than any other big league team,were the crowd favorite at cozy Hiram Bithorn Stadium. And after waiting out arain delay of nearly 1 1/2 hours at the beginning, the Mets gave the sellout crowdof 19,232 what they were waiting for during the three-game series.

Wright, who leads the National League with 63 RBIs, helped the Mets scorethree times in the first. Jesus Feliciano(notes) led off with a double, Ruben Tejada(notes)reached on an error by first baseman Gaby Sanchez(notes), and Wright doubled them home.Wright scored on a hard single by Ike Davis(notes).

The Marlins were hoping to cap their three-game stay on the island with asweep. Even so, it was a productive stay at their sometimes home, as the teamfound stability with manager Edwin Rodriguez—the Marlins took off the interimtag Tuesday and said he’ll lead them the rest of the year.

Florida won the first two games of the tropical series that was moved byMajor League Baseball in March from Miami, where the Marlins draw sparse crowds,to Puerto Rico.

But the Marlins’ night also included four errors. The costliest came in theseventh inning, when Wright reached first on a wild throw by third baseman JorgeCantu(notes). That helped set up Bay’s RBI single.

Cantu later left the game, shortly after stretching far for a popup.

Mets starter Mike Pelfrey(notes) was tagged for 12 hits and four runs in 4 2-3innings. It took the right-hander 40 pitches to get through the first inning,when he gave up two runs.

Elmer Dessens(notes) (2-1) got one out for the win.

The Mets made it 4-2 in the second. Puerto Rican native Alex Cora(notes) doubledand amped up the crowd with a neat slide to avoid second baseman Dan Uggla’s(notes)glove, and Feliciano singled.

In the fifth, Uggla slid along the turf and somehow grabbed a grounder byFeliciano, then threw out the speedster. In the sixth, after the Mets loaded thebases, shortstop Hanley Ramirez(notes) caught a liner by Feliciano for an unassisteddouble play.

Scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m., the game did not begin until 8:30 p.m. dueto a passing thunderstorm. Fans in slickers soaked up the festive atmosphere,many arriving with cameras or baseballs to get signed. Rodriguez, the firstPuerto Rico-born manager in the big leagues, was a top attraction for localautograph seekers.

In the cozy stadium’s corridors, musicians played trumpets and drums aswomen twirled in red dresses with men wearing straw hats. Dancers maneuvered onstilts, while a few performers in horned “vejigante” masks and ruffledcostumes entertained the crowds.

Also thrilling the fans was former New York Yankees All-Star center fielderBernie Williams, who played renditions of both the U.S. and Puerto Rican anthemson electric guitar for his fellow islanders.

NOTES: The Mets ended a streak of four road losses. … Mets SS Jose Reyes(notes)was scratched from the lineup with a stiff lower back. He will be evaluatedThursday when the team arrive in Washington for a series against the Nationals.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Dodgers cap 3-game road sweep of Giants

June 30, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Matt Kemp(notes) homered and drove in three runs, Vincente Padillawon his 100th game, and the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep ofthe San Francisco Giants with an 8-2 win Wednesday.

Rafael Furcal(notes) had four hits, including a home run, and drove in two for theDodgers, who earned a sweep in San Francisco for the first time in three years.Rafael Belliard also drove in a run.

SAN SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Vinc… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:34 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Rafa… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:32 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Jona… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:31 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Jona… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:31 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Matt… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:31 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Matt … Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:31 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Rafa… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:19 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: James… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:11 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Matt… Getty Images – Jun 30, 5:02 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Vinc… Getty Images – Jun 30, 4:58 pm EDT Los Angeles Dodgers starting p… AP – Jun 30, 4:58 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Jami… Getty Images – Jun 30, 4:47 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Matt… Getty Images – Jun 30, 4:46 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Rafa… Getty Images – Jun 30, 4:44 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Vinc… Getty Images – Jun 30, 4:23 pm EDT SAN FRANCISCO – JUNE 30: Jona… Getty Images – Jun 30, 4:03 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 15; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/96/fullj.71d948e2827ac8124aed4776a0a7b806/71d948e2827ac8124aed4776a0a7b806-getty-97635781jj015_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=118&yc=1&wc=427&hc=474&q=70&sig=5HSoKliQlambLAYHOysZrg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/74/fullj.d69599af5340131501592f7826311772/d69599af5340131501592f7826311772-getty-97635781jj013_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=Yy4ASRxAL63yzEpROtR2cQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/dc/fullj.d884c70e4b7cfe31cfbe98221706de8c/d884c70e4b7cfe31cfbe98221706de8c-getty-97635781jj014_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=523&hc=581&q=70&sig=483LD1HHMBZogcVOEvzyKQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/9a/fullj.12fefb08ca50eab273eb4fff87d2cbff/12fefb08ca50eab273eb4fff87d2cbff-getty-97635781jj012_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=120&yc=1&wc=421&hc=468&q=70&sig=9qdiwVD9VkW_GSjyVd4V4Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/49/fullj.020438868b40b78c18a499f22fcc54cc/020438868b40b78c18a499f22fcc54cc-getty-97635781jj011_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=589&hc=654&q=70&sig=PddTCP7f2mgCZdrJswaGXw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/85/fullj.3881d62383f650c542818016d2af836c/3881d62383f650c542818016d2af836c-getty-97635781jj009_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=6iq_BYIm03ANgpQtSdQUXg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/46/fullj.516e308a32eb9ea78ec99c613c411ce9/516e308a32eb9ea78ec99c613c411ce9-getty-97635781jj008_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=558&hc=620&q=70&sig=KU8FLqVRdbNCjN8FdK5CyQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/47/fullj.4152183f49583a48b9e04d5a0182813b/4152183f49583a48b9e04d5a0182813b-getty-97635781jj007_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=138&yc=1&wc=387&hc=430&q=70&sig=LV2JLfH.RTBfMX8_qQOS0A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/e5/fullj.01740c32551606706665e525c32222b8/01740c32551606706665e525c32222b8-getty-97635781jj006_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=123&yc=1&wc=417&hc=463&q=70&sig=iwkU_6LkdGA6U04HU_T_5Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100630/capt.579d355a7f62437e85b2d8efd5649b55-579d355a7f62437e85b2d8efd5649b55-0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=299&hc=332&q=70&sig=HSNPM1EoEWAp4QYoivsOWA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/fa/fullj.6b5168d28909859318d6de0a5ffea3dc/6b5168d28909859318d6de0a5ffea3dc-getty-97635781jj005_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=137&yc=1&wc=388&hc=431&q=70&sig=XzhQBl6HE9L6yQ8wKK._bg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/fe/fullj.de560dda193c29d6677b80ffae1597e6/de560dda193c29d6677b80ffae1597e6-getty-97635781jj004_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=133&yc=1&wc=396&hc=440&q=70&sig=i_Lt6J3km3KIn3Or3O8P5A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/0d/fullj.73f708dfac4b4c5648d5a6d283618162/73f708dfac4b4c5648d5a6d283618162-getty-97635781jj003_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=120&yc=1&wc=421&hc=468&q=70&sig=_NRchr49njONLqBvlK6yog--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/11/fullj.c3f530e5ece4a617b05a568f863881a0/c3f530e5ece4a617b05a568f863881a0-getty-97635781jj002_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=143&yc=1&wc=375&hc=417&q=70&sig=BGjBUn4lib0aLC30.QfbaQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/72/fullj.cbd3888c2b7913848ba82fc0a38da49d/cbd3888c2b7913848ba82fc0a38da49d-getty-97635781jj001_los_angeles_d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=621&hc=690&q=70&sig=Q4zya0hyn33bqfXjgoBGaA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 16 LAD-SF Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance LA Dodgers 4 San Francisco 2 Mon, Jun 28 – Final LA Dodgers 4 San Francisco 2 Tue, Jun 29 – Final LA Dodgers 8 San Francisco 2 Wed, Jun 30 – Final

Padilla (2-2) won for the first time in three starts since coming off thedisabled list on June 19.

Aaron Rowand(notes) had three hits, including a home run, for the Giants, who losttheir fifth straight. Jonathan Sanchez(notes) (6-6) allowed five runs on six hits overfive innings.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Rays’ Upton out again with quad injury

June 30, 2010

BOSTON (AP)—B.J. Upton(notes) was out of Tampa Bay’s starting lineup again Wednesdaynight against the Boston Red Sox, this time because of a sore right quadriceps.

Upton didn’t want to talk about the injury when he walked to the trainer’sroom before the game.

“Yesterday, in the game, he was a little sore afterwards,” Rays managerJoe Maddon said. “He came out today and tested it and didn’t feel quiteright.”

Maddon said Upton would probably be able to pinch hit.

“He’ll probably have a better chance of batting,” he said.

On Tuesday, Maddon said he didn’t have the center fielder in the startinglineup, but said it was unrelated to the dugout confrontation Upton had withteammate Evan Longoria(notes) on Sunday. Upton entered Tuesday’s loss to Boston in theeighth inning as a pinch-hitter and tripled.

Maddon wasn’t sure when Upton was hurt.

When questioned briefly about it as he walked to the trainer’s, Upton said:“I don’t want to talk about it.”

In Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Arizona, Upton and Longoria had to be separatedafter Upton failed to run hard after a ball in the left-center field gap. TVcameras showed Longoria saying something to Upton when the Rays got back to thedugout.

Fantasy Baseball registration is now open. Join today!

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Johnson’s 4 hits lift Astros by Brewers

June 30, 2010

MILWAUKEE (AP)—Chris Johnson(notes) starred during spring training before his faststart was derailed by an early-season injury.

Now, he appears to be back from the minor leagues for good.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pit… AP – Jun 30, 2:19 pm EDT Hou-Mil Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Houston 9 Milwaukee 5 Mon, Jun 28 – Final Houston 5 Milwaukee 7 Tue, Jun 29 – Final Houston 5 Milwaukee 1 Wed, Jun 30 – Final

Johnson had his second four-hit game in five contests and led the HoustonAstros to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

“To watch C.J. put up with some of the stuff he’s had to, and not gottenupset, he came up here and took advantage of the opportunity,” said Geoff Blum(notes),who went 2 for 2 with two walks and three runs scored. “It’s fun to watch.”

Johnson led the Grapefruit League with eight home runs and 22 RBI, and madethe Astros out of spring training. He strained a right intercostal muscle andwas placed on the disabled list on April 20. He was then sent to Triple-A RoundRock when he recovered in May.

He batted .329 with 10 doubles, eight home runs and 33 RBI in 38 games atRound Rock, and was recalled by the Astros on June 22.

Since then, he has gone 12 for 29 (.414) with three doubles and six RBI inseven starts at third base.

“I try and do the same thing I did there (in Triple A),” he said. “That’swhat got me here. I’m trying to stay within myself and take whatever the pitchergives me. It’s working out.”

The Astros got a strong start from Wandy Rodriguez(notes), who gave up only one runin seven innings and executed a perfect suicide squeeze bunt to snap a tie inthe sixth inning.

“I had good command of my fastball and my breaking ball, too,” Rodriguezsaid.

Rodriguez (5-10) won his second consecutive start after a stretch in whichhe lost six of seven. The left-hander held the Brewers to 1 for 10 with runnersin scoring position, giving up one run and seven hits. He struck out six andissued one intentional walk.

“He got into key situations where he really beared down and made some goodpitches, and was able to get out of some key spots,” Astros catcher JasonCastro(notes) said.

With the score tied 1-1 with one out in the fifth and two runners on,Rodriguez struck out Prince Fielder(notes) and got Ryan Braun to ground into afielder’s choice to end the inning.

“That’s a prime example of him kind of stepping up and not letting anythingget to him, and really focusing on his pitches,” Castro said. “He did a greatjob.”

Dave Bush(notes) (3-6) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. One run scoredon a wild pitch and the other came in on Rodriguez’s squeeze. The right-handerwalked five and struck out three.

Blum opened the sixth with a walk off Bush. Johnson’s single moved him tosecond, and Castro’s fielder’s choice sent him to third with one out.

Blum then took off for home on Bush’s first pitch to Rodriguez, who put downa precise bunt midway between the plate and the mound. Blum scored without aplay to give Houston a 2-1 lead.

The Astros scored three more runs in the seventh to break open the game.Jeff Keppinger(notes) and Lance Berkman(notes) both doubled off Carlos Villanueva(notes) to start theinning and make it 3-1. Two outs later, Blum walked. Johnson’s double off theleft-field wall then scored Berkman and Blum to stretch the lead to 5-1.

Villanueva generally pitches in close games, but he has given up sevenearned runs in 3 2-3 innings over his last five appearances. Milwaukee managerKen Macha said he would consider moving rarely used left-hander Chris Capuano(notes)into Villanueva’s role.

“Villa, pitching the way he is lately, we’ve got to take a look a littlemore at what Cappy can do for us out of the bullpen,” Macha said.

Milwaukee scored its only run in the second on Jonathan Lucroy’s(notes) groundoutto shortstop that brought in Ryan Braun and put the Brewers ahead 1-0.

“We had a couple of chances to score, but we didn’t get ‘er done,” Machasaid.

Houston tied it in the fourth when Blum scored on Bush’s wild pitch.

Compounding their inability to advance runners, the Brewers also made threeouts on the bases. Casey McGehee(notes) was called out twice at third by umpire BrianGorman, with both calls being argued by Macha. Lucroy was also thrown out whiletrying to steal second.

NOTES: Johnson tied a career high with four hits. He also had four on Fridaynight at Texas. … Brewers RF Corey Hart(notes) extended his hitting streak to 15games with a single in the third. … Brewers LHP Doug Davis(notes) made his finalminor league rehab start Wednesday, giving up one run, six hits and three walks.He also struck out four for Class A Wisconsin against Quad Cities. Davis isexpected to start for the Brewers sometime next week. … The Astros (31-48)have won nine consecutive games on Wednesdays, improving their overall record onthat day to 10-3.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

BoSox’s Pedroia takes grounders on knees

June 30, 2010

BOSTON (AP)—Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia(notes) took grounders while on bothknees before the Red Sox took batting practice prior to their game against theTampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.

Pedroia broke a bone in his left foot when he fouled a ball of it lastFriday night in San Francisco and is expected to be out approximately six weeks.

“I just have to keep my arm in shape,” he said afterward.

The 2008 AL MVP warmed up on the edge of the grass in front of his secondbase position, playing catch while on both knees. Then he took grounders andflipped the ball to a coach standing next to him.

When he was done, he used crutches to get off the field. His foot is in aprotective boot.

“He’s a maniac,” Boston manager Terry Francona said. “He knows he can’tput any weight on that foot or he’ll slow himself down. Anybody that’s beenaround him two seconds knows he’ll be ready to go when the bell rings. He’spretty unique.”

Fantasy Baseball registration is now open. Join today!

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Fill-in Enright helps Arizona top Cards

June 30, 2010

ST. LOUIS (AP)—Barry Enright(notes) gave the Arizona Diamondbacks five solid inningsas the fill-in for Edwin Jackson(notes) and Chris Young hit a two-run home run in a 4-2victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that avoided a three-game sweep onWednesday.

Arizona Arizona Diamondbacks starting … AP – Jun 30, 3:21 pm EDT Ari-StL Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Arizona 5 St. Louis 6 Mon, Jun 28 – Final Arizona 0 St. Louis 8 Tue, Jun 29 – Final Arizona 4 St. Louis 2 Wed, Jun 30 – Final

Both Enright (1-0) and the Cardinals’ Jeff Suppan(notes) (0-4) went at least fiveinnings in a game that lasted 3 hours, 53 minutes.

It’s the longest nine-inning game at 5-year-old Busch Stadium, topping theprevious high by 15 minutes, and was the team’s longest nine-inning game of theseason by 33 minutes.

Aaron Heilman(notes) worked around two singles in the ninth for his third save inseven chances.

Young was in a 1 for 18 slump and his career average at St. Louis was downto .125 before he hit his 14th homer in the fifth for a 3-1 lead that helped theDiamondbacks win on the road for the fourth time in 22 games and avoid gettingswept for a ninth time. Cory Snyder is 8 for 14 against Suppan after a three-hitgame.

The 24-year-old Enright was a second-round draft pick in 2007 and was 4-1with a 2.88 ERA at Double-A Mobile, earning nod as the sub for Jackson, whothrew 149 pitches in his no-hitter and is getting two extra days’ rest beforehis next start Friday at home against the Dodgers.

Enright gave up an RBI triple to Matt Holliday(notes) in the first but otherwisefrustrated the Cardinals, who stranded five runners in scoring position againstthe rookie, who allowed four hits and four walks and left with a 3-1 lead.

Suppan lasted 5 2-3 innings and 109 pitches, both highs for him in fourstarts since rejoining St. Louis. But he couldn’t close out innings, withYoung’s homer and Rusty Ryal’s(notes) RBI single in the sixth both coming with twoouts.

The Cardinals loaded the bases against Blaine Boyer(notes) in the sixth, but AlbertPujols(notes) grounded out to short to end the threat. Felipe Lopez(notes) earned a 10-pitchwalk from Boyer the previous at-bat.

The Cardinals got an unusual forceout in the fourth on a pop fly by AugieOjeda(notes) that was in and out of right fielder Nick Stavinoha’s(notes) glove after adiving, rolling attempt. Stavinoha recovered to throw out Snyder at second.

NOTES: Diamondbacks pitcher Dan Haren(notes), who’s hitting .435 with seven RBIsand homered Monday, walked as a pinch hitter in the fifth to keep alive aseven-game hitting streak. … SS Stephen Drew(notes) returned for Arizona aftermissing four of five games with a sore left knee, and had two hits. … ColbyRasmus(notes) struck out four times in five at-bats over a two-game span. … Theprevious longest nine-inning game at Busch lasted 3:38 on Sept. 21, 2007,against the Astros.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Hernandez blanks Yankees with 2-hitter

June 30, 2010

NEW YORK (AP)—Felix Hernandez(notes) threw a wild pitch and handcuffed his catcherfor a passed ball in the first inning.

With all that movement, he knew things would be all right.

Rodriguez’s 7 IP, squeeze lift Astros

June 30, 2010

MILWAUKEE (AP)—Wandy Rodriguez(notes) pitched seven solid innings and executed aperfect suicide squeeze bunt to snap a tie in the sixth inning to lead theHouston Astros to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

Chris Johnson(notes) had his second four-hit game in six days for the Astros,including a two-run double in the seventh that made it 4-1.

Dave Bush(notes) (3-6) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. One run scoredon a wild pitch and the other came in on Rodriguez’s squeeze. The right-handerwalked five and struck out three.

Geoff Blum(notes), who was 2 for 2 with two walks and three runs scored, opened thesixth with a walk off Bush. Johnson’s single moved him to second and JasonCastro’s(notes) fielder’s choice sent him to third with one out.

Blum then took off for home on Bush’s first pitch to Rodriguez, who put downa precise bunt midway between the plate and the mound. Blum scored without aplay to give Houston a 2-1 lead.

The Astros scored three more runs in the seventh to break open the game.Jeff Keppinger(notes) and Lance Berkman(notes) both doubled off Carlos Villanueva(notes) to start theinning and make it 3-1. Two outs later, Blum walked, and Johnson hit a double tothe left-field wall that scored both Berkman and Blum and stretched the lead to5-1.

Milwaukee scored its only run in the second on Jonathan Lucroy’s(notes) groundoutto shortstop that brought in Ryan Braun and put the Brewers ahead 1-0.

Houston tied it in the fourth when Blum scored on Bush’s wild pitch.

Compounding their inability to advance runners, the Brewers also made threeouts on the bases. Casey McGehee(notes) was called out twice at third by umpire BrianGorman, with both calls being argued by manager Ken Macha. Lucroy was caughttrying to steal second.

NOTES: Johnson tied a career high with four hits. He also four on Fridaynight at Texas. … Brewers RF Corey Hart(notes) extended his hitting streak to 15games with a single in the third. … Brewers LHP Doug Davis(notes) made his finalminor league rehab start Wednesday, giving up one run, six hits and three walks.He also struck out four for Class A Wisconsin against Quad Cities. Davis isexpected to start for the Brewers sometime next week. … The Astros (31-48)have won nine consecutive games on Wednesdays, improving their overall record onthat day to 10-3.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Hernandez shuts out Yanks with 2-hitter

June 30, 2010

NEW YORK (AP)—Felix Hernandez(notes) followed Cliff Lee(notes) with a gem of his own,pitching a two-hitter and striking out 11 as the Seattle Mariners secured theirfirst road series win since April, beating the New York Yankees 7-0 Wednesdaynight.

New New York Yankees' Alex Rod… AP – Jun 30, 9:33 pm EDT Seattle Mariners' Felix He… AP – Jun 30, 7:51 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 1; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100630/capt.9473b6f579ac468ab6cc6a6a64576c67-9473b6f579ac468ab6cc6a6a64576c67-0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=31&yc=1&wc=350&hc=389&q=70&sig=P5RJCxvon76QuoxigE4J8g--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 2 Sea-NYY Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Seattle 7 NY Yankees 4 Tue, Jun 29 – Final Seattle 7 NY Yankees 0 Wed, Jun 30 – Final Seattle at NY Yankees Thu, Jul 1 – 1:05 pm ET

Hernandez (6-5) and Lee are a major reason why the Mariners have won nine of12. Lee threw his third straight complete game in a 7-4 win Tuesday night andKing Felix, in his third start in a row to go nine innings, might have been moreperplexing to Yankees batters Wednesday.

The Yankees had not lost consecutive games to pitchers throwing completegames since April 21-22, 2000, when Chris Carpenter(notes) and Kelvim Escobar(notes) did itfor the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hernandez and Lee won back-to-back starts for only the second time thisseason. The last was June 18-19, but Hernandez went nine innings in his previousstart, a 13-inning loss to the Cubs.

Mark Teixeira(notes) doubled leading off the first for New York’s first hit andColin Curtis(notes) had a lost-in-the-lights double in the fifth. Hernandez retired 11in a row after Curtis’ double before a one-out walk to Teixeira in the ninth.

Milton Bradley(notes) and Saunders each homered off Javier Vazquez(notes) (6-7) and JoseLopez(notes) extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single.

Saunders hit a two-run homer in the eighth off Chad Gaudin(notes) for his firstmultihomer game.

Unlike Lee, who might be gone by the trading deadline in July, Hernandezfigures to be the Mariners ace for awhile. He signed a $78 million, five-yeardeal in the offseason.

Hernandez got himself in trouble with a leadoff walk to Derek Jeter(notes) in thefirst. He struck out Nick Swisher(notes) and Teixeira but Jeter advanced to third on awild pitch and passed ball. Alex Rodriguez(notes) walked—Hernandez’s first multiwalkgame in five starts—before Robinson Cano(notes) hit a liner to left that Saunderscaught with a leap.

Hernandez, who has won three straight decisions, did not walk another batteruntil the ninth.

In the top of the fifth, Branyan stepped out of the batter’s box but homeplate umpire Angel Hernandez did not grant him time—Vazquez’s pitch was a balland Branyan ended up walking.

NOTES: The Mariners finished June 14-13, their first winning month of theseason. The Yankees were 16-10. … Yankees RHP A.J. Burnett(notes) threw about 35pitches in a bullpen session with pitching coach Dave Eiland, who returned tothe team Tuesday after taking nearly a month off for an undisclosed personalreason. Burnett lost all five starts in Eiland’s absence, and Eiland worked withBurnett on keeping his shoulder in. … Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said LHPErik Bedard(notes) (shoulder) was excited about making his rehab start for Triple-ATacoma on Thursday. If all goes well, Wakamatsu said Bedard could make his firststart since having surgery in August on July 6 against Kansas City.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Indians top Jays for fourth straight win

June 30, 2010

CLEVELAND (AP)—Aaron Laffey(notes) allowed one run over six-plus innings and theCleveland Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Wednesday night for theirfourth straight win.

Laffey (1-2), who gave up five hits and struck out five, was 0-8 in ninestarts and 29 appearances at the major league level since beating Minnesota lastAug. 16. It was the left-hander’s second start since being recalled from theminors on Saturday. He was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on May 30.

Cleveland Indians' Aaron L… The Canadian Press – Jun 30, 10:00 pm EDT Toronto Blue Jays' Jesse L… AP – Jun 30, 8:06 pm EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 1; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100701/capt.82a4800d79d9420a926a2023d9e5ab4b-82a4800d79d9420a926a2023d9e5ab4b-0.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=61&yc=1&wc=289&hc=321&q=70&sig=aQt.ykfoFZTut2DOXopErA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 2 Tor-Cle Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Toronto 1 Cleveland 2 Mon, Jun 28 – Final Toronto 4 Cleveland 5 Tue, Jun 29 – Final Toronto 1 Cleveland 3 Wed, Jun 30 – Final Toronto at Cleveland Thu, Jul 1 – 12:05 pm ET

Matt LaPorta(notes) and Shin-Soo Choo(notes) hit solo home runs for Cleveland, whichmatched its longest win streak of the season following a season-worst seven-gamelosing streak. The Indians will seek their first four-game home sweep since May25-28, 2009, against Tampa Bay, when they host the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Toronto has lost four straight, eight of 10 overall and is 3-11 in its last14 road games.

Chris Perez(notes) pitched a perfect ninth for his seventh save in 10 chances. Heclosed in place of Kerry Wood(notes), who had three saves in three days.

Choo put Cleveland ahead 1-0 with a 422-foot home run off Jesse Litsch(notes) (0-3)with one out in the first. It was Choo’s fifth homer in his last eight games and13th of the season.

LaPorta’s second homer in two nights, off reliever Shawn Camp(notes) in theseventh, made it 3-1.

Carlos Santana(notes) had an RBI single in the sixth inning for Cleveland.

Toronto loaded the bases in the fifth on a two-out double by Aaron Hill(notes) andtwo walks. Laffey got out of the jam by striking out Fred Lewis(notes).

John Buck(notes) singled to open the seventh. Buck was running when Lyle Overbay(notes)hit a line drive off the glove of a leaping LaPorta at first base for his1,000th career hit. The single put Blue Jays on first and third and finishedLaffey.

Reliever Frank Herrmann(notes) got Hill to pop out to second on the first pitch.Nick Green(notes) then grounded a single up the middle to score Buck, cuttingCleveland’s lead to 2-1. Shortstop Jason Donald(notes) smothered the ball with a dive,but could not get an out.

Herrmann ended the threat by striking out pinch-hitter Adam Lind(notes) and Lewis,who fouled off five consecutive pitches before finally being retired. Lind’s outdropped him into a 2-for-20 (.100) slump.

Litsch gave up two runs and four hits over six innings. The right-hander hasbeen inconsistent in four starts since returning June 13, a year and one dayafter having Tommy John surgery. After throwing seven innings in a 3-0 victoryover San Francisco on June 19, he allowed six runs and walked four in fourinnings of a 9-0 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.

NOTES: Toronto manager Cito Gaston moved Buck up to fifth in the lineup anddropped Hill to seventh, using the 2B as the DH. Hill went 1 for 4 and has hitonly .139 (5 of 36) in his last 10 games. … Toronto leads the majors with 115homers, but has none in three games. … LaPorta is 4 for 9 in the series and 6for 15 against the Blue Jays this season. … Cleveland has homered in 18 of itslast 23 games.

Written by chris · Filed Under MLB Baseball | Leave a Comment

Mets beat Marlins, avoid San Juan sweep

Dodgers cap 3-game road sweep of Giants

Rays’ Upton out again with quad injury

Johnson’s 4 hits lift Astros by Brewers

BoSox’s Pedroia takes grounders on knees

Fill-in Enright helps Arizona top Cards

Hernandez blanks Yankees with 2-hitter

Rodriguez’s 7 IP, squeeze lift Astros

Hernandez shuts out Yanks with 2-hitter

Indians top Jays for fourth straight win

Latest Headlines

Archives

Related Sites