Notes from Wednesday’s games

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Blue Jays-Tigers
TORONTO: Manager John Gibbons kept lefty 1B Lyle Overbay in the lineup Wednesday against Detroit LHP Nate Robertson and said he might continue using him against southpaws in future games. … DH Frank Thomas’ single in Monday’s season opener extended his opening-day hitting streak to 13 games. It’s the major leagues’ best among active players, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It’s the longest such streak since Will Clark hit safely in 14 straight opening days from 1986 to 2000. … OF Matt Stairs, who played 14 games with the Tigers last season, ran to the home team’s side of the field before Wednesday’s game to receive his AL championship ring.
DETROIT: Hours before the Tigers received their AL championship rings, manager Jim Leyland was bragging on something else. “Notice anything different?” he asked reporters before pointing to an Ecoquest air purifying system recently installed in his office. Sure enough, his office at Comerica Park didn’t smell of cigarette smoke, as it did during last season, his first with the Tigers. Leyland is never far from a pack of Marlboro filters during his daily chats with the media. … Leyland’s AL championship ring came two years after he was given one to celebrate St. Louis’ 2004 NL title. He was an assistant to Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty that season. … RHP Jose Mesa will be available Thursday after serving a two-game suspension for a beanball incident last season while he was with Colorado. … Curtis Granderson’s grand slam in Wednesday’s 10-9 win over Toronto was Detroit’s first since Brandon Inge hit one last Sept. 15 off Baltimore’s Sandy Rleal. … Manager Jim Leyland was unhappy that three of the Tigers’ first four series, when the chances for rainouts often are better than normal, were against teams the club doesn’t play more than once.
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Indians-White Sox
. C Victor Martinez reached base in all six of his plate appearances. He was 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. … RHP Jake Westbrook was 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA against Chicago in 2006, but struggled Wednesday, giving up seven runs and two homers in five innings. “It was a frustrating day in the sense that I felt good, I felt like I was locating my pitches,” he said. “I just made some mistakes that cost a lot of runs.”
first three in 2003.
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Rangers-Angels
TEXAS: The Rangers stranded 23 runners while being swept by the Angels in their season-opening series. … Texas also started 0-3 in 2002, but before that, the Rangers’ last such start was in 1993. … The Rangers are off Thursday and play their home opener Friday against Boston. … OF-DH Sammy Sosa got Wednesday off. The 38-year-old Sosa, coming back after sitting out the 2006 season, went 1-for-7 and struck out three times in the opening two games in Anaheim.
LOS ANGELES: The Angels hit .337 in the opening series against the Rangers, and Los Angeles pitchers posted a 1.67 ERA. … Ervin Santana upped his record to 20-5 at Angel Stadium with Wednesday’s win in the 5-3 victory over Texas. … Vladimir Guerrero was the DH instead of in his usual spot in right field, with Angels manager Mike Scioscia saying he intended to use some of the veteran players in the DH role when the team plays a day game after a night contest. Reggie Willits started in right and went 1-for-3.
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Red Sox-Royals
BOSTON: Temperatures were expected to dip into the 40s Thursday afternoon, adding a new element to the much-anticipated major league debut of RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka. Pitching coach John Farrell said the former Japanese star pitched in cold weather in Japan, even though his home stadium was a dome. “But the one great thing about pitching on a cold day is the warmest guy in the field is the starting pitcher,” Farrell said. … On Monday, Hideki Okajima became the third pitcher in Red Sox history to allow a home run to the first batter he faced in the major leagues. He’s the 91st pitcher in baseball history to do so.
KANSAS CITY: The Royals placed closer Octavio Dotel on the 15-day DL on Wednesday. He has a strained muscle on his left, non-throwing side. Manager Buddy Bell said the problem is not considered long-term. RHP David Riske will close in his absence. … When Tony Pena Jr. hit two triples Monday, he became the first major leaguer to do so on opening day since Tommy Henrich of the New York Yankees on April 15, 1950. … The game-time temperature Wednesday night was in the 40s, a drop from Monday afternoon’s sunny opening day reading of almost 30 degrees.
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Orioles-Twins
ioles allowed five stolen bases in Tuesday night’s loss, and Perlozzo hoped that they would fare better on Wednesday night with Jaret Wright on the mound rather than Daniel Cabrera, who has a long, slow delivery. “Nine times out of 10, you’re stealing off the pitcher and not the catcher.”
MINNESOTA: It didn’t take long for mischievous manager Ron Gardenhire to break out the hijinx. Two days after watching Metrodome security guards chase around a fan who ran on the field, Gardenhire and coaches Steve Liddle, Jerry White and Joe Vavra donned “Twins Security” jackets and chased around a ballboy in the outfield during batting practice. The four coaches stumbled around and tripped over each other in a hilarious scene. “I had fun with (the guards) over the winter and was laughing with them and told them, `I’ll show you how it’s done,”’ Gardenhire said. … INF Jeff Cirillo took an injection in his sore knee Tuesday and will rest for the next few days before probably playing this weekend, Gardenhire said. … OF Jason Tyner received plenty of grief for stumbling into second base on a steal Tuesday night. “It was even funnier today on ESPN than it was last night,” RHP Sidney Ponson teased.
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Athletics-Mariners
OAKLAND: RHP Dan Haren spent a few minutes before beginning his usual between-starts bullpen session pitching on flat ground in the outfield. In the sixth inning of his season-opening start Monday, Haren’s left, plant foot slipped after a pitch to Kenji Johjima. Haren said he felt a pain in his right hip flexor, a reminder of a “tweak” he sustained while “lifting or running or something” during an offseason workout last winter. Haren, who was 14-13 last season, said he “felt fine” during Wednesday’s workout and he is ready to pitch Saturday at the Los Angeles Angels with “no restrictions.” … Manager Bob Geren said 1B Dan Johnson, on the 15-day disabled list, obtained “several orthopedic opinions” before being told surgery wasn’t required on the torn labrum cartilage in his left hip. Johnson will start physical therapy at the team’s spring training facility in Phoenix, but Geren said he had no idea when Johnson may begin baseball work – let alone when he might play again. He’s due to come off the DL on April 10.
a single, prompting closer J.J. Putz to get up in the bullpen. “It was definitely nerve racking,” Morrow said. Twelve months ago, Morrow was a junior pitching for the University of California. “Yeah, a little more comfortable out there at Evans Diamond in Berkeley (Calif.),” he said. … Manager Mike Hargrove said RF Jose Guillen’s sore ankle is “getting better everyday,” meaning he soon may not have to remove Guillen with Jason Ellison for late-inning defense. Ellison, acquired from San Francisco in a trade Sunday, filled that role in each of his first two games with the Mariners.
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
Marlins-Nationals
orrectly, he’d get on people,” Gonzalez said. “He takes a lot of pride in doing stuff the right way.” … RHP Matt Lindstrom made his major league debut and faced one batter, getting 3B Ryan Zimmerman on a long fly ball to end the seventh.
WASHINGTON: LHP Matt Chico allowed six runs in four-plus innings, including three homers, in his major league debut – and first appearance above Double-A – but avoided taking the loss when Washington rallied in the ninth. “It’s definitely a learning experience. It’s not what I wanted to do, coming out in my first start,” Chico said. Said manager Manny Acta: “He’s tough to read. You’re in the clubhouse talking to him, and you don’t know if he feels real bad because he gave it up or he feels real good because we won. That’s good.” … C Jesus Flores made his major league debut, too, grounding out as a pinch-hitter. He’d never played above Class-A. … Rookie LF Kory Casto got his first major league RBI. … INF D’Angelo Jimenez was called up from Triple-A Columbus. … Felipe Lopez shifted from 2B to SS, and Ronnie Belliard started at 2B. Washington started three SSs in its first three games; Cristian Guzman is on the 15-day DL after hurting his hamstring in Game 1.
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Diamondbacks-Rockies
ARIZONA: OF Carlos Quentin (torn left labrum) played long toss before the game with no problems, manager Bob Melvin said. … RHP Jeff DaVanon (ankle, shoulder) ran in the outfield and took batting practice from the left side only. … LHP Doug Davis made his Arizona debut Wednesday, giving up three unearned runs in five innings. He was upset with his five walks. “The five walks are inexcusable,” he said. “It can’t happen again.” … OF Eric Byrnes had seven hits and four RBIs in the three-game series.
COLORADO: RHP Rodrigo Lopez earned his first victory since Aug. 17 in an 11-4 win over Arizona on Wednesday. Lopez led the majors with 18 losses for Baltimore last season. “I was pretty much confident in what I was doing,” Lopez said. … The Rockies’ pitching staff issued no walks in the game Wednesday. … OF Matt Holliday had four hits, including his first home run of the season, and four RBIs Wednesday. … INF/OF Jeff Baker has pinch hits in three straight games. … INF Todd Helton had two RBIs Wednesday and is two shy of 1,000 for his career. … Colorado won its 600th home game with 64 coming in Mile High Stadium and the rest in Coors Field.
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Braves-Phillies
ATLANTA: RHP Kyle Davies likely will be recalled from Triple-A Richmond to start against the Mets on Sunday. Lance Cormier was slated to make the start, but his sore shoulder could land him on the disabled list later this week. … LHP Chuck James (11-4, 3.78 in 2006) starts the series finale Thursday afternoon. … Edgar Renteria was only the third Braves player to hit two homers on opening day, joining Joe Torre (1966) and Fred McGriff (1995).
PHILADELPHIA: RHP Adam Eaton makes his Phillies debut Thursday, 11 years after the team selected him in the first round of the amateur draft. Eaton was traded to San Diego before throwing a pitch for the Phillies and returned in the offseason, signing a three-year, $24.5 million contract. He struggled in spring training, but manager Charlie Manuel is confident Eaton will be fine. “From what I’ve seen, his stuff is there and his arm is there,” Manuel said. “He has to do a better job with his command.”… RHP Freddy Garcia (biceps tendinitis) and C Chris Coste (hamstring) will begin rehab assignments in Clearwater on Thursday and RHP Jon Lieber (oblique) will start his Friday.
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Cubs-Reds
h a 4.76 ERA. … It was 39 degrees at the first pitch Wednesday, 33 degrees colder than for the opener Monday.
CINCINNATI: LHP Eric Milton threw to some of the Reds’ hitters before the game. Milton, on the disabled list because of a sore back, is expected to be activated and start Sunday’s game against the Phillies. … Ken Griffey Jr. batted fifth for the first time since May 6-8, 2004. He has usually batted third or fourth with the Reds. … Griffey got permission from commissioner Bud Selig to wear Jackie Robinson’s retired No. 42 on April 15, the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier. Griffey also wore No. 42 on the 50th anniversary.
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Pirates-Astros
uts Tuesday were the most by a Pittsburgh player since Kip Wells had 12 in July 2005.
HOUSTON: RF Luke Scott was out of the lineup for the second straight day Wednesday with a hyperexteded right elbow. Manager Phil Garner said he doesn’t think it’s serious and hopes he’ll be ready to play Friday when the Astros open their series with the Cardinals. “I’m a little concerned,” he said. “I don’t know how long he might be out or can’t throw. When you’re carrying 12 pitchers and you only have one guy that’s not a full player it does limit you.” … First-year Astro Carlos Lee said how he’s hitting isn’t as important to him as how the team does. “I know I’m going to hit,” he said. “I don’t feel uncomfortable right now or like I’m trying to do too much. I’m very confident in myself. I could go 0-for-4, but if we get the win that would be even better.”
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Dodgers-Brewers
ve any decision to be made on the pitchers, I’ll call upstairs (to the press box) and see what you guys think we ought to do first.”
MILWAUKEE: The Brewers host the Cubs in a three-game series, starting Friday. Dave Bush will take the mound for Milwaukee. … Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench, who will platoon in left field for a majority of the season, both started Wednesday night. Jenkins started in left, and Mench started in right for Corey Hart. … Wednesday also marked the debut of RHP Jeff Suppan, who signed a four-year, $42 million deal with the Brewers in the offseason. Suppan came in with a 5-0 record with a 1.76 ERA at Miller Park. … Green Bay Packers LB A.J. Hawk took batting practice before the game, and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … The Brewers are the only team in baseball to start the season 2-0 in each of the last four seasons.
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Mets-Cardinals
on a routine fly ball with two men on to end the eighth in Tuesday’s 4-1 victory. … The Mets opened with two wins for the first time since 1994, when they won three straight at Chicago. They had a fast start last year, too, going 8-1. The Mets’ first nine games are against contenders, with three in Atlanta starting Friday followed by three against the Phillies in the home-opening series. “Why not play the best?” manager Willie Randolph said. “Why not challenge yourself early?”
believe everything you read.”
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Padres-Giants
SAN DIEGO: CF Mike Cameron, like Reds slugger Ken Griffey Jr., will wear jersey No. 42 on April 15 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day on the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball. Griffey also wore Robinson’s retired number on the 50th anniversary. When Cameron heard about Griffey’s plan and that he received permission from the commissioner’s office to do it, he also wanted to be a part of it. “It’s good – 60 years is unbelievable,” Cameron said. … GM Kevin Towers isn’t sure quite what to make of the Padres’ slogan for the season “Experience It.” “I don’t know who came up with that. ‘Experience It?”’ Towers said with a shrug in a lighthearted chat with reporters in the clubhouse before the game. “Experience what? I like ‘Keep the Faith.’ I still sign that on baseballs.” … Wednesday starter Chris Young had history on his side. The RHP went 6-0 with an NL-best 2.41 ERA on the road last season in 15 starts. He was 9-0 with 15 no-decisions in his last 24 road starts dating to June 25, 2005.
SAN FRANCISCO: The commissioner’s office has asked Barry Zito to change his glove because of its two-toned laces in black and tan. A picture was taken of Zito’s glove during spring training for evaluation to determine whether it would be a distraction to hitters. On Wednesday, Giants equipment manager Mike Murphy was meticulously removing the tan laces and replacing them with black. “Can you believe that?” Zito asked. … SS Omar Vizquel hasn’t spoken to the Giants about an extension past this season as he had hoped would happen, but he won’t let it affect him. “I figure I will just play my game and whatever happens next year happens,” said Vizquel, who turns 40 on April 24. … Manager Bruce Bochy met with Zito to tell the team’s new ace LHP that he doesn’t plan to regularly pull him after only five innings. “He said, `I trust you,”’ Bochy said of the conversation. “It’s going to be an adjustment for him in the National League.”