Baseball Today - April 12
Thu, Apr 12, 2007
By Associated Press
SCOREBOARD
Philadelphia at New York (7:10 p.m. EDT). Tom Glavine starts for the Mets.
STARS
Wednesday
-Felix Hernandez, Mariners, pitched a one-hitter and struck out six, helping Seattle beat Boston 3-0.
-Joe Saunders, Angels, allowed one run and four hits in 6 2-3 innings in Los Angeles' 4-1 win over Cleveland at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
-Ramon Ortiz, Twins, allowed one run, three hits and one walk in eight innings, leading Minnesota past New York 5-1.
-Greg Maddux, Padres, struck out six, allowing six hits in six innings to earn his 334th career victory and San Diego topped San Francisco 4-0.
-Craig Monroe, Tigers, went 3-for-6 with a go-ahead grand slam in the 12th inning and Detroit defeated Baltimore 4-0.
POSTPONED
The Houston Astros-Chicago Cubs game scheduled for Wednesday afternoon was postponed because of rain and snow and is expected to be made up on July 12.
CIVIL WAR
Daisuke Matsuzaka got the early jump on fellow countryman Ichiro Suzuki again, starting his Fenway Park career by retiring the Seattle star just as he did the first time they faced each other in Japan. Matsuzaka retired Suzuki all four times he faced him, but was the losing pitcher in Boston's 3-0 loss to the Mariners. In Japan, Suzuki was 8-for-34 against Matsuzaka, including strikeouts in his first three at-bats.
FOR THE RECORD
Prince Fielder had three singles, a double and three walks to reach base seven times and tie a team record in Milwaukee's 3-2, 13 inning win in the completion of a suspended game from Tuesday night. Fielder tied the franchise mark set by Kevin Reimer, who was 6-for-6 with a walk against Oakland on Aug. 24, 1993.
THE PEN IS MIGHTY
The San Diego bullpen extended its season-opening scoreless streak to 28 1-3 innings in Wednesday's 4-0 win over San Francisco. The trio of Cla Meredith, Scott Linebrink and Doug Brocail retired all 12 batters they faced, including Barry Bonds twice, to preserve Greg Maddux's 334th career win.
MOOSE ON THE SHELF
New York starter Mike Mussina left Wednesday's game at Minnesota three batters into the third inning because of a strained left hamstring and will probably miss at least his next start. Sean Henn, who relieved Mussina, probably will take Mussina's starting turn Tuesday against Cleveland, but the Yankees weren't ready to declare Mussina on the disabled list just yet.
OUT?
Seattle Mariners left-hander Arthur Rhodes has a torn ligament in his pitching elbow and is considering ligament replacement surgery that would keep him out for the rest of the season. Team medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayan said Rhodes has a choice between pitching with the tear or having Tommy John surgery. Rhodes is expected to get a second opinion.
STREAKING
Brad Penny beat Colorado 3-0 on Wednesday for his sixth straight win against the Rockies. The Dodgers' right-hander went 5-0 with a 2.67 ERA against Colorado last season.
ROAD WOES
Tampa Bay won at Texas 6-5 on Wednesday to improve to just 5-36 on the road since last June 30.
SPEAKING
''I was like, 'What in the world is he throwing? I can't hit that.''' - Josh Hamilton talking about Arizona starter Micah Owings after the Cincinnati slugger struck out and grounded out in his first two at-bats Wednesday night. But Hamilton homered in his third trip to the plate against Brandon Medders to help the Reds beat the Diamondbacks 3-2.
Mussina leaves game with hamstring strain
Wed, Apr 11, 2007
By Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS -- New York Yankees starter Mike Mussina left Wednesday's game at Minnesota three batters into the third inning because of a strained left hamstring.
After allowing consecutive hits to Luis Rodriguez and Alexi Casilla at the start of the inning, Mussina went to a 2-1 count against Luis Castillo, then motioned for someone to come from the dugout. Pitching coach Ron Guidry visited the mound, followed by a trainer and manager Joe Torre, and Mussina walked off after the brief conference.
The 38-year-old Mussina, who is beginning his 17th major league season, gave up a walk and a double in the first two innings against the Twins. He lost his first start, giving up eight hits and six runs in four innings last week against the Baltimore Orioles, his original team.
Seattle's Rhodes has torn elbow ligament
April 11th, 2007
Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Seattle Mariners reliever Arthur Rhodes has a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, an MRI revealed, and will likely miss the entire 2007 season, the club announced Wednesday.
Seattle placed Rhodes on the disabled list on Tuesday, retroactive to April 2, with inflammation in his left elbow. Rhodes will make a decision in the upcoming days between rehabilitation, or possible "Tommy John" surgery.
Rhodes, 37, was signed in the offseason by Seattle.
Last season with Philadelphia, he went 0-5 with a 5.32 earned run average and four saves in 55 appearances.
In eight appearances in the preseason, Rhodes had a 2.57 ERA in seven innings of work.
Nationals place King on DL
April 12th, 2007
Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals placed pitcher Ray King on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder tendinitis.
The 33-year-old King has posted a robust 12.27 earned run average in five games this season.
In a corresponding roster move, the Nationals recalled pitcher Saul Rivera from Columbus of the International League.
Orioles place Wright on DL
April 12th, 2007
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - The Baltimore Orioles placed pitcher Jaret Wright on the disabled list on Thursday with right shoulder soreness. The move is retroactive to April 11.
Wright left his start on Tuesday against Detroit with tightness in his right shoulder.
Acquired by the Orioles in the offseason, Wright is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA in two starts this season. Lifetime, he is 68-59 with a 5.08 ERA in 225 games (170 starts), for the Indians, Braves, Padres, Yankees and Orioles.
In a related move, the team has recalled pitcher Brian Burres from Triple-A Norfolk to take Wright's spot on the roster.
Padres place Bard on DL
April 12th, 2007
San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - The San Diego Padres placed catcher Josh Bard on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain.
The 29-year old Bard is batting .286 (8-for-28) with two doubles and four runs batted in during seven games for the Padres this season.
Over parts of six Major League seasons with Cleveland, Boston and the Padres, the switch-hitting catcher is hitting .271 with 22 home runs and 105 RBI in 263 career games.
To replace Bard on the roster, the Padres purchased the contract of catcher Pete Laforest from their Triple-A affiliate in Portland.