Notes from Sunday's games
TAMPA BAY: The Devil Rays have won 29 games since the All-Star break, one more than their pre-break total of 28. ... Florida manager Jack McKeon won his 1,000th major league game Saturday. Lou Piniella played on the Kansas City Royals when McKeon won his first game on April 7, 1973. ``I didn't play that well that year,'' said Piniella, who hit .250 that season. ``I held out that spring. I missed most of spring training and didn't recover. I don't think Jack was totally enthralled with me.'' The Royals traded Piniella after the season. ``It worked out great,'' he said. ... The Devil Rays are 20-49 on the road this season, but 12-14 since the All-Star break. TORONTO: The Blue Jays have lost each of their last five series, posting a 4-12 record over those 16 games. ... RHP Josh Towers is 4-2 with a 2.22 ERA in his last nine starts. ... The Blue Jays are 14-24 in one-run games. ... RHP Dave Bush has been the losing pitcher in both of the Blue Jays' 1-0 losses this season. The previous one was Aug. 13 at Baltimore.
Orioles-Red Sox
BALTIMORE: Miguel Tejada got his major league-leading 45th double when he drove in Baltimore's only run in the sixth. ... Rodrigo Lopez faced 13 batters through four innings, then pitched to nine in the fifth. ... Eric Byrnes is 13-for-76 in his last 22 games after going 0-for-3. ... C Geronimo Gil went 0-for-3 in his first game since coming off the disabled list Friday. He also threw out Johnny Damon at second when Boston's center fielder took too big a turn after his two-run double in the fifth.
BOSTON: Manager Terry Francona hoped Johnny Damon could play Monday against the Chicago White Sox after he jammed his left shoulder when he was thrown out sliding back into second after his two-run double. Gabe Kapler pinch-hit for Damon in the seventh and replaced him in center field. ... Boston has the best home record in the majors at 46-20. ... David Wells is 10-2 in his last 18 starts. ... John Olerud's homer was Boston's 33rd in its last 23 home games, 21 of them wins.
Tigers-White Sox
DETROIT: The Tigers were 2-7 on their road trip to Boston, Cleveland and the White Sox. ``It wasn't going to be easy, we knew that,'' manager Alan Trammell said. ``It's been a tough trip. That's not a shock. I hoped we'd win a few more games.'' ... Sean Douglass is out and Roman Colon in as a member of the starting rotation. Douglass was hit hard by the White Sox on Friday and Colon will come out of the bullpen and take his spot beginning Wednesday. Colon has pitched nine games in relief for the Tigers and made just four starts in 23 appearances for the Braves before being traded on July 31. ``I got to go for it and enjoy it,'' Colon said. Colon said being in the rotation will allow him to use his assortment of pitches more than out of the bullpen. What he does in this final month of another lost season for the Tigers could determine his assignment next season. ``I'm going to show what I have,'' he said. ``It's not just about now, but the future.'' ... Magglio Ordonez went 1-for-4 and is batting .571 against his former team with 12 hits in 21 at-bats. Since being reinstated from the disabled list on July 1, Ordonez has hit in 45 of 55 games.
CHICAGO: The White Sox aren't crazy about having to fly to Boston for a makeup game Monday in the middle of a homestand. Chicago will leave its entire starting rotation behind - Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Orlando Hernandez, Jose Contreras and Freddy Garcia. ``We're not going to use them. Making the trip for no reason, Boston is real uncomfortable, the clubhouse is small,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. Rookie Brandon McCarthy will start against the Red Sox.
Indians-Twins
CLEVELAND: After allowing just one earned run in his last 19 innings, reliever Scott Sauerbeck gave up Mike Redmond's three-run double in the eighth. ... Travis Hafner homered in the second inning, giving him home runs in back-to-back games for the sixth time this season.
MINNESOTA: 3B Michael Cuddyer missed the game with sore ribs and a sore hand stemming from his diving catch in Minnesota's 3-2 win Saturday. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Cuddyer is still doubtful for Monday's game against Texas.
Rangers-Royals
TEXAS: RHP Kameron Loe, who starts Monday at Minnesota, is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts since moving into the rotation on Aug. 26. ... The Rangers hit three home runs, bringing their season total to 227, which leads the majors. ... SS Michael Young, who had three hits to hike his AL-leading average to .327, has hit safely in 14 of his past 15 games, going 24-for-62. He tops the majors with 55 multihit games and 187 hits.
KANSAS CITY: 1B-DH Mike Sweeney took swings in the indoor batting cage and said his back felt fine. Sweeney has missed the past seven games with tightness in his lower back. ... CF Aaron Guiel's home run in the fourth inning was the Royals' 100th this season. ... SS Angel Berroa's home run in the second ended a drought of 82 at-bats without an extra-base hit. That is the longest streak by a Royals player since SS Rey Sanchez went 83 at-bats without an extra-base hit in 2000. ... With a 17-8 victory, the Royals avoided being swept for the 19th time this season.
Mariners-Angels
SEATTLE: RHP Jeff Harris gave up a career-high five earned runs in a season-low three innings. ... The Mariners have lost nine of 13. ... Seattle had 15 homers in 15 games coming into Anaheim, but ended the three-game series with no homers. ... The team's 1-4 hitters were a combined 1-for-15 with one RBI in the series, while the 5-7 hitters combined to go 6-for-12 with two RBIs. ... 3B Adrian Beltre has hit safely in 17 of his last 21 games.
LOS ANGELES: RHP Bartolo Colon's 18th win equaled his total from last season. ... 1B Casey Kotchman tied a career high with three hits. ... RHP Francisco Rodriguez has earned a save in the Angels' last four wins. ... LF Garret Anderson had his season-high 10-game hitting streak snapped. ... The Angels have hit 25 homers against the Mariners this season. They had 28 in 2004, the most against any opponent in a single season.
Yankees-Athletics
NEW YORK: RHP Jaret Wright, who sustained a bruised collarbone when he was hit by a line drive Thursday in Seattle, threw off a mound and felt fine. ``We'll see how Jaret is doing and then we can set the rest of (the rotation),'' manager Joe Torre said. ... LHP Al Leiter left the team to visit family in Florida. ... Chien-Ming Wang, sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since the All-Star break, made a rehab start Saturday. ``He gave up a lot of hits and runs but his velocity was good,'' Torre said. ``He'll have another bullpen and then we'll make a decision. We want to do what is best for him.'' ... Mark Bellhorn started at 2B as Torre tries to use his bench. ``We need depth the rest of the way. If we expect these people to help us, we need them to chip in,'' Torre said. ``It's a matter of getting these guys some at-bats.''
OAKLAND: RHP Rich Harden was given another day before long tossing, but trainer Larry Davis insisted this isn't a setback. The target date for Harden's return is Sept. 11. ... Third-base coach Ron Washington has received an outpouring of support from the A's after his house was flooded by Hurricane Katrina in his native New Orleans. The A's raised money for him. Yankees slugger Jason Giambi, who worked with Washington in the Oakland farm system, gave $20,000 to help Washington and his family recover. Washington will leave the A's late Monday and spend three days in Alabama with his wife and family, working to get them moved from a shelter into three houses while also trying to learn more about the state of their homes in what's left of the decimated Big Easy.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs-Pirates
CHICAGO: The Cubs recalled RHP Sergio Mitre from Triple-A Iowa before Sunday's game. Mitre, 24, was 2-5 with a 5.66 ERA in two previous stints with Chicago this season from May 10-12 and May 24-Aug. 5. He was a starter with Iowa and made seven starts and nine relief appearances with the Cubs. Manager Dusty Baker said Mitre will come out of the bullpen, but it is possible he would move into the rotation later this month. ``It depends on how a couple guys in the rotation do,'' Baker said. ... Baker said he has been impressed with SS Ronny Cedeno and promised to get the 22-year-old rookie as much playing time as he could the final month of the season. Cedeno is 7-for-15 in his last four starts.
PITTSBURGH: LHP Dave Williams lasted only two innings in his start Saturday after taking eight days rest between starts to rest a fatigued shoulder. Manager Lloyd McClendon said he expected Williams to make his next start but allowed that the situation would be re-evaluated Monday. ... LHP Zach Duke is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, and McClendon said he hopes the rookie will be able to start one of the Pirates' three games in Cincinnati over the weekend. ... The Pirates are waiting for the Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona seasons to end before making September call-ups, but McClendon said the team would not hesitate to make a move should the Pirates need a player. ``The minor league system is here to support the major league club any way it can,'' McClendon said. Indianapolis and Altoona complete their regular seasons Monday.
Mets-Marlins
NEW YORK: C Mike Piazza, who turned 37 Sunday, said he plans to catch on the side Monday in Atlanta, but there's no timetable for his return from a broken bone in his left hand. ... The Mets plan to recall RHP Danny Graves on Monday from Triple-A Norfolk, manager Willie Randolph said. ... RHP Steve Trachsel, who makes his second start of the season Monday, is 3-6 lifetime at Turner Field with an ERA of 5.54 in 12 games.
FLORIDA: RHP Antonio Alfonseca wore a Red Cross vest as he collected donations for hurricane relief outside the stadium before Sunday's game.
Reds-Braves
CINCINNATI: The two home runs allowed by Ramon Ortiz on Sunday gave him 28 on the season, among the league leaders. ... The Reds are 36-30 under manager Jerry Narron since he was named interim skipper, replacing Dave Miley (27-43). ... The Reds lead the NL in runs, doubles, home runs, grand slams, RBIs and slugging percentage. ... With Sean Casey's next home run, the Reds will have 10 players with at least 10 homers. The others are Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Felipe Lopez, Wily Mo Pena, Rich Aurilia, Joe Randa, Austin Kearns, Javier Valentin and Jason LaRue.
ATLANTA: Horacio Ramirez gave up two more home runs and has allowed 29 this season. ... The Braves recalled rookie RHP Anthony Lerew from Triple-A Richmond on Saturday, the 17th rookie on the squad this season. They currently have 12 on the roster. ... Since Aug. 1, rookie reliever Blaine Boyer leads the majors with 15 scoreless outings (15 1-3 innings). ... Chipper Jones has 21 RBIs in his last 21 games. ... LHP Mike Hampton, on the DL three times this season, was activated Sunday. He will be available in relief.
Padres-Brewers
SAN DIEGO: RHP Chan Ho Park will be making his seventh start for the Padres on Tuesday. Park, who was traded from Texas in exchange for 1B Phil Nevin on July 29, has won three straight decisions. ... 3B Joe Randa has at least 30 doubles in each of his last five seasons. ... C Miguel Olivo extended his career-high hitting streak to 10 games with a leadoff single in the third inning Sunday.
MILWAUKEE: Closer Derrick Turnbow (6-1, 29 saves) has allowed just one earned run in his last 28 innings, spanning 29 games. He has converted his last nine save opportunities and has an ERA of 0.32 in those 28 appearances. His only earned run surrendered in that span was a homer by the New York Mets' Mike Cameron on Aug. 2. ... RHP Tomo Ohka (9-7, 4.06) will be making his 27th start of the season Monday in Cincinnati. In his previous two starts against the Reds this season, Ohka is 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA. ... RHP Julio Santana played catch with head trainer Roger Caplinger on Sunday. ``Things are going well and my arm feels great,'' said Santana, who has been on the 15-day DL since Aug. 14 with right elbow tendinitis. ``I never wanted things to happen this way. I have to help the team as much as possible these last few days, that's my goal.''
Cardinals-Astros
ST. LOUIS: Manager Tony La Russa will be honored by the Cardinals ownership group before Monday's game against the Cubs for moving into sole possession of third place on baseball's managerial wins list. He passed Sparky Anderson on Aug. 25 at Pittsburgh. After a 4-1 win at Houston on Sunday, he has 2,201 victories. La Russa has 879 wins with the Cardinals, second in team history to Red Schoendienst's 1,041. ... RHP Chris Carpenter is 12-0 with a 1.84 ERA (23 earned runs over 112 1-3 innings) in 14 starts against NL Central opponents this season. Carpenter became the first 20-game winner in the major leagues this season when he beat Houston 4-2 on Saturday night, throwing his majors-best seventh complete game.
HOUSTON: RHP Brandon Backe will return to Houston's starting rotation Wednesday at Philadelphia. He was activated from the disabled list Saturday (strained left ribcage). Rookie Ezequiel Astacio (2-6) will move to the bullpen. Manager Phil Garner also plans to skip rookie LHP Wandy Rodriguez's next start in the rotation. Instead, RHP Roger Clemens is scheduled to start on his normal fifth day Friday at Milwaukee, after the Astros are off Thursday. Garner said Clemens is OK after leaving Saturday's game after five innings with a strained left hamstring. ... The Astros have lost consecutive games in which Lance Berkman homered. The Astros are 11-4 when Berkman hits a home run.
Phillies-Nationals
PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies closed a 12-game, 14-day road trip - their longest of the season - with a 6-6 record. ``We didn't lose a whole lot of ground but we didn't gain any,'' manager Charlie Manuel said. ... SS Jimmy Rollins' single in the eighth stretched his hitting streak to 11 games, while 1B Ryan Howard's streak ended at eight games. ... Manuel said he hopes RHP Cory Lidle, on the DL with a strained side muscle, will be able to start Friday's game against Florida. Manuel said he's still undecided on a starter for Thursday against Houston: either LHP Eude Brito (two runs in four innings on Saturday) or RHP Gavin Floyd (three runs in six innings on Sunday).
WASHINGTON: RHP Tony Armas Jr. is being dropped from the rotation, and manager Frank Robinson will consider using a four-man starting staff down the stretch. Armas (7-7, 4.97 ERA) gave up seven runs in four innings in his last outing, and Robinson said he won't take the mound for his next scheduled turn, Tuesday against Florida. ``He could be shut down, or go to the bullpen,'' Robinson said. ... 1B Nick Johnson sat out Sunday with a bruised right heel, the same injury that sidelined him for most of July. Robinson expects Johnson to miss three or four days. Brad Wilkerson started at first Sunday. ... RF Jose Guillen and SS Cristian Guzman were in the lineup Sunday after not starting the previous two games. Guzman had two singles to raise his batting average to .198. ... Robinson told his players he wanted them to focus on baseball more, so he had the stereo removed from the clubhouse, and barred cell phone conversations and card playing. After Saturday night's 12-inning win, music was blaring, and Robinson shut it off. ``They asked if they could turn on the music today,'' Robinson said after Sunday's victory. ``I said: 'No, you haven't done anything yet. Turn it on Oct. 1 or Oct. 3.'''
Dodgers-Rockies
LOS ANGELES: 2B Jeff Kent became the all-time leader for second basemen with 13 grand slams. His 85 RBIs as a second baseman is a single-season high for the Dodgers. ``Those things don't matter,'' Kent said. ``I'm all about doing things that contribute to a world championship.'' Neal had 83 RBIs in 1959. ... OF Ricky Ledee pinch hit, but was kept out of the starting lineup for a second day with a sore left hamstring. ... LHP Odalis Perez played catch for the fourth day in a row. ... SS Cesar Izturis (sprained lower back) did some running on a treadmill. He is eligible to come off the DL on Wednesday. ... LHP Wilson Alvarez will throw a side session Monday.
COLORADO: INF Omar Quintanilla had his first major league start at second base. ``We want to see what he can do at second,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ``We already know what he can do at shortstop.'' ... RHP Sunny Kim turned 28. ... OF Cory Sullivan had a career-high four hits. ... 3B Garrett Atkins has a 10-game hitting streak. ... The Rockies swept the Dodgers for the first time since May 27-29, 2003. ... Colorado has six walkoff victories this year.
Giants-Diamondbacks
SAN FRANCISCO: RHP Matt Cain earned his first career win in his second start Sunday, holding the Diamondbacks to three hits over seven innings. ... San Francisco fielders recorded just four assists Sunday, two with Cain on the mound and one each in the eighth and ninth. ... The Giants won seven of 10 games against the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark and are 40-25 all-time in Phoenix. With how well his team hits in Phoenix, Alou said with a laugh, ``We might not need Barry Bonds.'' ... CF Randy Winn was 3-for-4 on Sunday with a double, triple, two runs scored and an RBI. He finished the three-game series 8-for-13 with two homers. ... Before the game, the Giants recalled OF Dan Ortmeier from Double-A Norwich. Ortmeier hit .270 with 20 homers, 79 RBIs and 35 bases with Norwich, earning Eastern League postseason All-Star honors.
ARIZONA: The Diamondbacks have lost five straight and 11 of their last 14. Arizona is 9-22 since moving into a first-place tie with San Diego in the NL West on July 31. ... 3B Troy Glaus, who reinjured his left knee on Saturday, was scratched from the starting lineup on Sunday and remains day-to-day.
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Orioles-Red Sox
BALTIMORE: Miguel Tejada got his major league-leading 45th double when he drove in Baltimore's only run in the sixth. ... Rodrigo Lopez faced 13 batters through four innings, then pitched to nine in the fifth. ... Eric Byrnes is 13-for-76 in his last 22 games after going 0-for-3. ... C Geronimo Gil went 0-for-3 in his first game since coming off the disabled list Friday. He also threw out Johnny Damon at second when Boston's center fielder took too big a turn after his two-run double in the fifth.
BOSTON: Manager Terry Francona hoped Johnny Damon could play Monday against the Chicago White Sox after he jammed his left shoulder when he was thrown out sliding back into second after his two-run double. Gabe Kapler pinch-hit for Damon in the seventh and replaced him in center field. ... Boston has the best home record in the majors at 46-20. ... David Wells is 10-2 in his last 18 starts. ... John Olerud's homer was Boston's 33rd in its last 23 home games, 21 of them wins.
Tigers-White Sox
DETROIT: The Tigers were 2-7 on their road trip to Boston, Cleveland and the White Sox. ``It wasn't going to be easy, we knew that,'' manager Alan Trammell said. ``It's been a tough trip. That's not a shock. I hoped we'd win a few more games.'' ... Sean Douglass is out and Roman Colon in as a member of the starting rotation. Douglass was hit hard by the White Sox on Friday and Colon will come out of the bullpen and take his spot beginning Wednesday. Colon has pitched nine games in relief for the Tigers and made just four starts in 23 appearances for the Braves before being traded on July 31. ``I got to go for it and enjoy it,'' Colon said. Colon said being in the rotation will allow him to use his assortment of pitches more than out of the bullpen. What he does in this final month of another lost season for the Tigers could determine his assignment next season. ``I'm going to show what I have,'' he said. ``It's not just about now, but the future.'' ... Magglio Ordonez went 1-for-4 and is batting .571 against his former team with 12 hits in 21 at-bats. Since being reinstated from the disabled list on July 1, Ordonez has hit in 45 of 55 games.
CHICAGO: The White Sox aren't crazy about having to fly to Boston for a makeup game Monday in the middle of a homestand. Chicago will leave its entire starting rotation behind - Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, Orlando Hernandez, Jose Contreras and Freddy Garcia. ``We're not going to use them. Making the trip for no reason, Boston is real uncomfortable, the clubhouse is small,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. Rookie Brandon McCarthy will start against the Red Sox.
Indians-Twins
CLEVELAND: After allowing just one earned run in his last 19 innings, reliever Scott Sauerbeck gave up Mike Redmond's three-run double in the eighth. ... Travis Hafner homered in the second inning, giving him home runs in back-to-back games for the sixth time this season.
MINNESOTA: 3B Michael Cuddyer missed the game with sore ribs and a sore hand stemming from his diving catch in Minnesota's 3-2 win Saturday. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Cuddyer is still doubtful for Monday's game against Texas.
Rangers-Royals
TEXAS: RHP Kameron Loe, who starts Monday at Minnesota, is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts since moving into the rotation on Aug. 26. ... The Rangers hit three home runs, bringing their season total to 227, which leads the majors. ... SS Michael Young, who had three hits to hike his AL-leading average to .327, has hit safely in 14 of his past 15 games, going 24-for-62. He tops the majors with 55 multihit games and 187 hits.
KANSAS CITY: 1B-DH Mike Sweeney took swings in the indoor batting cage and said his back felt fine. Sweeney has missed the past seven games with tightness in his lower back. ... CF Aaron Guiel's home run in the fourth inning was the Royals' 100th this season. ... SS Angel Berroa's home run in the second ended a drought of 82 at-bats without an extra-base hit. That is the longest streak by a Royals player since SS Rey Sanchez went 83 at-bats without an extra-base hit in 2000. ... With a 17-8 victory, the Royals avoided being swept for the 19th time this season.
Mariners-Angels
SEATTLE: RHP Jeff Harris gave up a career-high five earned runs in a season-low three innings. ... The Mariners have lost nine of 13. ... Seattle had 15 homers in 15 games coming into Anaheim, but ended the three-game series with no homers. ... The team's 1-4 hitters were a combined 1-for-15 with one RBI in the series, while the 5-7 hitters combined to go 6-for-12 with two RBIs. ... 3B Adrian Beltre has hit safely in 17 of his last 21 games.
LOS ANGELES: RHP Bartolo Colon's 18th win equaled his total from last season. ... 1B Casey Kotchman tied a career high with three hits. ... RHP Francisco Rodriguez has earned a save in the Angels' last four wins. ... LF Garret Anderson had his season-high 10-game hitting streak snapped. ... The Angels have hit 25 homers against the Mariners this season. They had 28 in 2004, the most against any opponent in a single season.
Yankees-Athletics
NEW YORK: RHP Jaret Wright, who sustained a bruised collarbone when he was hit by a line drive Thursday in Seattle, threw off a mound and felt fine. ``We'll see how Jaret is doing and then we can set the rest of (the rotation),'' manager Joe Torre said. ... LHP Al Leiter left the team to visit family in Florida. ... Chien-Ming Wang, sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since the All-Star break, made a rehab start Saturday. ``He gave up a lot of hits and runs but his velocity was good,'' Torre said. ``He'll have another bullpen and then we'll make a decision. We want to do what is best for him.'' ... Mark Bellhorn started at 2B as Torre tries to use his bench. ``We need depth the rest of the way. If we expect these people to help us, we need them to chip in,'' Torre said. ``It's a matter of getting these guys some at-bats.''
OAKLAND: RHP Rich Harden was given another day before long tossing, but trainer Larry Davis insisted this isn't a setback. The target date for Harden's return is Sept. 11. ... Third-base coach Ron Washington has received an outpouring of support from the A's after his house was flooded by Hurricane Katrina in his native New Orleans. The A's raised money for him. Yankees slugger Jason Giambi, who worked with Washington in the Oakland farm system, gave $20,000 to help Washington and his family recover. Washington will leave the A's late Monday and spend three days in Alabama with his wife and family, working to get them moved from a shelter into three houses while also trying to learn more about the state of their homes in what's left of the decimated Big Easy.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs-Pirates
CHICAGO: The Cubs recalled RHP Sergio Mitre from Triple-A Iowa before Sunday's game. Mitre, 24, was 2-5 with a 5.66 ERA in two previous stints with Chicago this season from May 10-12 and May 24-Aug. 5. He was a starter with Iowa and made seven starts and nine relief appearances with the Cubs. Manager Dusty Baker said Mitre will come out of the bullpen, but it is possible he would move into the rotation later this month. ``It depends on how a couple guys in the rotation do,'' Baker said. ... Baker said he has been impressed with SS Ronny Cedeno and promised to get the 22-year-old rookie as much playing time as he could the final month of the season. Cedeno is 7-for-15 in his last four starts.
PITTSBURGH: LHP Dave Williams lasted only two innings in his start Saturday after taking eight days rest between starts to rest a fatigued shoulder. Manager Lloyd McClendon said he expected Williams to make his next start but allowed that the situation would be re-evaluated Monday. ... LHP Zach Duke is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, and McClendon said he hopes the rookie will be able to start one of the Pirates' three games in Cincinnati over the weekend. ... The Pirates are waiting for the Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona seasons to end before making September call-ups, but McClendon said the team would not hesitate to make a move should the Pirates need a player. ``The minor league system is here to support the major league club any way it can,'' McClendon said. Indianapolis and Altoona complete their regular seasons Monday.
Mets-Marlins
NEW YORK: C Mike Piazza, who turned 37 Sunday, said he plans to catch on the side Monday in Atlanta, but there's no timetable for his return from a broken bone in his left hand. ... The Mets plan to recall RHP Danny Graves on Monday from Triple-A Norfolk, manager Willie Randolph said. ... RHP Steve Trachsel, who makes his second start of the season Monday, is 3-6 lifetime at Turner Field with an ERA of 5.54 in 12 games.
FLORIDA: RHP Antonio Alfonseca wore a Red Cross vest as he collected donations for hurricane relief outside the stadium before Sunday's game.
Reds-Braves
CINCINNATI: The two home runs allowed by Ramon Ortiz on Sunday gave him 28 on the season, among the league leaders. ... The Reds are 36-30 under manager Jerry Narron since he was named interim skipper, replacing Dave Miley (27-43). ... The Reds lead the NL in runs, doubles, home runs, grand slams, RBIs and slugging percentage. ... With Sean Casey's next home run, the Reds will have 10 players with at least 10 homers. The others are Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Felipe Lopez, Wily Mo Pena, Rich Aurilia, Joe Randa, Austin Kearns, Javier Valentin and Jason LaRue.
ATLANTA: Horacio Ramirez gave up two more home runs and has allowed 29 this season. ... The Braves recalled rookie RHP Anthony Lerew from Triple-A Richmond on Saturday, the 17th rookie on the squad this season. They currently have 12 on the roster. ... Since Aug. 1, rookie reliever Blaine Boyer leads the majors with 15 scoreless outings (15 1-3 innings). ... Chipper Jones has 21 RBIs in his last 21 games. ... LHP Mike Hampton, on the DL three times this season, was activated Sunday. He will be available in relief.
Padres-Brewers
SAN DIEGO: RHP Chan Ho Park will be making his seventh start for the Padres on Tuesday. Park, who was traded from Texas in exchange for 1B Phil Nevin on July 29, has won three straight decisions. ... 3B Joe Randa has at least 30 doubles in each of his last five seasons. ... C Miguel Olivo extended his career-high hitting streak to 10 games with a leadoff single in the third inning Sunday.
MILWAUKEE: Closer Derrick Turnbow (6-1, 29 saves) has allowed just one earned run in his last 28 innings, spanning 29 games. He has converted his last nine save opportunities and has an ERA of 0.32 in those 28 appearances. His only earned run surrendered in that span was a homer by the New York Mets' Mike Cameron on Aug. 2. ... RHP Tomo Ohka (9-7, 4.06) will be making his 27th start of the season Monday in Cincinnati. In his previous two starts against the Reds this season, Ohka is 0-2 with a 7.30 ERA. ... RHP Julio Santana played catch with head trainer Roger Caplinger on Sunday. ``Things are going well and my arm feels great,'' said Santana, who has been on the 15-day DL since Aug. 14 with right elbow tendinitis. ``I never wanted things to happen this way. I have to help the team as much as possible these last few days, that's my goal.''
Cardinals-Astros
ST. LOUIS: Manager Tony La Russa will be honored by the Cardinals ownership group before Monday's game against the Cubs for moving into sole possession of third place on baseball's managerial wins list. He passed Sparky Anderson on Aug. 25 at Pittsburgh. After a 4-1 win at Houston on Sunday, he has 2,201 victories. La Russa has 879 wins with the Cardinals, second in team history to Red Schoendienst's 1,041. ... RHP Chris Carpenter is 12-0 with a 1.84 ERA (23 earned runs over 112 1-3 innings) in 14 starts against NL Central opponents this season. Carpenter became the first 20-game winner in the major leagues this season when he beat Houston 4-2 on Saturday night, throwing his majors-best seventh complete game.
HOUSTON: RHP Brandon Backe will return to Houston's starting rotation Wednesday at Philadelphia. He was activated from the disabled list Saturday (strained left ribcage). Rookie Ezequiel Astacio (2-6) will move to the bullpen. Manager Phil Garner also plans to skip rookie LHP Wandy Rodriguez's next start in the rotation. Instead, RHP Roger Clemens is scheduled to start on his normal fifth day Friday at Milwaukee, after the Astros are off Thursday. Garner said Clemens is OK after leaving Saturday's game after five innings with a strained left hamstring. ... The Astros have lost consecutive games in which Lance Berkman homered. The Astros are 11-4 when Berkman hits a home run.
Phillies-Nationals
PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies closed a 12-game, 14-day road trip - their longest of the season - with a 6-6 record. ``We didn't lose a whole lot of ground but we didn't gain any,'' manager Charlie Manuel said. ... SS Jimmy Rollins' single in the eighth stretched his hitting streak to 11 games, while 1B Ryan Howard's streak ended at eight games. ... Manuel said he hopes RHP Cory Lidle, on the DL with a strained side muscle, will be able to start Friday's game against Florida. Manuel said he's still undecided on a starter for Thursday against Houston: either LHP Eude Brito (two runs in four innings on Saturday) or RHP Gavin Floyd (three runs in six innings on Sunday).
WASHINGTON: RHP Tony Armas Jr. is being dropped from the rotation, and manager Frank Robinson will consider using a four-man starting staff down the stretch. Armas (7-7, 4.97 ERA) gave up seven runs in four innings in his last outing, and Robinson said he won't take the mound for his next scheduled turn, Tuesday against Florida. ``He could be shut down, or go to the bullpen,'' Robinson said. ... 1B Nick Johnson sat out Sunday with a bruised right heel, the same injury that sidelined him for most of July. Robinson expects Johnson to miss three or four days. Brad Wilkerson started at first Sunday. ... RF Jose Guillen and SS Cristian Guzman were in the lineup Sunday after not starting the previous two games. Guzman had two singles to raise his batting average to .198. ... Robinson told his players he wanted them to focus on baseball more, so he had the stereo removed from the clubhouse, and barred cell phone conversations and card playing. After Saturday night's 12-inning win, music was blaring, and Robinson shut it off. ``They asked if they could turn on the music today,'' Robinson said after Sunday's victory. ``I said: 'No, you haven't done anything yet. Turn it on Oct. 1 or Oct. 3.'''
Dodgers-Rockies
LOS ANGELES: 2B Jeff Kent became the all-time leader for second basemen with 13 grand slams. His 85 RBIs as a second baseman is a single-season high for the Dodgers. ``Those things don't matter,'' Kent said. ``I'm all about doing things that contribute to a world championship.'' Neal had 83 RBIs in 1959. ... OF Ricky Ledee pinch hit, but was kept out of the starting lineup for a second day with a sore left hamstring. ... LHP Odalis Perez played catch for the fourth day in a row. ... SS Cesar Izturis (sprained lower back) did some running on a treadmill. He is eligible to come off the DL on Wednesday. ... LHP Wilson Alvarez will throw a side session Monday.
COLORADO: INF Omar Quintanilla had his first major league start at second base. ``We want to see what he can do at second,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ``We already know what he can do at shortstop.'' ... RHP Sunny Kim turned 28. ... OF Cory Sullivan had a career-high four hits. ... 3B Garrett Atkins has a 10-game hitting streak. ... The Rockies swept the Dodgers for the first time since May 27-29, 2003. ... Colorado has six walkoff victories this year.
Giants-Diamondbacks
SAN FRANCISCO: RHP Matt Cain earned his first career win in his second start Sunday, holding the Diamondbacks to three hits over seven innings. ... San Francisco fielders recorded just four assists Sunday, two with Cain on the mound and one each in the eighth and ninth. ... The Giants won seven of 10 games against the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark and are 40-25 all-time in Phoenix. With how well his team hits in Phoenix, Alou said with a laugh, ``We might not need Barry Bonds.'' ... CF Randy Winn was 3-for-4 on Sunday with a double, triple, two runs scored and an RBI. He finished the three-game series 8-for-13 with two homers. ... Before the game, the Giants recalled OF Dan Ortmeier from Double-A Norwich. Ortmeier hit .270 with 20 homers, 79 RBIs and 35 bases with Norwich, earning Eastern League postseason All-Star honors.
ARIZONA: The Diamondbacks have lost five straight and 11 of their last 14. Arizona is 9-22 since moving into a first-place tie with San Diego in the NL West on July 31. ... 3B Troy Glaus, who reinjured his left knee on Saturday, was scratched from the starting lineup on Sunday and remains day-to-day.
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