MLB News and Notes August - 26

Notes from Saturday's games
August 25, 2007

NEW YORK: RHP Joba Chamberlain's nine-inning scoreless streak is the longest by a Yankee making his major league debut since Matt Smith began with 12 clean innings last season. Manager Joe Torre said Chamberlain and RHP Kyle Farnsworth would not be available for Saturday's game at Detroit. ... The team's hotel in Detroit's northern suburbs was almost evacuated Friday evening after a tornado touched down nearby. Torre's and bench coach Don Mattingly's wives were dining there at the time. ... Most of the team did not arrive until 5 p.m. Saturday. Several players said they did not get to sleep until 5 a.m. after returning from a 9-6 loss that ended at 3:30 a.m. ... Hideki Matsui's two-run double in Saturday's first inning raised his career batting average against Jeremy Bonderman to .529 (9-for-17).

DETROIT: 2B Placido Polanco had his major-league record errorless streak restored Saturday evening, about 20 hours after it came to an apparent end. Polanco was given an error for a first-inning throw on Friday, but the official scorer gave the error to 1B Marcus Thames after reviewing replays and talking to first-base umpire Hunter Wendelstadt. Polanco has now gone 148 games and 734 chances without an error, both records for second basemen. ... Neither the Tigers nor Yankees took batting practice after Friday night's rain-delayed, 11-inning game ended at 3:30 a.m. ... ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, seriously injured in Iraq in 2006, threw out the first pitch and receieved a loud ovation in his hometown.

OAKLAND: CF Jeff DaVanon received a routine day off Saturday. ... 3B Jack Hannahan received the day off with Oakland facing the left-handed Scott Kazmir. He was available off the bench, according to manager Bob Geren. ... LF Shannon Stewart will be an early morning decision to play Sunday, although he has received two games off on the Athletics' road trip. Geren has been cautious with Stewart on turf fields this season.

TAMPA BAY: 3B Akinori Iwamura will receive Sunday off, manager Joe Maddon said. INF Joel Guzman will make his first start at third base since being called up Aug. 19. ... Maddon said CF B.J. Upton will stay in the cleanup role in the batting order for the time being. Upton has two home runs in the two games (Aug. 22 and 24) when he batted fourth, and the Devil Rays are 2-0 in those games.

CLEVELAND: LF Kenny Lofton singled in the first inning for his 2,400th hit. He was dropped to the seventh slot in the batting order for only the third time. Lofton had batted leadoff or second in 17 games. ... Rookie RHP Edward Mujica was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo for the third time this season. He had an 8.53 ERA in nine games with Cleveland. ... RHP Fausto Carmona, who starts Sunday, leads the AL with a 1.80 ERA since the All-Star break. ... Royals manager Buddy Bell, who announced he is stepping down at the end of the season, was the bench coach for Indians manager Eric Wedge when he was hired in 2003. ``He's always true to himself and his family and the game as well,'' Wedge said. ``I've got as much respect for Buddy, if not more, than anyone in the game. He does things for the right reason, and he always does them in a very unselfish manner.''

KANSAS CITY: RF Mark Teahen, who went on the disabled list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 19, with a hyper extended left elbow and forearm strain, said Saturday he is getting better. ``Every day it feels like less pain and more range of motion. I feel like I'm moving in the right direction, just slow movement,'' he said. Teahen is able to throw but not swing the bat. He plans to come off the disabled list on Sept. 3, the first day he is eligible to be activated. ... Manager Buddy Bell said he plans to use a six-man rotation in September. ... RHP Luke Hochevar, the first overall pick in the 2006 draft, continues to struggle with Triple-A Omaha, where he is 1-3 with a 6.14 ERA in eight starts after a 6-0 loss on Friday to Round Rock.

TORONTO: C Gregg Zaun played in his 1,000th major league game on Saturday night. The 13-year veteran has played for seven teams in his big league career, winning a World Series ring with the Florida Marlins in 1997. He made his debut as a pinch-runner for the Baltimore Orioles on June 25, 1995. ``A lot of people in my hometown (Glendale, Calif.) didn't think I'd even make it to the major leagues - let alone play 12 years - because I was such a little guy when I was growing up,'' said Zaun, whose uncle is former catcher and 1993 World Series MVP Rick Dempsey. ``I'm actually glad I did it here because my parents are here tonight. I'm pretty sure that I'll never make 3,000 hits and won't be a 500-home run guy, but this it a nice accomplishment.''

LOS ANGELES: Saturday was CF Gary Matthews Jr.'s 33rd birthday. He began the day hitting .266 with 120 hits, 16 homers and 69 RBIs in 120 games. ``My dad has told me, 'You've got to enjoy it more and you can't be so hard on yourself.' He's been watching me on TV and I think he can also just tell from our conversations,'' Gary Jr. said. ``I'm definitely my own worst critic. I know I'm not going to be perfect, but in my mind I truly set out to be perfect every night. So I'm disappointed if I don't have a good night. I've tried to work on it, but I have a feeling that I'll always be this way.''

SEATTLE: CF Ichiro Suzuki was out of the starting lineup for the first time this season. Manager John McLaren said Ichiro is getting some rest since the Mariners are in a stretch of 44 games in 45 days. Ichiro was last out of the lineup Sept. 26, 2006. ... McLaren said he would rest C Kenji Johjima on Sunday. Jamie Burke will start in his place.

TEXAS: OF David Murphy hit his first home run with the Rangers and second of his career Friday. Murphy, who came from the Boston Red Sox as part of the Eric Gagne trade, sees these final five weeks as a chance to get into the outfield rotation for 2008. ``Every day that I get to play is a huge opportunity to show what I can do,'' said Murphy, who is 13-of-27 since the trade. ``I've done well so far. What I continue to do for the rest of the season will make an impression on whether I can get a spot next year.'' ... Thanks to Kevin Millwood pitching 8 2-3 innings Friday night, it was the first time this season the Texas bullpen needed to record fewer than three outs in any game. The Texas starters have thrown the fewest innings in baseball.

MINNESOTA: Rookie 2B Alexi Casilla was fined an undisclosed amount by manager Ron Gardenhire for a baserunning blunder in Friday's victory over Baltimore. Casilla forgot how many outs there were, and made it only to second on a two-out, pop single by Jason Bartlett. Gardenhire said the punishment would mark the beginning of a kangaroo court in the Twins clubhouse. ``Just having some fun and getting some getting-the-job-done attitude,'' Gardenhire said. ... RHP Scott Baker, Sunday's scheduled starter, is expected to fly to Baltimore on Saturday night following the birth of a son, Easton Timothy, and will take his regular turn. ... OF Rondell While, who is still bothered by a sore hamstring, will start Sunday, Gardenhire said. C Joe Mauer, who has been battling sore ankles, gets a break as Mike Redmond catches Baker.

BALTIMORE: OF B.J. Surhoff was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame on Saturday night. He becomes the 44th player, coach or manager to join the team's Hall. ... The Orioles announced the hiring of Alan Dunn at bullpen coach. Dunn spent 15 years in the Cubs' organization, including two as pitching coach for manager Dave Trembley in Class A. ... RHP Jaret Wright is scheduled to throw one inning for Double-A Bowie on Sunday. Wright has been sidelined since April with a sore shoulder. ... The Orioles optioned RHP Jim Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for RHP Radhames Liz, who made his major league debut as Baltimore's starter Saturday night.

BOSTON: OF Bobby Kielty went 3-for-5 and had a season-high four RBIs in just his sixth game with the Red Sox. Kielty, who was released by Oakland on July 31, has settled in well since joining Boston on August 18. ``He's fit in really well,'' manager Terry Francona said. ``He's very competitive and looks like he enjoys this atmosphere.'' Kielty said he was just happy to be playing for a division-leader. ``It's been a great time so far,'' he said. ``They've really accepted me. It's a great situation to be in, coming from non-contender to a contender.'' ... The Red Sox scored 14 runs without hitting any home runs Saturday. Boston is 17th in baseball with 124 homers on the season, yet has a major league-leading 79 wins. ``The bigger number to me, (rather) than the home runs, is what our win total is,'' Francona said. ``There are different ways to win. You take the team you have and try to play the best baseball that you can.'' ... Mike Lowell had four hits Saturday and is 9-for-14 in the three games against Chicago. ... Kielty is now 17-for-46 (.370) with 10 RBIs in his career against Mark Buehrle.

CHICAGO: Manager Ozzie Guillen said he was to blame for the White Sox's swift decline from World Series winners two years ago to a team that is 17 games under for the first time since 1999. ``I'm the face of the ball club,'' Guillen said Saturday, calling the season the hardest of his career, including his days as a player and a coach. ``I feel like we let a lot of people down,'' he added. ``I take full responsibility.'' ... DH Jim Thome sat out a third straight game but said his sore back had improved greatly and he hoped to play Sunday. ... Rookie John Danks, who hasn't won in August, will get another chance next week in Texas. He'll stay in the rotation and pitch against the Rangers next Thursday. Texas is the team that traded him to the White Sox in the offseason. ... Reliever Ryan Bukvich has not recorded an out in his last four appearances, having faced nine batters. ... Mark Buehrle is 0-3 with a 6.45 ERA in his last four starts.

SAN DIEGO: The Padres will recall RHP Tim Stauffer from Triple-A Portland to make the start on Sunday. Stauffer replaces RHP Chris Young, who will miss a start because of inflammation in his lower back. ... OF Milton Bradley was heckled during batting practice by a group of fans. Bradley shouted back before taking his cuts and going back to the clubhouse. Bradley homered twice and knocked in a career-high six runs in Friday's 14-3 win. Bradley angered fans when, after his second homer, he bowed to the crowd in left field. ... The Padres' season-high 22 hits on Friday was the club's highest total since a franchise record-tying 24 hits on August 12, 2003.

PHILADELPHIA: Manager Charlie Manuel held a closed-door team meeting before the game. ``I just wanted to talk to my guys,'' he said. ``I wanted to remind the team of some things. The mood is fine. I think they know what they have to do.'' Manuel said that several players also addressed the team, but wouldn't identify them. ... 2B Chase Utley played his third game with Double-A Reading on his rehab assignment for a broken hand. Although rumors swirled around that Utley would rejoin the Phillies on Sunday, Manuel said Utley would probably return Monday. ... RHP Adam Eaton (sore right shoulder) said he would make Tuesday's start against the New York Mets. ``As far as I know, that's the plan,'' Eaton said. Manuel said that he would talk to pitching coach Rich Dubee about Eaton's status for Tuesday.

FLORIDA: RHP Byung-Hyun Kim rejoined the Marlins, signing as a free agent 10 days after the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment. Kim will get a couple of appearances out of the bullpen before moving into the rotation. ... RHP reliever Ross Wolf was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. The 24-year-old rookie was called up on Aug. 9 and made two appearances, giving up three hits and two runs in one combined inning. ... 1B Mike Jacobs extended his hitting streak to six games.

CINCINNATI: SS Dave Concepcion had his No. 13 retired by the franchise during a pregame ceremony. Concepcion's number was the eighth retired by the Reds, joining those of manager Fred Hutchinson (1), Johnny Bench (5), Joe Morgan (8), manager Sparky Anderson (10), Ted Kluszewski (18), Frank Robinson (20) and Tony Perez (24). Jackie Robinson's No. 42 has been retired by Major League Baseball. ... SS Alex Gonzalez wore No. 13 to honor Concepcion. Gonzalez wasn't in the starting lineup. ... RHP reliever Todd Coffey was optioned back to Triple-A Louisville to open a roster spot for RHP Matt Belisle, who started the game. Coffey was called up on Friday but didn't appear in a 5-3 win over the Marlins.

PITTSBURGH: RHP Salomon Torres was placed on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, the same injury that forced him onto the DL on June 10. Torres said it's not as bad this time. ``It's in the same area,'' Torres said. ``But it's nothing compared to before. It's just a little sore now.'' .... LHP Shane Youman threw a bullpen session before Friday's game, then figured he was finished for the day, took off his cleats and sat in the dugout the first 10 innings of the Pirates games with the Astros. He was surprised to be asked to pitch in the 14th inning. ``I was chilling with my running shoes on,'' said Torres, who pitched two innings and took the victory in the 8-3 decision. ``I had to put my cleats on fast.'' ....Tracy said Youman and Matt Capps, who also threw two late innings Friday, would not be available to pitch Saturday.

HOUSTON: Manager Phil Garner admits he wasn't sure what the rule was on having five infielders with one directly behind the pitcher, as Pittsburgh used in the 10th inning Friday night while Hunter Pence was at bat. Garner stopped the game for several minutes while he conferred with umpires who eventually made Pirates right fielder Jose Bautista, who had been moved into the infield by Pirates manager Jim Tracy, move from behind reliever Shawn Chacon. ``I don't think you can line up right behind the pitcher if you're on the infield grass,'' Garner said. ``It blocks the view of the hitter. That's all I said.'' .... Garner remembers RHP Troy Patton, who was called up to start Saturday's game, from Patton's high school days when he played at nearby Tomball. Garner was managing the Detroit Tigers then but lived in Houston in the off-season. ``I saw him pitch in high school in a fall game,'' Garner said. ``He was better than anybody I had at Detroit then. Seriously.''

ATLANTA: If nothing else, Atlanta has been consistent. Heading into Saturday night's game in St. Louis, the Braves were 20-20 since the All-Star break. The team is 11-11 in August, after going 13-13 in July, 13-15 in June and 14-14 in May. ... Andruw Jones, who hit .211 in the first half, continued his recent surge with a second-inning single Saturday night. He is hitting .381 (8-for-21) on the Braves' road trip. ... Tim Hudson drove in his eighth run with a two-out single in the second inning Saturday that gave the Braves' a 1-0 lead.

ST. LOUIS: Manager Tony La Russa continued his practice of hitting the pitcher eighth, even though starter Joel Pineiro was seeking his first hit and ninth-place man Aaron Miles was hitting .294. La Russa has hit the pitcher eighth since Aug. 4. ... Albert Pujols ended an 0-for-9 skid with a first-inning single. ... Miles started in place of rookie Brendan Ryan, who had his six game hitting streak snapped last night.

WASHINGTON: LHP John Lannan will be sent down to Triple-A Columbus early next week. ``We're shutting him down, but there's nothing wrong with him,'' manager Manny Acta said. ``He will be brought back in September.'' ... Acta said RHP Jason Bergmann (left hamstring tightness) would be activated from the DL in time to start Tuesday's game against the Dodgers. ``He will join us in LA,'' Acta said. ... Acta isn't concerned about closer Chad Cordero, who didn't retire any of the five hitters he faced in the ninth inning Friday night when Washington blew a four-run lead. ``He's human,'' Acta said. ``He's not perfect.''

COLORADO: RHP Aaron Cook (strained left oblique muscle) will throw a simulated game Tuesday in San Francisco. ... He's scheduled to have a bullpen session on Sunday. ... OF Willy Taveras (strained right quad) sprinted without pain in the outfield before Saturday's game. ... Manager Clint Hurdle saw glimpses of the roller coaster ride of this year's team in Friday's win. ``The two errors in the seventh inning was a snapshot of when this team has struggled this year,'' Hurdle said. ``The comeback win was a snapshot of when this team has done well.'' ... Hurdle thought the Rockies have a winning stretch left in it. ``This team knows it can put together wins,'' he said.

MILWAUKEE: LHP Chris Capuano thinks he'll get back into the starting rotation, despite absorbing his franchise tying 11th straight loss on Friday night. He made his first relief appearance in four years, spanning 106 starts. ``I was available on Wednesday,'' Capuano said. ``I cut back on my lifting, doing it after the game. I fell in line with all the other relievers and watched what they did. I learned from them the best I can.'' ... The Brewers need one more win against the Giants to clinch their third straight season series against them. Until the streak started in 2005, the Brewers had won the series twice in the previous seven years. ... Milwaukee has lost 12 games in which it has led by at least three runs, the most in the majors.

SAN FRANCISCO: 2B Ray Durham will likely miss 2-3 days because of a mild left hamstring strain suffered during Friday night's win. Kevin Frandsen was in the lineup on Saturday and manager Bruce Bochy said Rich Aurilia will play second on Sunday. ... Going into Saturday, RHP Brad Hennessey carried the fourth-longest active save streak in the NL. He's saved 10 straight, one behind co-leaders Manny Corpas of Colorado, St. Louis' Jason Isringhausen and Los Angeles' Takashi Saito. It's the longest run by a Giants closer since Robb Nen saved 12 straight during the 2002 season. ... RHP Tim Lincecum enters Sunday's start 10 strikeouts short of seventh place on the franchise single-season rookie list. He's behind Cliff Melton's 142 strikeouts in 1937.