MLB News and Notes May - 20

Baseball Today
May 20, 2007

Boston at New York (7:05 p.m. EDT). Tim Wakefield squares off against Chien-Ming Wang.

-David Wright, Mets, hit two homers in a 10-7 victory over the Yankees.

-Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays, drove in four runs with a triple and homer in a 13-2 win over the Phillies.

-Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers, hit a three-run homer in an 8-7 victory over St. Louis.

-Jay Payton, Orioles, hit a two-run double in the 11th inning to help Baltimore edge Washington 3-2.

-Jack Cust, Athletics, hit a three run-homer to lead Oakland past San Francisco 4-2.

The Cubs made another late comeback in the Windy City series, using a six-run eighth inning highlighted by a pinch-hit grand slam by Derrek Lee to send the White Sox to a staggering 11-6 defeat. On Friday, the Cubs rallied for a 6-3 victory, using a passed ball to score the go-ahead run in a two-out, three-run seventh-inning rally. ... Arizona tied a franchise record by rallying from six runs down for a 9-8 victory over Pittsburgh. The Diamondbacks' five-run seventh inning was their biggest this season.

Daisuke Matsuzaka earned his sixth win of the season and helped Boston defeat Atlanta 13-3 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The Red Sox weren't as fortunuate in the nightcap. John Smoltz earned his 199th career victory and the Braves had 12 extra-base hits as they handed the Red Sox their worst shutout loss in 17 years, 14-0 to split the doubleheader.

Derrek Lee hit a pinch-hit grand slam to lift the Cubs over the White Sox 11-6 Saturday. ... Tony Clark hit a pinch-hit grand slam to help Arizona rally to defeat Pittsburgh 9-8.

Brandon Phillips extended his hitting streak to 21 games, leading Cincinnati over Cleveland 10-5. ... Randy Winn extended his hitting streak to 18 games in San Francisco's 4-1 loss to Oakland. ... Jorge Posada extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games in the Yankees' 10-7 loss to the Mets. Derek Jeter also pushed his hitting streak to 14 games in the loss. With the win, the Mets have won their last five series. ... Minnesota won its 12th straight interleague game, beating Milwaukee 5-2.

Brad Hawpe's two-run homer in the Rockies' 6-4 win over the Royals Saturday night ended Gil Meche's scoreless streak on the road at 30 innings - a run that spanned five starts. ... Arizona's Eric Byrnes had his 12-game hitting streak end in a 9-8 win over Pittsburgh.

``Just keep pushing him back.'' - Detroit slugger Gary Sheffield, on hitting his 463rd home run, moving him past Jose Canseco for 30th on baseball's all-time list. Canseco's book accused several stars of steroid use. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Sheffield testified in 2003 before the grand jury that he didn't knowingly take steroids while working out with Barry Bonds.

1926 - Earl Sheely of the Chicago White Sox hit three doubles and a home run against the Boston Red Sox. Sheely doubled in each of his last three at_bats the previous day to give him seven consecutive extra-base hits, tying a major league record. The six doubles in the two games also tied a major league record.

1943 - In the fastest nine-inning night game in American League history, the Chicago White Sox beat the Washington Senators 1-0, in one hour and 29 minutes.

1948 - Joe DiMaggio had two home runs, a triple, double and single to lead the New York Yankees to a 13-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

1952 - Duke Snider's home run highlighted a 15-run first inning in the Dodgers' 19-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds in Brooklyn. Snider, Pee Wee Reese and Billy Cox each made three plate appearances in the first inning.

1986 - Rafael Ramirez of Atlanta had four doubles in seven at_bats as the Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 9-8 in 13 innings.

1996 - Larry Walker drove in a career-high six runs, hitting a pair of two-run homers, a triple and a double in the Colorado Rockies' 12-10 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. His 13 total bases set a club record.

1997 - Roger Clemens earned his 200th career victory, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-1 win over the New York Yankees.

2000 - For the first time in baseball history, there were six grand slams in a single day. Anaheim's Garret Anderson hit the record breaker off Kansas City's Chris Fussell. J.T. Snow of San Francisco, Brian Hunter of Philadelphia, Jason Giambi of Oakland, and Los Angeles' Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green connected with the bases loaded before Anderson. The old mark of five was set in 1999.

2004 - Jose Cruz Jr. went 4-for-4 with a homer and three doubles, leading Tampa Bay to a 5-3 victory over Cleveland.

2005 - The Texas Rangers set two club records in an 18-3 rout of the Houston Astros. Texas got home runs from Rod Barajas, Hank Blalock, Laynce Nix and Mark Teixeira in an eight-run, four-homer second inning. Texas slugged a team-record eight homers total on the day, also receiving blasts from Kevin Mench, Richard Hidalgo and two from David Dellucci.

Today's birthdays: Josh Hamilton 26; Tom Martin 37.

Interleague Capsules
May 19, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -Tom Glavine closed within five wins of 300, while the New York Yankees lost yet another pitcher to injury.

David Wright hit a pair of two-run homers off reliever Mike Myers after Darrell Rasner broke his index finger in the first inning, and the Mets held off their fading Big Apple rivals 10-7 on Saturday for their second consecutive victory in the Subway Series.

The Yankees (18-23) lost for the seventh time in nine games and matched their low-water mark in a dismal season. The NL East-leading Mets have won nine of 11 overall.

Super sub Endy Chavez had four hits, one day after delivering the go-ahead homer. Staked to a six-run lead, Glavine (5-1) lasted six-plus innings for his 295th career victory.

All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano made three errors for the Yankees. He also homered, grounded into an inning-ending double play with two on and struck out with runners at the corners in the ninth.

Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada hit consecutive solo homers in the eighth for the Yankees.

Rasner (1-3) was struck on his pitching hand by Chavez's comebacker in the first, breaking a finger and making him the latest Yankees starter to go down with an injury.

Rasner (1-3) was struck on his pitching hand by Chavez's comebacker in the first, breaking a finger and making him the latest Yankees starter to go down with an injury.

CHICAGO (AP) - Derrek Lee, who'd missed the previous five games with neck spasms, punctuated a six-run eighth inning with a pinch-hit grand slam to lead the Cubs to a second straight comeback win over the White Sox.

Paul Konerko homered leading off the top of the eighth Saturday against Bob Howry (1-3) to put the White Sox up 6-5.

In the bottom of the inning, White Sox reliever David Aardsma (2-1) gave up a leadoff triple to Ryan Theriot. Alfonso Soriano lined an RBI single to tie the game, and scored the go-ahead run as Aramis Ramirez hit another triple.

Aardsma loaded the bases and was relieved by lefty Boone Logan. Lee was sent in as a pinch-hitter and drove a pitch over the wall in right center to send the Cubs fans among a crowd of 41,101 at Wrigley Field into a tizzy.

Aardsma loaded the bases and was relieved by lefty Boone Logan. Lee was sent in as a pinch-hitter and drove a pitch over the wall in right center to send the Cubs fans among a crowd of 41,101 at Wrigley Field into a tizzy.

Aardsma loaded the bases and was relieved by lefty Boone Logan. Lee was sent in as a pinch-hitter and drove a pitch over the wall in right center to send the Cubs fans among a crowd of 41,101 at Wrigley Field into a tizzy.

BOSTON (AP) - John Smoltz earned his 199th victory and Atlanta had 12 extra-base hits - one off the franchise record - as the Braves handed Boston its worst shutout loss in 17 years to split a day-night doubleheader.

The Red Sox took the opener as Daisuke Matsuzaka (6-2) won his fifth straight decision and Mike Lowell hit a grand slam.

Smoltz (6-2) allowed three hits and one walk in seven innings. He won for the first time since turning 40 last Tuesday. Smoltz remained unscored upon in all 20 2-3 innings he's pitched at Fenway Park. He struck out seven to move into 17th place on the career list with 2,833, one more than Mickey Lolich.

Boston's worst previous shutout loss was 16-0 to Minnesota on May 25, 1990.

The Braves won for the second time in seven games behind a 17-hit outburst. Kelly Johnson had a double, triple and homer and five RBIs. He lined out to right in the ninth inning, missing a chance to his for the cycle.

Smoltz got support from the start as Chipper Jones hit a solo homer, his 12th of the year, in the first. Boston's Devern Hansack, called up from Triple-A Pawtucket before the second game, dropped to 0-1 with the loss.

Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis and Wily Mo Pena also homered for the Red Sox in the opener. Anthony Lerew (0-2) was the loser.

Julio Lugo, Kevin Youkilis and Wily Mo Pena also homered for the Red Sox in the opener. Anthony Lerew (0-2) was the loser.

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Scott Baker pitched into the ninth inning in his first major league appearance this season and Minnesota won its 12th straight interleague game.

Torii Hunter hit a two-run homer off Dave Bush (3-4) in the second as the Twins beat their regional rival for the fifth time in a row.

The Brewers have lost seven of nine. Before the slump, they had the best record in the majors at 24-10.

Baker (1-0), who made the team out of spring training last season but faltered this March, earned his first victory since Aug. 17. He gave up six hits, leaving after Bill Hall's solo home run with one out in the ninth. J.J. Hardy hit his NL-leading 14th homer in the first, matching the home run total of his first two seasons.

Baker (1-0), who made the team out of spring training last season but faltered this March, earned his first victory since Aug. 17. He gave up six hits, leaving after Bill Hall's solo home run with one out in the ninth. J.J. Hardy hit his NL-leading 14th homer in the first, matching the home run total of his first two seasons.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Dontrelle Willis allowed two runs in seven innings, Jeremy Hermida and Aaron Boone homered on consecutive pitches in the sixth Florida beat Tampa Bay.

Willis (6-3) stopped a personal two-game losing streak. He gave up five hits, three walks and struck out seven.

Hermida hit a two-run homer off Jae Seo (2-4) to give the Marlins a 5-1 lead. Boone, who hit a grand slam in Florida's 8-4 win on Friday, then connected for his third homer of the season on the next pitch. Hanley Ramirez also homered for the Marlins.

Elijah Dukes and Jonny Gomes homered for the Devil Rays.

Elijah Dukes and Jonny Gomes homered for the Devil Rays.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Matt Stairs hit a grand slam, Lyle Overbay drove in four runs with a triple and homer and Toronto routed Philadelphia.

Troy Glaus also homered for the Blue Jays, who tagged Jamie Moyer for seven runs.

Stairs hit his 10th career grand slam during a six-run eighth inning against reliever Clay Condrey. It was the third home run of the year for Stairs, who went 3-for-5.

Shaun Marcum pitched six strong innings in his second start this year after 13 relief appearances. Marcum (2-2) allowed two runs, four hits and struck out six. He ran his hitless streak as a starter to 10 innings, before Chase Utley homered leading off the bottom of the fifth.

Moyer (4-3) allowed eight hits in 3 1-3 innings in his second consecutive subpar outing and his worst start since joining the Phillies last August.

Moyer (4-3) allowed eight hits in 3 1-3 innings in his second consecutive subpar outing and his worst start since joining the Phillies last August.

HOUSTON (AP) - Lance Berkman hit a two-run single after an umpire's missed call in the sixth inning, and Houston went on to beat Texas.

The Astros won for the seventh time in 10 home games. Texas has lost nine of 12.

Houston led 3-1 with two outs in the sixth when third-base umpire Tim Timmons called Mike Lamb safe even though third baseman Travis Metcalf clearly touched the bag to clearly force out Lamb. Texas manager Ron Washington argued, to no avail. Berkman and Carlos Leff followed with singles to make it 6-1.

John Koronka (0-1) gave up three runs in five innings to take the loss.

Wandy Rodriguez (2-3) allowed four hits and struck out seven in six innings.

Wandy Rodriguez (2-3) allowed four hits and struck out seven in six innings.

DETROIT (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez's three-run homer in the third inning gave Detroit a six-run lead, and some strong defensive plays helped the Tigers hold on to beat St. Louis.

Gary Sheffield hit a solo homer in the seventh, helping Detroit win the first two games of a three-game series between last year's World Series teams. The homer was the 463rd of Sheffield's career, moving him past Jose Canseco for 30th on baseball's all-time list.

Tigers closer Todd Jones got Scott Rolen to pop up to third with the bases loaded in the ninth for his 14th save in 16 chances.

Nate Robertson (4-3) allowed two runs, six hits and four walks for the victory.

Anthony Reyes (0-7) had another rough outing, giving up seven runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings for the Cardinals.

Anthony Reyes (0-7) had another rough outing, giving up seven runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings for the Cardinals.

CLEVELAND (AP) - Brandon Phillips hit a three-run homer against his former team and extended his hitting streak to 21 games, leading Cincinnati over Cleveland.

David Ross also hit a three-run homer as the Reds won for the second time in eight games.

Travis Hafner homered for Cleveland, which lost for the fourth time in 19 games at Jacobs Field.

Matt Belisle (4-3) allowed four runs in 5 2-3 innings for his first win since April 28. David Weathers worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth and pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Jeremy Sowers (0-4) remained winless in eight starts this season. He allowed seven runs and eight hits in six innings, leaving the lefty with a 7.13 ERA.

Jeremy Sowers (0-4) remained winless in eight starts this season. He allowed seven runs and eight hits in six innings, leaving the lefty with a 7.13 ERA.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Jay Payton's two-run double in the 11th inning and Baltimore rallied to beat Washington.

The Orioles trailed most of the game before tying it in the eighth on pinch-hitter Aubrey Huff's sacrifice fly to center.

Ramon Hernandez started the winning rally in the 11th with a leadoff walk off former Orioles right-hander Winston Abreu (0-1). Melvin Mora blooped a single to left and Payton lined a double into the left-field corner to score pinch-runner Freddie Bynum and Mora.

Orioles closer Chris Ray allowed a run in the bottom of the 11th on Tony Batista's RBI single. Ray retired Brian Schneider on a grounder to first for his 10th save. John Parrish (2-0) got the win with 1 1-3 innings of relief.

Orioles closer Chris Ray allowed a run in the bottom of the 11th on Tony Batista's RBI single. Ray retired Brian Schneider on a grounder to first for his 10th save. John Parrish (2-0) got the win with 1 1-3 innings of relief.

DENVER (AP) - Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins hit home runs off Gil Meche - the first earned runs the right-hander allowed on the road this season - as Colorado beat Kansas City.

Todd Helton also homered and scored three runs for the Rockies, who received an impressive start from Taylor Buchholz (2-2). The right-hander gave up an unearned run and scattered five hits over seven innings to win for the first time since April 18.

Meche (3-2) lasted five innings in his shortest outing of the season. He gave up eight hits and five runs while striking out three, and saw his ERA rise from 1.91 to 2.44.

Ryan Shealy hit a three-run homer off Ramon Ramirez with two outs in the ninth. Brian Fuentes came on and got pinch-hitter Esteban German to ground out for his 11th save.

NL Capsule
May 19, 2007

PITTSBURGH (AP) -Carlos Quentin's two-run single in the eighth inning finished off Arizona's franchise record-tying comeback, and the Diamondbacks rallied from six runs down with the help of Pittsburgh's ineffective bullpen for a 9-8 victory Saturday night.

Tony Clark's pinch-hit grand slam in the seventh tied it for Arizona.

The Diamondbacks, averaging 2.9 runs while previously going 6-10 this month, had only two previous six-run comebacks in their 10-season history - on May 2, 2006, against the Dodgers and Sept. 15, 1998, against the Giants.

Arizona's five relievers limited Pittsburgh to one run after starter Micah Owings left following 2 2-3 wild innings, with Doug Slaten (1-0) getting his first career victory with a scoreless seventh.

Jose Valverde finished up in the ninth, throwing only four pitches for his 15th save in 17 chances.

Mark Reynolds had three hits, including his first career homer, and Conor Jackson added a solo shot to start the five-run rally in the seventh.

Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny held Arizona to two runs during another effective start. He also helped himself during the Pirates' biggest inning of the season with a two-run single that helped them to a 7-1 lead during a six-run third.

Another injured pitcher for Yankees: Rasner breaks finger
May 19, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -Darrell Rasner left his outing against the Mets with a broken index finger Saturday that could sideline him three months, becoming the latest New York Yankees starter to go down with an injury.

Hit on the right hand by Endy Chavez's one-hopper, Rasner lasted only nine pitches. He left Shea Stadium to be examined by a hand specialist and surgery was recommended.

``It turned out to be a pretty bad break,'' general manager Brian Cashman said.

Starters Chien-Ming Wang and Mike Mussina have returned from hamstring problems, but the struggling Yankees are still waiting for Phil Hughes (hamstring) to get healthy and Roger Clemens to round into game shape.

Jeff Karstens is recovering from a broken leg and Carl Pavano is also sidelined - again - with an elbow injury.

Tyler Clippard is scheduled to start for the Yankees on Sunday night in the series finale. That would make him the fifth starting pitcher to make his major league debut for New York this season, and the seventh rookie to start. He would be the 11th starter overall used by the Yankees.

``To be honest, I wasn't thinking, `Oh no, not again,''' Cashman said. ``I wasn't really thinking about the rest of the stuff as much as I was just thinking about Darrell, and was he all right.''

Chavez's bouncer in the first inning deflected off Rasner's right hand and the ball rolled onto the grass behind the mound. Chavez reached on an infield single that put runners at the corners.

Yankees manager Joe Torre, pitching coach Ron Guidry and trainer Gene Monahan immediately came out to check on Rasner, along with the team's entire infield.

Rasner took a deep breath and tried a few warmup pitches. But when he threw a splitter on his fourth delivery, he hopped off the mound in obvious pain and grabbed his right hand before running into the dugout and down the steps toward the clubhouse.

Mike Myers, normally a left-handed specialist, replaced Rasner and was given as much time as he needed to warm up. On his way back to the dugout, Torre stopped for a chat with Cashman, who was sitting in a front-row seat near the on-deck circle.

``When he threw the splitter, that's when he really felt it,'' Torre said. ``It's something you have to deal with and move on.''

Myers allowed a shallow sacrifice fly to Carlos Beltran, then struck out Carlos Delgado before David Wright hit a long two-run homer. Wright connected for another two-run shot off Myers in the third, and the Mets went on to a 10-7 victory.

Rasner got his chance in the rotation mostly because of injuries to other starters. He pitched pretty well, though, going 1-3 with a 4.01 ERA in six starts - including the loss on Saturday.

``You feel for Razzer and all the other guys that have been hurt,'' Myers said. ``When guys go down you've got to have other guys step up and do the job, and I didn't do that tonight.''

Clemens pitched four innings for Class-A Tampa on Friday night, the first minor league start of his latest comeback. He is expected to join New York's rotation as early as May 28 at Toronto or June 2 or 3 at Boston.

The cause and timing of Rasner's injury was remarkably similar to Karstens' injury exactly three weeks before. On the rookie's first pitch in a late afternoon game against Boston, Karstens was hit on the side of his knee by Julio Lugo's line drive, breaking his right leg.

Karstens is expected to return this season.

Rangers place Hairston on 15-day disabled list
May 19, 2007

HOUSTON (AP) -The Texas Rangers placed infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a pinched nerve in his neck.

The Rangers called up left-handed pitcher John Koronka from Triple-A Oklahoma. Koronka was scheduled to make his first start of the season against the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

Hairston injured his neck Wednesday in an 11-8 loss to Tampa Bay. He's batting .234 with a homer and three RBIs in 23 games this season.

Marlins put Nolasco on DL
May 19, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -The Florida Marlins placed starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco on the 15-day disabled list because of right elbow inflammation Saturday.

This is the second time the right-hander has been on the DL this season. He missed most of April with inflammation in the elbow.

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said Nolasco, who is 1-2 with a 5.48 ERA, may not resume throwing for a week or so.

Florida purchased the contract of pitcher Justin Miller from Triple-A Albuquerque. The right-hander will work out of the bullpen.

Pitcher Jose Garcia, sidelined by a right elbow injury, was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

Wes Obermueller could make a spot start next Thursday or Friday for the Marlins.

Mauer not ready to return
MLB.com

MILWAUKEE -- Sunday marks the day that Joe Mauer is eligible to come off the disabled list.

As expected, Mauer will not be coming off that list.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Saturday that Mauer will likely need at least another week to 10 days. The Twins had doubted Mauer would be back on Sunday, but this was the first time it was confirmed that Mauer will need more time.

Mauer is still experiencing some stiffness in his leg. The catcher has begun to do some running and has hit during the team's early batting practice sessions. Still, there is a consensus not to rush Mauer back to prevent his injury from recurring.

"He's doing a lot of work right now," Gardenhire said. "He's been rehabbing during the games and everything else. It's just not quite where we want it yet."

Gardenhire hasn't gone much into how Mauer will be used in the lineup once he does return, but he will likely be alternating between catching and filling the designated hitter spot.

All-out aggressive: The message Twins coaches delivered to their pitching staff this past Thursday was clear -- throw strikes and get back to pitching aggressively.

The Twins have thrown a lot of walks for much of the season, ranking 12th in the American League in total number of walks issued. It's a trend that pitching coach Rick Anderson does not find acceptable. Last season, the Twins issued the fewest number of walks in the entire Major Leagues.

So far it seems the staff has been paying attention. Starters Johan Santana and Boof Bonser have combined to issue just two walks over their two starts, and the bullpen has not walked a batter in the past two games.

"I think we talked about the aggressiveness a few different times, but that doesn't always mean that when you make a point, it happens," Gardenhire said. "We talked about running bases better and we didn't do that, exactly. But when you get away from it and guys aren't out there playing too much defense, it doesn't make for good baseball. So we're trying to get the guys to throw the ball over the plate and let us catch the ball and get guys off the field."

Giants: Aurilia ready to play again

Rich Aurilia is expected to get back into game action on Sunday, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Giants: Durham should play Sunday

Ray Durham has missed two straight games due to a sore right hamstring. However, he is expected to return to the mix today, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Giants: Ortiz to return, work relief

Russ Ortiz is slated to come off the disabled list on Monday. However, manager Bruce Bochy said that Ortiz will pitch out of the bullpen, rather than return to the rotation, according to the Contra Costa Times. "He's versatile," Bochy said. "He could go long, he could help us out in the middle innings, he could help us out setting up. Every game you have a need, so it will be game by game how we use him."

Marlins: Tommy John surgery for Garcia

Jose Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery recently, so the Marlins placed him on the 60-day disabled list yesterday in order to clear a spot on their 40-man roster, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

Cubs: Lee a game-time call Sunday

It looks like Derrek Lee will be a game-time call on Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune. "The only thing that would stop me from playing is if I wake up and it feels worse from all the activity today," he said.

Tigers 2B Placido Polanco is not in the starting lineup; Neifi Perez is starting at second.

Reds CF Josh Hamilton (stomach) is not in the starting lineup; Norris Hopper is starting in center.

Tigers C Ivan Rodriguez (rest) is not in the starting lineup; Mike Rabelo is the starting catcher.

Mariners LF Raul Ibanez (back) has been downgraded to doubtful for today's game.

Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell (rest ) is not expected to start in today's game.

Orioles CF Corey Patterson (rest) is not expected to start in today's game.

D-Backs CF Chris Young (groin) will likely not be available until the club returns home Monday.

Braves place P Lerew on DL
May 20th, 2007

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves placed Anthony Lerew on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with ulnar neuritis, a day after the pitcher was knocked around in a 13-3 loss at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.

Lerew lacked control early and surrendered a leadoff homer to Julio Lugo before working his way out of a bases loaded, one-out jam. He lasted just one more inning, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks over two frames.

In three starts this season, Lerew is 0-2 with a 7.71 earned run average. To replace Lerew on the roster the Braves recalled infielder Martin Prado from their Triple-A affiliate in Richmond. Prado was batting .301 in 37 games with Richmond.

D-Backs CF Chris Young (groin) is not in the starting lineup; Carlos Quentin is starting in center.

Pirates 2B Jack Wilson (shoulder) is not in the starting lineup; Jose Castillo is starting at second.

Reds' Harang returns from bereavement list
May 20th, 2007

Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds returned pitcher Aaron Harang from the bereavement list on Sunday.

The Reds placed Harang on the bereavement list Thursday so he could be with his ailing grandfather in San Diego. He will make his scheduled start on Sunday in the finale of a three-game interleague series with the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field.

Harang is 5-1 with a 4.42 ERA in nine starts this season.

To make room on the roster, Cincinnati optioned infielder Jeff Keppinger to Triple-A Louisville.

The club also sent pitcher Bill Bray, on the disabled list since April 1 with a fractured left index finger to Sarasota of the Florida State League for a rehab assignment.

Pirates' Cota returns from DL
May 20th, 2007

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Humberto Cota returned to the club on Sunday after being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list.

Cota had been on the DL with a left shoulder strain, after suffering the injury in Pittsburgh's bullpen during the Pirates' marathon 16-inning win over Houston on April 19.

Cota hit .303 with three doubles and five RBI during an 11-game rehab stint at the Bucs' Triple-A affiliate at Indianapolis.

In a corresponding roster move, the Pirates optioned pitcher Brad Eldred to Indianapolis.