MLB News and Notes May - 15

MLB changes playoff schedule
May 14th, 2007

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Major League Baseball announced a few changes to its postseason schedule Monday, and one of them could have the World Series end in November for the second time in history.

Due to new television contracts, the World Series will now start on Wednesday, October 24, and if there are no rainouts and the series is extended to the limit, Game 7 would be on Thursday, November 1.

The only other time the Fall Classic ended in November was in 2001 when the terrorist attacks delayed the postseason. In that World Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees in seven games, with the final contest taking place on November 4.

Cable stations TNT and TBS will join the postseason fray to televise games. The Division Series will air predominantly on TBS, with additional games on TNT. The National League Championship Series, to be broadcast by TBS, is scheduled to start on Thursday, October 11, with the American League Championship Series beginning the following day, Friday, October 12 on FOX.

The playoffs start on Wednesday, October 3, with three of the four Division Series in play. One of the two American League Division Series will begin on Thursday, October 4. Also, any decisive fifth game of a Division Series will now be preceded by an off-day.

"Major League Baseball is pleased to make these amendments to the postseason schedule," said MLB President & Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy. "Starting the World Series in the middle of the week, when television viewership is historically higher, will provide more fans with the opportunity to watch the games. The additional off-days throughout the postseason will give us greater flexibility to facilitate travel and protect against poor weather."

The last possible game of the LCS would be Sunday, October 21, giving players an extra day before the start of the World Series in comparison to years past. The Fall Classic has generally started on a Saturday since 1985 when the LCS was expanded to a best-of-seven format.

Cordero returns, Hill put on DL
Mon, May 14, 2007
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals placed right-hander Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list Monday with an injured left shoulder, and closer Chad Cordero took his roster spot.

Cordero was reinstated from the bereavement list before Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves after spending the previous five days with his ailing grandmother, who died Thursday.

Hill, who was removed from Friday's game with Florida after throwing five no-hit innings, had two MRI exams on Monday, one on his left shoulder and the other on his right elbow. The test on his throwing elbow revealed no ligament damage, but the shoulder exam revealed a partial dislocation, a minor tear in his labrum and some torn cartilage. He will rest for the next 10 to 14 days before possibly starting a throwing program.

Hill injured his shoulder while running the bases last month. His right elbow became sore because he was overcompensating for his injured shoulder.

With a 3-3 record and 2.70 ERA, Hill has been one of Washington's most effective starters this season.

''It wasn't like someone ran into me,'' Hill said. ''I basically did it to myself - stupid play. So it's definitely frustrating, especially because things were going pretty well. You'd like to just keep on going. Now you've got to shut it down and gear it back up, and you never know how things go.''

Cordero has blown four saves in eight chances this season and a 4.70 ERA. He said he was distracted by his grandmother's health problems early in the season.

''I was thinking about it a lot, probably a little too much,'' Cordero said. ''I wasn't able to stay focused. But now that it's over with, I'll be fine.''

Manager Manny Acta said he will ease Cordero back into the closer's role. For the next few games, he plans to use Cordero in the middle innings.

''I could tell just by talking to him he's a totally different guy,'' Acta said. ''He's totally refreshed, and his face reflects no worries or anything.''

Baseball Today
By The Associated Press
May 15, 2007

Cincinnati at San Diego (10:05 p.m. EDT). Jake Peavy, who is 5-1 with a 1.52 ERA, starts for the Padres.

STARS
-- Jason Bergmann, Nationals, struck out 10 and took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of Washington's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

-- Tom Gorzelanny, Pirates, struck out five in seven scoreless innings to lead Pittsburgh over Florida 7-0.

-- Troy Glaus, Blue Jays, hit a go-ahead two-run homer to help Toronto rally past Baltimore 5-3.

-- Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox, pitched his first complete game in the major leagues, giving up six hits and striking out five in a 7-1 victory over Detroit.

-- Greg Maddux, Padres, pitched a five-hitter for his first complete game in two years and San Diego beat Cincinnati 7-1. ^TOSSING ZEROES=

Jason Bergmann took a bid for a no-hitter into the eighth inning and got his first major league win as a starter, leading Washington over Atlanta 2-1 Monday night. He struck out 10 and walked one to get his first win since Sept. 15, 2005. ... Greg Maddux had a perfect game through 5 1-3 innings in San Diego's 7-1 win over Cincinnati. Maddux ended up surrendering five hits in his 109th career complete game, his first since 2005, to earn his 336th career win.

RED HOT
After defeating Detroit 7-1 Monday night, Boston holds an 8 1/2 -game division lead over New York, its biggest since it held the same margin after play on Sept. 26, 1995. The win dropped the idle Yankees 8 1/2 games back, their largest deficit since they trailed by nine games after play on May 7, 2005. ^STREAKS=

Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 17 games in Cincinnati's 7-1 loss Monday night to San Diego. ... Oakland's Dan Johnson extend his hitting streak to 14 games in a 2-1 loss to Kansas City. ... Mark Teixeira stretched his hitting streak to 12 games in Texas' 7-2 loss to Los Angeles. ... Washington has won four straight, all at home, following an eight-game skid on the road after beating Atlanta 2-1. ... Daisuke Matsuzaka won his fourth straight decision in Boston's 7-1 victory over Detroit. ... St. Louis topped Los Angeles 8-3 to earn their 10th straight victory over the Dodgers going back to 2005. ^SNAPPED=

Jamie Moyer gave up five runs and nine hits in 6 1-3 innings in Philadelphia's 8-6 win Monday night over Milwaukee. It was the first time Moyer didn't have a quality start -- three earned runs or fewer and at least six innings -- in eight outings this year. ... Jimmy Rollins broke an 0-for-14 slide with a sixth-inning single in the win.

SPEAKING
"It wasn't like it was a big deal. You try to limit the number of hits you give up. If it's zero, it's fine. I wasn't going for the no-hitter at all." -- Washington right-hander Jason Bergmann, on his bid for a no-hitter in a 2-1 win over Atlanta. Bergmann didn't give up a hit until the eighth inning and struck out 10 to earn the victory.

Braves RP Bob Wickman (back strain) will return to his role as closer when he is activated from the DL on Tuesday.

Marlins 1B Mike Jacobs said that he has been playing since April 20 with a broken thumb and will be put on the DL.

Nats activate Williams
May 15th, 2007

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals activated starting pitcher Jerome Williams from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.

Williams, who was placed on the DL on April 29 with a sprained left ankle, is slated to start Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

The 25-year-old is 0-4 with a 6.11 earned run average in five starts this season. He made one rehab start in Buffalo last Thursday and allowed one run on four hits in six innings, but did not factor in the decision.

Washington opened a roster spot after Monday's game when infielder/outfielder Kory Casto was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Casto has batted .130 with three RBI in 16 games during two separate stints with the Nationals this season.

Rangers' Millwood goes back on DL
May 15th, 2007

Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kevin Millwood has landed back on the 15-day disabled list.

Texas activated Millwood from the DL on Monday, but the right- hander aggravated his strained left hamstring and lasted just five outs in an eventual 7-2 loss to the LA Angels of Anaheim.

Millwood threw 45 pitches, just 24 for strikes, before Texas manager Ron Washington removed him from the game in the second inning. He gave up four runs on three hits and walked three batters.

Millwood was originally put on the 15-day disabled list on May 5 (retroactive to April 29) with the injury.

The Rangers also placed pitcher Ron Mahay on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a right rib cage strain. That move is retroactive to May 12.

To take the roster spots of Millwood and Mahay, Texas recalled pitchers Scott Feldman and A.J. Murray from Triple-A Oklahoma.

Athletics place P Street on DL
May 15th, 2007

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics placed closer Huston Street on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with irritation in his right ulnar nerve.

The move is retroactive to May 13.

The 23-year old Street is 2-1 with nine saves and a 2.50 earned run average in 18 appearances this season.

Cardinals receive RHP Wellemeyer
May 15th, 2007

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday were awarded the contract of right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer on an outright waiver claim from the Kansas City Royals.

Wellemeyer, who was designated for assignment last week by KC, was 0-1 with a lofty 10.34 ERA in 12 games this season.

Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round in 2000, Wellemeyer was solid out of the bullpen for the Royals last season when he posted a 3.63 ERA in 28 appearances. He had been with Florida but was claimed off of waivers by the Royals in early June.