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MLB
Thursday, August 21
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Baseball Today
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SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Aug. 21
Kansas City at Cleveland (12:05 p.m. EDT). Indians All-Star Cliff Lee (17-2, 2.43 ERA) goes for AL-leading victory No. 18.
STARS
Wednesday
- Mike Pelfrey, Mets, allowed three hits and three runs in his first complete game, a 6-3 victory over the Braves.
- A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox, went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs in a 15-3 victory over the Mariners.
- J.J. Hardy, Brewers, homered and drove in a pair in a 5-2 win over the Astros.
- Brett Myers, Phillies, pitched a six-hitter in his sixth start since being recalled from the minors on July 20, striking out nine in a 4-0 win over the Nationals.
- Derek Jeter, Yankees, went 3-for-5 with a homer and a pair of RBIs in a 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays.
- Kevin Millwood, Rangers, gave up one run and six hits in a complete-game, 9-1 win over the punchless Tigers.
ANGELIC NUMBERS
Given a final chance to extend his hitting streak to 23 games, Garret Anderson delivered for the Angels with a ninth-inning infield single that drove in the winning run in a 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth for the Angels, his major league-leading and club- record 48th save.
JUNIOR GOES DEEP
Ken Griffey Jr. hit one of Chicago's four homers to move into a tie with Sammy Sosa for fifth on the career list, helping the White Sox to a 15-3 win over Seattle. Griffey's two-run drive in the second inning was his first since Chicago acquired him from Cincinnati on July 31, and No. 609 for his career.
A-NOTHER LOST SERIES
The A's 3-1 loss to Minnesota gave them an Oakland-record 11 straight series defeats. The last time the A's lost 11 series in a row was 1960, when they played in Kansas City. The Twins, by contrast, won their 11th consecutive home series, improving to 30-9 at the Metrodome since June 1 in their last home game until Sept. 5. They play 14 straight on the road, the longest trip the team has had since 1969.
NOT SO FAST
The Marlins were feeling pretty good after John Baker hit a pinch three-run homer in the ninth inning to knot their game against the Giants at 5-all. But reliever Matt Lindstrom walked Dave Roberts, gave up a single to Randy Winn and intentionally walked Aaron Rowand, loading the bases for Bengie Molina. His sacrifice fly in the ninth gave San Francisco the win.
REY-ES OF HOPE
Seeking another option for their suspect bullpen, the Mets agreed with right-hander Al Reyes on a minor league contract. Reyes closed games for Tampa Bay last year, earning a career-high 26 saves in 30 chances. This season, the 38-year-old Reyes was on the disabled list twice with shoulder injuries and was 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 26 outings before being released Monday after rejecting a minor league assignment. He'll help out a bullpen missing closer Billy Wagner.
DEAR FANS
The Reds explained why they traded stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn and ask for patience in a letter sent to fans this week. The letter was sent by e-mail and posted on the team Web site, and was signed by owner Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty. It states the team is building with young talent and believes the trades were important for future success.
HIGH AND TIGHT
Kansas City outfielder Mitch Maier left in the fifth inning of an 8-5 loss to Cleveland after getting hit in the face by a pitch from Indians starter Zach Jackson. Maier immediately crumpled to the ground, and manager Trey Hillman and team trainers came out to check on him. Maier walked off the field and was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which revealed three broken bones below his right eye.
SPEAKING
"We've been around for a lot of things, good times, bad times. We understand there's a sense of urgency but I think everyone understands that. ... It's our job to go out and try to prove people wrong.'' - Yankees captain Derek Jeter, on the pressure of trying to reach the postseason.
SEASONS
Aug. 21
1919 - Bert Adams of the Philadelphia Phillies tied a National League record for catchers by recording seven assists in one game.
1926 - Ted Lyons of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 6-0 victory was achieved in 1 hour, 7 minutes.
1931 - Babe Ruth hit his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1947 - The first Little League World Series was at Williamsport, Pa. The Maynard Midgets of Williamsport won the series.
1972 - Steve Carlton of Philadelphia had his 15-game winning streak snapped when Phil Niekro and the Atlanta Braves beat the Phillies 2-1 in 11 innings.
1975 - Pitching brothers Rick and Paul Reuschel of the Chicago Cubs combined to throw a 7-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rick went 6 1-3 innings and Paul finished the shutout for the first ever by two brothers.
1982 - Milwaukee pitcher Rollie Fingers became the first player to achieve 300 career saves as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2.
1986 - Spike Owens had four hits and became the first major league player in 40 years to score six runs in a game as the Boston Red Sox routed the Cleveland Indians 24-5 with a 24-hit attack.
1999 - Sammy Sosa hit his major league leading 50th and 51st home runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Sosa, who hit 66 homers last season, became the fourth player to post consecutive 50-homer seasons, joining Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr. and Babe Ruth.
2005 - Mike Jacobs of the New York Mets becomes the 90th player to homer in his first major league at-bat during a 7-4 loss to Washington.
2007 - Garret Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels drove in a team-record 10 runs in an 18-9 rout of the New York Yankees. Anderson hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run double and an RBI double to become the 12th player in major league history to have 10 RBIs in a game.
2007 - Arizona's Mark Reynolds tied the major league record for consecutive strikeouts by a non-pitcher when he fanned in his ninth straight plate appearance in a 7-4 loss to Milwaukee. Reynolds struck out in his first two at-bats against Dave Bush to match the record. Bush hit Reynolds with a pitch in the sixth, ending the streak.
Today's birthdays: B.J. Upton 24; Jason Marquis 30; Raymond Vazquez 33; Craig Counsell 38.
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MLB
Thursday, August 21
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Baseball Today
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SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Aug. 21
Kansas City at Cleveland (12:05 p.m. EDT). Indians All-Star Cliff Lee (17-2, 2.43 ERA) goes for AL-leading victory No. 18.
STARS
Wednesday
- Mike Pelfrey, Mets, allowed three hits and three runs in his first complete game, a 6-3 victory over the Braves.
- A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox, went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs in a 15-3 victory over the Mariners.
- J.J. Hardy, Brewers, homered and drove in a pair in a 5-2 win over the Astros.
- Brett Myers, Phillies, pitched a six-hitter in his sixth start since being recalled from the minors on July 20, striking out nine in a 4-0 win over the Nationals.
- Derek Jeter, Yankees, went 3-for-5 with a homer and a pair of RBIs in a 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays.
- Kevin Millwood, Rangers, gave up one run and six hits in a complete-game, 9-1 win over the punchless Tigers.
ANGELIC NUMBERS
Given a final chance to extend his hitting streak to 23 games, Garret Anderson delivered for the Angels with a ninth-inning infield single that drove in the winning run in a 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth for the Angels, his major league-leading and club- record 48th save.
JUNIOR GOES DEEP
Ken Griffey Jr. hit one of Chicago's four homers to move into a tie with Sammy Sosa for fifth on the career list, helping the White Sox to a 15-3 win over Seattle. Griffey's two-run drive in the second inning was his first since Chicago acquired him from Cincinnati on July 31, and No. 609 for his career.
A-NOTHER LOST SERIES
The A's 3-1 loss to Minnesota gave them an Oakland-record 11 straight series defeats. The last time the A's lost 11 series in a row was 1960, when they played in Kansas City. The Twins, by contrast, won their 11th consecutive home series, improving to 30-9 at the Metrodome since June 1 in their last home game until Sept. 5. They play 14 straight on the road, the longest trip the team has had since 1969.
NOT SO FAST
The Marlins were feeling pretty good after John Baker hit a pinch three-run homer in the ninth inning to knot their game against the Giants at 5-all. But reliever Matt Lindstrom walked Dave Roberts, gave up a single to Randy Winn and intentionally walked Aaron Rowand, loading the bases for Bengie Molina. His sacrifice fly in the ninth gave San Francisco the win.
REY-ES OF HOPE
Seeking another option for their suspect bullpen, the Mets agreed with right-hander Al Reyes on a minor league contract. Reyes closed games for Tampa Bay last year, earning a career-high 26 saves in 30 chances. This season, the 38-year-old Reyes was on the disabled list twice with shoulder injuries and was 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 26 outings before being released Monday after rejecting a minor league assignment. He'll help out a bullpen missing closer Billy Wagner.
DEAR FANS
The Reds explained why they traded stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn and ask for patience in a letter sent to fans this week. The letter was sent by e-mail and posted on the team Web site, and was signed by owner Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty. It states the team is building with young talent and believes the trades were important for future success.
HIGH AND TIGHT
Kansas City outfielder Mitch Maier left in the fifth inning of an 8-5 loss to Cleveland after getting hit in the face by a pitch from Indians starter Zach Jackson. Maier immediately crumpled to the ground, and manager Trey Hillman and team trainers came out to check on him. Maier walked off the field and was taken to a hospital for X-rays, which revealed three broken bones below his right eye.
SPEAKING
"We've been around for a lot of things, good times, bad times. We understand there's a sense of urgency but I think everyone understands that. ... It's our job to go out and try to prove people wrong.'' - Yankees captain Derek Jeter, on the pressure of trying to reach the postseason.
SEASONS
Aug. 21
1919 - Bert Adams of the Philadelphia Phillies tied a National League record for catchers by recording seven assists in one game.
1926 - Ted Lyons of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no-hitter over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 6-0 victory was achieved in 1 hour, 7 minutes.
1931 - Babe Ruth hit his 600th home run as the Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns 11-7.
1947 - The first Little League World Series was at Williamsport, Pa. The Maynard Midgets of Williamsport won the series.
1972 - Steve Carlton of Philadelphia had his 15-game winning streak snapped when Phil Niekro and the Atlanta Braves beat the Phillies 2-1 in 11 innings.
1975 - Pitching brothers Rick and Paul Reuschel of the Chicago Cubs combined to throw a 7-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rick went 6 1-3 innings and Paul finished the shutout for the first ever by two brothers.
1982 - Milwaukee pitcher Rollie Fingers became the first player to achieve 300 career saves as the Brewers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2.
1986 - Spike Owens had four hits and became the first major league player in 40 years to score six runs in a game as the Boston Red Sox routed the Cleveland Indians 24-5 with a 24-hit attack.
1999 - Sammy Sosa hit his major league leading 50th and 51st home runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to an 8-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Sosa, who hit 66 homers last season, became the fourth player to post consecutive 50-homer seasons, joining Mark McGwire, Ken Griffey Jr. and Babe Ruth.
2005 - Mike Jacobs of the New York Mets becomes the 90th player to homer in his first major league at-bat during a 7-4 loss to Washington.
2007 - Garret Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels drove in a team-record 10 runs in an 18-9 rout of the New York Yankees. Anderson hit a grand slam, a three-run homer, a two-run double and an RBI double to become the 12th player in major league history to have 10 RBIs in a game.
2007 - Arizona's Mark Reynolds tied the major league record for consecutive strikeouts by a non-pitcher when he fanned in his ninth straight plate appearance in a 7-4 loss to Milwaukee. Reynolds struck out in his first two at-bats against Dave Bush to match the record. Bush hit Reynolds with a pitch in the sixth, ending the streak.
Today's birthdays: B.J. Upton 24; Jason Marquis 30; Raymond Vazquez 33; Craig Counsell 38.
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