Santana, Nathan throw three-hitter vs. Tribe

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - In a tight race for the AL wild card, the Cleveland Indians have little room for error the rest of the way, let alone two.
Aaron Boone and Bobby Howry made throwing errors in the ninth Saturday night, giving the Minnesota Twins a 3-2 win over the Indians after Cleveland had rallied in the top of the inning.
"The bottom half got away from us a little bit, but we fought back and put ourselves in position," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "We just couldn't finish it."
Coco Crisp's sacrifice fly tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the ninth following a leadoff double by Casey Blake off Joe Nathan (7-3), but the Twins won it in the bottom half.
Juan Castro led off the bottom of the inning with a bunt single to third off Howry (6-3) and advanced to second when Boone's throw sailed past first baseman Jose Hernandez.
Nick Punto followed with another bunt down the third-base line. Howry picked it up, but his throw to first also was off the mark, glancing off Punto and allowing Castro to come home with the winning run.
"We could have gotten him, definitely," Howry said. "I just tried to rush it and it got away from me."
Minnesota's rally was eerily similar to one in a victory over Boston on Aug. 6. In that game, Michael Cuddyer reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by third baseman Bill Mueller.
Cuddyer scored when Boston reliever Mike Timlin threw the ball away on a bunt by Punto.
"I think I'm leading the league in walkoff bunts," Punto said with a smile. "It's nice to get a win any way you can. If it's a walkoff bunt, that's fine with me."
Minnesota pulled within five games of the AL wild-card lead, while Cleveland lost for only the fourth time in its last 15 games and remained one game back.
Johan Santana and Nathan combined on a three-hitter, with Santana allowing one run and two hits in eight innings and striking out 10. He gave up Victor Martinez's single in the fifth and Travis Hafner's solo home run in the seventh.
"It's unfortunate we're not scoring enough runs for him," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's the best left-hander in this league, there's no doubt in my mind. And, he may be the best pitcher."
Cleveland's Kevin Millwood gave up two runs and nine hits in seven innings in another start in which he was given little run support. He was coming off a 2-1 loss to Toronto in which he threw a six-hitter.
"I feel like I answer that after every game lately," Millwood said. "There's nothing I can do about that. I have to worry about the things I can control. That, I can't control."

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/

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.

Source: http://channels.netscape.com/

At long last, Junior makes his comeback

I'm guessing that for Ken Griffey Jr. no news has got to be good news.
After so many tragically short injury-plagued seasons, he's having a typical Griffey year. Yet nobody seems to care.
How this guy - who suddenly looks like the Junior of old - is not getting more attention is beyond me.
We know there are some things (and I sincerely hope that disco is at the top of the list) that will never be coming back. But this is a joyous comeback. A comeback bigger than Lazarus.
We all remember what this man used to be. Throughout the '90s, before we had ever even heard of some dude called Alex Rodriguez - and before the sudden home run explosions of Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds - Junior was the face of the game. He was its brightest star.
When I was about 12 years old, after his first few years in the league, someone gave me a poster of Junior. In big bold letters across the top, it sad "Kid Dynamite." There was a picture of Griffey, decked out in Mariners garb and obviously finishing a swing - Junior definitely had the sweetest swing I've still ever seen. He was standing in front of a huge explosion. It was a cool poster, believe me.
But as cool as this poster seemed, his play was even better. This kid could do it all. He could hit. He could run. He was a brilliant defensive center fielder.
As he was coming up, he was baseball's golden child. He reached the majors before his 20th birthday, and everyone was wondering what this wunderkind - who oozed talent of which even his own Major League veteran father could only dream - could do.
He didn't disappoint. In 11 seasons with the Mariners, he hit 398 home runs. He reached 400 before his 31st birthday. He's appeared in 12 All-Star games -11 in a row from from 1990-2000. Only Cal Ripken Jr. (17) and Rod Carew (15) have played in more Mid-Summer Classics. He won Seven Silver Sluggers and 10 Gold Gloves.
His finest years, by far, were 1997 and 1998, hitting 56 home runs in both seasons. Everyone was sure he, and not Sammy Sosa, would be the guy to push Mark McGwire to break the single-season home run record. Everyone was so sure he-and not Barry Bonds - would challenge Hank Aaron for the all-time home run lead.
Griffey in his prime was the greatest player I've ever seen. He was a class guy with a grin so big and bright it could light up the stadium, and a man who gave so much to the game and to the community. On top of that, the guy's face was on everything. My favorite Super Nintendo game was "Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball."
And then it all came crashing down.
Unhappy in Seattle, he forced the Mariners' hand in a trade that may have gone down as one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history if not for Griffey's injury-fueled fall from grace.
But at first it seemed meant to be. Griffey was headed home to Cincinnati. Where his father played. Where he dominated in high school. Yeah, Junior was headed to the Reds, which was once one of baseball's storied franchises and was now trying to find its way back to baseball glory.
It was a match made in baseball heaven. Griffey even deferred some of his salary to allow the Reds to build a solid team. In his first year he hit 40 home runs ...
Then the injuries started. Griffey's fall happened so quickly, it would have been funny if it hadn't been so tragic. The luck of "Kid Dynamite" was so pathetic he should have been called "Napoleon Dynamite."
Injuries to his hamstring and shoulder limited him to just 206 games over the next three years. His pains dominated the headlines. Fantasy baseball owners everywhere avoided what was once their dream cornerstone player because they knew it was only a matter of time before he got hurt.
The Reds, who once hailed him as their franchise's savior, tried to unceremoniously dump him off to San Diego for Phil Nevin.
Griffey even showed us the promise of breaking out of the injury cycle last year, even making the All-Star team ... before going down in August. I was horrified to see the most talented player in the majors sitting out half the season while A-Rod and Bonds vaulted past him as the new faces of Major League Baseball.
But Junior's back, baseball fans. And he's as good as he ever was. Through Sunday, he was hitting .301 with 35 homers and 92 RBIs. His OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) is a whopping .945, just .008 below his career mark. And he's been on a tear in his past 10 games, batting .381 with six home runs.
His most telling number is 128 - the number of games in which he has played this year. Considering he played in 136 in the past two years combined, I'd say that's the most encouraging thing I've seen this season.
And yet all the attention seems to be given to the likes of Derrek Lee, Albert Pujols and Andruw Jones. Their numbers are outstanding, yes, but with the resurrection of one the greatest position players of this generation, you would think all eyes would be on him.
But who knows? After three years of dominating headlines with his myriad injuries, maybe Junior's content to "quietly" hit 40 home runs. I know I would be.
And here's an interesting thought. Griffey has 536 home runs, good for a tie with Mickey Mantle at 12th on the career list. He doesn't turn 36 until November. If he can stay healthy (a tall order with his recent history), and Bonds' injury prevents him from returning to form, maybe Ken Griffey Jr., after all, will be the one shaking Henry Aaron's hand after No. 756, and not Barry Bonds.
I, for one, have my fingers (and my toes) crossed.

Source: http://www.thespectrum.com/

Milwaukee at Cincinnati

PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS
September 5, 7:10 p.m. - Tomo Ohka (9-7) vs. Brandon Claussen (9-9)
September 6, 7:10 p.m. - Rick Helling (1-0) vs. Aaron Harang (9-12)
September 7, 12:35 p.m. - Chris Capuano (15-9) vs. Eric Milton (7-13)
2005 SEASON SERIES: Milwaukee leads, 5-4.
MILWAUKEE (67-70)
Tomo Ohka looks to win his third straight decision Monday, as the Brewers open a three-game series against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Ohka has not lost since August 13 against Cincinnati, going 2-0 with a no- decision in his last three starts.
After posting consecutive victories over Houston and Florida, Ohka appeared in relief against Atlanta on August 27 and yielded one run on four hits in one inning of work. He then started versus Pittsburgh four days later and escaped with a no-decision after surrendering five runs on nine hits in six frames.
Ohka is 5-3 on the road this year and 3-2 lifetime against the Reds. However, he is 0-2 versus Cincinnati in 2005. In the August 13 contest, the righthander gave up three runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Milwaukee gained a split of a four-game series against San Diego with a 3-2 triumph on Sunday. Brady Clark's squeeze bunt drove in Corey Hart with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Bill Hall and Wes Helms also knocked in runs and Doug Davis threw 7 1/3 strong innings in another no-decision. Davis allowed just two runs and seven hits while fanning seven, but failed to win for the 14th consecutive outing. He has four losses and 10 no-decisions since a June 22 win over the Cubs.
Derrick Turnbow (6-1) received the victory after throwing a scoreless top of the ninth.
Milwaukee leads the season series against Cincinnati, 5-4.
CINCINNATI (63-73)
Brandon Claussen pitches for Cincinnati on Monday. The lefthander suffered the loss against Houston in his last start on August 31, allowing four runs on eight hits in just 5 2/3 innings.
Prior to the setback versus the Astros, Claussen had gone 5-0 with a no- decision in six previous starts.
The lefthander is only 1-3 in his career versus Milwaukee with an 8.31 ERA in six starts. He has faced the Brewers three times this year and is 0-2 with an 8.56 earned run average.
The Reds salvaged the finale of a three-game series against Atlanta on Sunday. Austin Kearns ripped a go-ahead, RBI double in the 12th inning and Jason LaRue followed with a pinch-hit grand slam, as Cincinnati beat the Braves, 8-3, at Turner Field.
The Reds snapped a five-game slide while Atlanta had a three-game winning streak come to an end.
With the score tied at 3-3 in the 12th, Edwin Encarnacion and Ken Griffey Jr. both singled with one out to put men on first and third for Kearns, who unleashed a double to right off of Braves reliever Dan Kolb (3-7). Kolb then intentionally walked Sean Casey to load the bases before LaRue entered as a pinch-hitter for Cincinnati reliever Matt Belisle.
LaRue crushed a ball deep into the seats in left, just inside the foul pole.
Matt Belisle (3-6) threw an inning of scoreless relief to pick up the win for Reds, who also received homers from Griffey and Javier Valentin. It was the 536th home run of Griffey's career, tying him with Mickey Mantle for 12th all- time.

Source: http://sportsnetwork.com/

Relief Efforts

I would be remiss in a column called "Relief Efforts" to not ask for your help. It's time to remember that games are the luxury of a content society. Right now our society is neither content nor able to meet its obligations. For those of us who are playing fantasy baseball, we need to recognize what gives us the time and resources to play and to step up to the plate. I'm asking that you donate to the Red Cross or any other suitable agency or charity an amount equal to your entry fee for whatever league you entered. If you did not pay an entry fee, then please give whatever you can. If you do, then no matter how the games go in September, we'll all win.

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/

Nationals notch second home series win since June

Esteban Loaiza struck out 11 and took a shutout into the eighth inning on short rest, and Preston Wilson and Brian Schneider each hit a three-run homer to lead the Washington Nationals past the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 Sunday.
Loaiza (10-10) gave up a run, four hits and four walks, and matched his career high for strikeouts. He threw 128 pitches in eight innings.
Loaiza improved to 9-2 in his career with three days' rest. He helped give the Nationals just their second home series win since the end of June. And it's only the third time since the All-Star break that Washington has managed a winning streak.
Schneider's homer came in the second off Gavin Floyd (1-2), who was called up from the minors to make his first start for the Phillies since April.
Cardinals 4, Astros 1
HOUSTON -- Jason Marquis pitched his second straight complete game and Jim Edmonds hit a go-ahead, two-run double as St. Louis kept Houston from taking over the wild-card lead.
Marquis (11-13) lost seven straight starts before a two-hit shutout in his last appearance, Aug. 27 at Washington. The right-hander limited Houston to five hits with five strikeouts and no walks in his third career complete game -- all this season.
The Astros remained tied with Florida, a half-game behind wild-card leader Philadelphia. Houston opens a three-game series in Philadelphia on Monday.
Mets 7, Marlins 1
MIAMI -- Jae Seo pitched seven strong innings, Cliff Floyd hit a two-run homer and New York salvaged the finale of its three-game series against Florida.
Seo (7-1) limited the Marlins to one run and five hits. He improved to 5-0 with a 1.70 ERA since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 6.
A.J. Burnett (12-9) consistently threw 96 or 97 mph and still lost his third consecutive start. He struck out nine but allowed eight hits and departed trailing 5-1.
Burnett and Josh Beckett, both vital to the Marlins' push for a playoff berth, are a combined 0-5 in their past six starts.
The Mets are last in the NL East but only 2 1/2 games back in the wild-card race.
Reds 8, Braves 3 (12)
ATLANTA -- Jason LaRue's pinch-hit grand slam capped a five-run 12th inning, and Ken Griffey Jr. connected before getting injured to help Cincinnati end a five-game losing streak with a victory over Atlanta.
Austin Kearns hit an RBI double in the 12th off Dan Kolb (3-7) to give the Reds a 4-3 lead.
Griffey hit his 536th homer, tying Mickey Mantle for 12th on the career list. His 35th of the season came in the first inning off Horacio Ramirez.
Edwin Encarnacion had a one-out single in the 12th before Griffey singled him to third. Kearns followed with his double to right, scoring Encarnacion. Griffey, however, hobbled into third and left the game with a sprained right foot. He is day to day.
Sean Casey was walked intentionally before LaRue hit a 3-2 pitch from Kolb into the left-field stands.
Matt Belisle (3-6) earned the win with a scoreless 11th inning. Javier Valentin hit a two-run homer in the seventh to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead.
Brewers 3, Padres 2
MILWAUKEE -- Brady Clark's suicide squeeze scored pinch-runner Corey Hart in the ninth inning, giving Milwaukee a victory over San Diego.
Wes Helms hit a leadoff single against Akinori Otsuka (1-6). Hart ran for Helms and stole second, then moved to third on Chad Moeller's sacrifice.
After pinch-hitter Rickie Weeks walked, Clark bunted the second pitch. Otsuka attempted a late flip to catcher Miguel Olivo, but Hart scored standing up.

Derrick Turnbow (6-1) worked a scoreless ninth for the win.
Cubs 2, Pirates 0
PITTSBURGH -- Nomar Garciaparra homered, Jerome Williams pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning and Chicago beat Pittsburgh to complete a three-game sweep.
Williams (5-7), who had lost four of five decisions and got only five outs in his previous start against the Dodgers, walked two and struck out five in 7 1-3 innings.
Ryan Dempster fanned all three batters in the ninth for his 22nd save, finishing the four-hitter.
Pittsburgh has lost four straight, nine of 10 and 14 of 18. The Pirates have also dropped eight in a row at home, their longest skid at PNC Park since it opened in 2001.
Garciaparra, who missed most of the season with a groin injury, was 2-for-4 with his sixth home run. He connected leading off the second inning, his fourth homer in six games.
Rockies 7, Dodgers 6 (10)
DENVER -- Brad Hawpe drove in the winning run with a one-out single in the 10th inning, and Colorado completed a three-game sweep of Los Angeles.
Cory Sullivan had four hits, including a leadoff double in the 10th against Duaner Sanchez (4-5). Matt Holliday drove in two runs with his 15th homer, and Omar Quintanilla doubled and had two RBIs.
Scott Dohman (2-1) worked a scoreless 10th for the win.
Jeff Kent hit his 13th career grand slam and Jason Phillips drove in two runs for the Dodgers.
American League White Sox 2, Tigers 0
CHICAGO -- Jon Garland got his 17th win on his fifth try and Paul Konerko homered, sending the Chicago White Sox to a sweep of their four-game series.
After losing three straight decisions, Garland (17-8) allowed four hits in his third complete game of the season -- all shutouts. He won for the first time since Aug. 7.
Garland walked one and struck out seven, including Chris Shelton with a runner at third to end the eighth. He outpitched Jeremy Bonderman (14-12), who lost his third consecutive start despite allowing five hits in his fourth complete game this season and the sixth of his career. He struck out six and walked one.
Red Sox 5, Orioles 1
BOSTON -- David Wells pitched a complete game in his return from a six-game suspension and John Olerud hit a three-run homer in a five-run fifth inning, leading Boston over Baltimore.
Wells (12-6) missed his regular turn after he lost his appeal of the suspension for arguing with umpires on July 2, but came back strong. He allowed seven hits with four strikeouts. For the seventh time in eight games, he issued no walks. And he retired his last 12 batters.
Rodrigo Lopez (13-9) retired his first 11 batters and allowed one hit through four, but lost it quickly in the fifth when the first six batters reached safely.
Olerud hit his sixth homer of the year. It came three days after he had two homers and six RBIs in a win over Tampa Bay.
Twins 7, Indians 5
MINNEAPOLIS -- Shannon Stewart drove in the go-ahead run with a sixth-inning single and Mike Redmond delivered a three-run double in the seventh, leading Minnesota to its second straight victory over AL Central rival Cleveland.
Redmond's hit off the glove of right fielder Casey Blake broke open a game that included four lead changes through the first six innings, the last coming when Stewart's single to right-center scored two runs and put Minnesota ahead 4-3.
Jesse Crain (10-4) pitched 1 2-3 innings for the win. Joe Nathan pitched the ninth, allowing Ben Broussard's homer, for his 35th save.
Devil Rays 1, Blue Jays 0
TORONTO -- Scott Kazmir and two relievers combined on a four-hitter, leading Tampa Bay to its second straight win after it had lost five in a row.
Toby Hall drove in the lone run with a sacrifice fly in the second.
Kazmir (8-9) allowed four hits, struck out nine and walked one in seven innings. Joe Borowski pitched the eighth and Danys Baez finished for his 33rd save in 40 chances as the Devil Rays recorded their third shutout of the season. Tampa Bay still doesn't have a complete game this season.
The Blue Jays managed just two hits in Saturday's loss and have dropped 12 of their last 16. Toronto has been shut out 11 times, tied with Oakland for most in the AL.
Royals 17, Rangers 8
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Angel Berroa hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs, matching his career high, and Kansas City beat Texas to avoid a four-game sweep.
The victory was only the sixth in 34 games for the Royals, who own the worst record (44-91) in the majors. Kansas City had 18 hits in its highest-scoring game of the season.
Aaron Guiel had three hits, including his first home run since Aug. 23, 2004, and scored three runs. Emil Brown drove in a career-high four runs with a two-run homer in the eighth and a two-double in the third.
Edison Volquez (0-1) faced 15 batters and eight scored. He retired none of the six batters he faced in the third inning and four of the six hits he yielded were for extra bases.
Jimmy Gobble held the Rangers to one run and five hits over 4 1-3 innings in his first start of the season. He left with the Royals up 11-1, but was on a restrictive pitch count. He threw 61 pitches before being replaced by rookie right-hander Leo Nunez (3-2), who was credited with the win.

Source: http://www.azdailysun.com/

Brewers take opener from Reds

CINCINNATI -- Like any good pitcher, even after a great outing, Tomo Ohka was somewhat critical of himself.
The right-hander didn't have a lot of critiquing to do of his pitching. Ohka went seven innings and gave up just one run Monday in the Brewers' 6-1 win against the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Instead, Ohka mentioned his need to improve at the plate.
"My swing is not so good," Ohka said with a laugh.
Ohka knows this because he struck out three times, once with the bases loaded.
But Ohka didn't have to be good at the plate on this night.
Instead, he did everything he had to with his arm, helping the Brewers through a night in which the offense wasn't very productive until the last two innings.
"That's about as good as it gets right there," manager Ned Yost said. "[Ohka] was lights-out. He got one pitch out over the plate to [Adam] Dunn, and besides that, he was phenomenal. He was just outstanding."
And against a great offensive team, too.
Ohka was able to shut down the Reds for the first time this season. He entered Monday's game with an 0-2 record and a 7.30 ERA against the Reds in 2005.
But Ohka made just one mistake against the Reds on this night -- a fastball over the middle of the plate to Dunn that the big left-hander lifted for a home run.
After that, it was all Ohka, the bullpen and, eventually, the offense, too.
Ohka didn't see much support until he'd stepped off the mound for the last time Monday night.
The Brewers left runners in scoring position four times, and pushed just one across home plate through the first seven innings.
One big reason was Reds starter Brandon Claussen, who looked just as good as Ohka in his seven innings.
"We did have some opportunities," Yost said. "But, again, Claussen was every bit as good as Tomo was. There wasn't much up there to take advantage of, pitch-wise. He didn't make mistakes."
No, he didn't. The Reds' bullpen, however, did. And the Brewers' offense made sure to take full advantage.
Geoff Jenkins led the charge with his second five-hit game of the season.
Playing with an ailing lower back, Jenkins looked great at the plate, knocking in the Brewers' first run of the game in the fourth inning. Jenkins also sparked the rally that won the game in the eighth.
"It doesn't hurt him to swing," Yost said. "It just bothers him a little bit to run. Obviously, it doesn't hurt him to swing."
Jenkins said after the game, though, his back felt as bad as it has this season. But he has no intention of sitting out any of the remainder of the season.
"Hitting and throwing is fine," Jenkins said. "It's just the running that bothers me. It's not something that can get worse; it's just a sensitive area with a lot of nerve endings. So that's what's giving me the trouble. I'm just trying to battle through it."
On Monday night, that's exactly what he did.
After Jenkins' single in the eighth, Wes Helms and Damian Miller reached to load the bases. J.J. Hardy then singled in Jenkins for the eventual game-winning run.
After that, the Brewers were just providing insurance.
Jeff Cirillo's pinch-hit single gave the Brewers a two-run cushion in the eighth. In the ninth, Carlos Lee and Jenkins drove in two more, and a wild by pitch by Reds reliever Allan Simpson led to another run.
Ohka, out of the game at that point, finally had run support and, eventually, the win.
Still, postgame, people couldn't stop talking about Ohka's swing.
"He's really bad, actually," Jenkins joked. "He and Ben Sheets, the worst possible swings. I don't even know how you're born with something like that."
Not that Jenkins really minded.
"He was throwing the ball well," Jenkins said earnestly.
Well enough to give his offense time to get back on track for the win.

Source: http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/

Atlanta chipper after Jones hits homer

ATLANTA - Chipper Jones hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning and drove in three runs, leading the Atlanta Braves over the New York Mets 4-2 Monday.
Andruw Jones hit his major league-leading 45th homer for the Braves, who improved to 49-20 against the Mets at Turner Field, including 5-1 this year. Atlanta estimated his home run went 452 feet, the sixth-longest at Turner Field and the longest by a Brave.
Chipper Jones hit an RBI double that tied the score in the first and homered in the eighth against Steve Trachsel (1-1). Jones has 34 homers against the Mets, second among active players to Barry Bonds' 35.
New York has lost five of six and seven of nine after going 9-2 from Aug. 19-26.
Blaine Boyer (2-1) won in relief of John Thomson, and Kyle Farnsworth pitched the ninth for his 10th save, his fourth with Atlanta.
Nationals 5, Marlins 2
At Washington, Livan Hernandez (15-6) didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning, took a shutout into the ninth, and drove in a run with one of his two singles as Washington won its third straight, all against clubs ahead of it in the tight NL wild-card standings.
Hernandez left after allowing Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer. Mike Stanton got Carlos Delgado to fly out, and closer Chad Cordero recorded the final two outs.
Jose Guillen singled in a run in the first off Jason Vargas (5-3). After Hernandez hit an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the eighth. Marlon Byrd hit a three-run double.
Astros 4, Phillies 3
At Philadelphia, Andy Pettitte pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Lance Berkman hit a three-run homer for Houston, which moved into first place in the NL wild-card standings.
The Astros moved a half-game ahead of Philadelphia and one game ahead of Florida with their 10th consecutive win over the Phillies. Washington is 1 1/2 games behind Houston, while the New York Mets trail by three games.
Pettitte (14-9) allowed three hits, struck out five and walked none. Brad Lidge pitched the ninth for his 33rd save, although he gave up one run and had the tying run at third and the winning run at second before getting the final out.
Berkman's 17th homer off Brett Myers (12-7) in the first gave Houston a 4-0 lead.
Brewers 6, Reds 1
At Cincinnati, J.J. Hardy singled with the bases loaded in the eighth inning to drive in the go-ahead run and Geoff Jenkins tied his career-high with five hits for Milwaukee.
Hardy singled against Matt Belisle (3-7) with one out and pinch-hitter Jeff Cirillo followed with another single. The Brewers added three runs in the ninth.
Jenkins went 5-for-5 to outhit the Reds, who had four hits. Jenkins had five hits -- two doubles -- for the third time in his career, second this season.
Tomo Ohka (10-7) needed 74 pitches to get through seven innings, allowing three hits and one run with six strikeouts. Rookie Dana Eveland pitched the last two innings for his first career save.
Adam Dunn of the Reds tied the game in the fourth with his 36th homer of the season and first in 30 at-bats since Aug. 26.

Source: http://www.belleville.com/

Junior joking is a good sign

Ken Griffey Jr. was kidding around - that's the first good sign the injury of his right foot may not be too serious - with teammate Sean Casey before Monday's game.
"Hey, I can out-run you, 'Case,' " Griffey chirped.
"You're playin' then?" Casey asked.
"No, I can run, but I can't stop," Griffey answered, grinning.
Which, in fact, is a pretty good description of the nature of the injury Griffey suffered in Sunday's game in Atlanta when he strained a tendon in his foot coming around second base.
Once Griffey gets going, he can run, but it's getting started and turning a corner - and, yes, stopping - that are the problems. No. 30 was out of the lineup Monday, and likely will be out of it again today, but maybe after that he can give it a try, said Reds medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek. That, though, is up to Reds management. It might wait until Friday, just to give Griffey two more games off and the regular off day Thursday.
These type injuries can be kind of touchy, Kremchek said. Nobody's going to run Griffey back out there unless they're sure.
But one thing is sure: There aren't many Griffey critics out there. Not given the year he's had following season-ending surgery on August 16, 2004, to repair a complete tear of his right hamstring. Kremchek re-attached the tendon to the bone with three screws.
All Griffey has done so far - including a slow April - is hit 35 home runs, knock in 92 runs and hit .301, to re-establish himself as one of the game's elite players. Monday's game was the first one he has missed this season because of injury.
Turns out Griffey must have had a premonition he was going to have a good year, despite the uncertainty of his surgery.
During spring training, Griffey made Kremchek promise him that if Griffey hit 50 home runs, the good doctor would shave his head right down to the skin and go with the bald head-and-sideburns look made famous by NBA star Shaquille O'Neal.
Kremchek thought it over a moment or two and then told Griffey, "OK, you're on."
It wasn't that Kremchek doubted that Griffey could hit 50, but rather that Kremchek probably figured that if Griffey did hit 50, why sweat the Shaq-look when you're the guy who gave Junior a chance to put himself back on the map?
Sure enough, Griffey telephoned Kremchek after Sunday's game. Everybody who saw Griffey come up lame Sunday feared the worst; Kremchek was among them.
"Admit it, you were afraid, weren't you, Doc?" Griffey asked Kremchek.
"Well, sure, it's always a concern when you've had that kind of surgery," Kremchek said.
"No," said Griffey, "not that. You were afraid you were going to be wearing those Shaq chops in the off-season."
CALL-UPS: The Reds recalled from Triple-A Louisville right-handed pitchers Allan Simpson and Joe Valentine and catcher Miguel Perez, and selected from Louisville the contract of right-handed pitcher Chris Booker. Also spotted in the Reds clubhouse pre-game Monday was outfielder Chris Denorfia. He is being checked out medically; if he proves healthy, he could be called up, too.
'FREEL'-INGS: Ryan Freel (.282, 29 stolen bases) was activated, but it will probably be a couple of more days before he's in the lineup. He has missed 19 games since Aug. 16, when he went on the 15-day disabled list with torn cartilage in his right knee.
He's trying to become the first Red to steal 30-plus bases in consecutive seasons since Barry Larkin (51 in '95; 36 in '96).
OH, REALLY: Rich Aurilia pronounced himself fit before Monday's game. He had been battling a viral infection and had made just one plate appearance since last Wednesday, a pinch-hitting role in Sunday's game.
He was back in the No. 2 hole for Monday's game.
"I could deal with the fever and the chills at night, but the lack of energy was something I wasn't used to," he said.

Source: http://news.enquirer.com/