BOSTON: LF Manny Ramirez argued with home plate umpire Larry Vanover after a called third strike in the second inning, but quickly calmed down. Ramirez entered the game with a .327 career average against Kenny Rogers, the only Boston player that has hit over .300 against Rogers with more than three at-bats ... DH David Ortiz, a big NBA fan, was pleasantly surprised to hear that the Detroit Pistons have been using Boston's comeback against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS as inspiration while they try to overcome a 3-1 deficit against Miami in the Eastern Conference finals. "That's really cool," he said. "They are a great team, so it's cool that they are using what we did to believe that they can come back."
DETROIT: RHP Jeremy Bonderman's wife Amber gave birth to their first child, Mailee Blaize, on Thursday. "I wanted her to get here in time for Father's Day, so that I can get a gift," he said Friday. ... RHP Mike Maroth underwent successful arthroscopic elbow surgery in Los Angeles on Friday. Maroth, who had bone chips removed from his pitching elbow, is expected to miss 2-3 months. ... Many of the Tigers planned to keep a close eye on Friday's Game 6 of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals between the Pistons and Miami. While most of the Tigers are Pistons fans, C Ivan Rodriguez is an exception. "I love the Pistons -- those guys are my friends -- but they are playing against my team. I'm a Miami guy," he said.
Angels-Indians
LOS ANGELES: RHP Bartolo Colon (shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to make his second minor league rehab start Tuesday at Triple-A Salt Lake City. "We'll evaluate him after that," manager Mike Scioscia said. On Thursday night, Colon pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, striking out three and walking one for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. "He touched 93 (mph), had good command and finished strong," Scioscia said. Colon, last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, is 0-2 with a 7.07 ERA in three starts. ... Darin Erstad (bone bruise in right ankle) was due to start a rehab assignment as the DH at Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night. If there are no setbacks, he will join Salt Lake City on Saturday and rejoin the Angels next week.
CLEVELAND: First a candy bar, now an imaginary city. Pronkmania is running wild. Travis Hafner's catchy nickname has spawned a new creation: "Pronkville," a mezzanine section in right field of Jacobs Field where Cleveland's DH has launched some of his longest home runs. The Indians will officially dedicate "Pronkville" next Wednesday for a game against Oakland, and give all fans who purchase tickets in the section free black "Pronkville 48" T-shirts. "It's cool," Hafner said. "I was pretty happy about the T-shirts they made up. They fit into my wardrobe nicely." ... RHP Roger Clemens, who came out of retirement for a third time earlier this week by signing a one-year, $22 million contract with Houston, will make his debut next Tuesday against the Indians' Class-A Lake County affiliate. ... The Indians' No. 9 hitters are batting a major league-best .324 with three homers and 31 RBIs in 53 games. The next highest average in the No. 9 spot belongs to Minnesota (.266).
Yankees-Orioles
NEW YORK: 3B Alex Rodriguez was a late scratch from the starting lineup Friday because of a "stomach disorder," according to a team official. The 2005 AL MVP hasn't missed a game since 2004. It was uncertain if Rodriguez would be available as a pinch hitter. ... Closer Mariano Rivera was unavailable Friday, but he said before the game that his back was showing signs of improvement. The right-hander felt a twinge while reaching for his shoes before Thursday's game at Detroit. "Today I feel real good. Yesterday was painful," he said. Manager Joe Torre didn't expect Rivera to rush back. "I think with how uncomfortable he was," Torre said, "I don't think he's going to try and be a hero." ... RHP Octavio Dotel (elbow surgery) struck out two during a perfect inning in the front end of his first back-to-back outings in extended spring training. He will throw another inning Saturday and could join the Yankees around June 15.
BALTIMORE: LHP Adam Loewen will get his first major league start Saturday against New York. It will be the third big league appearance for the rookie, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft. "People keep on telling me I'm facing the Yankees," Loewen said Friday. "I don't think I'll lose sleep over it, but I am anxious to get out there and pitch." ... Orioles OF Jay Gibbons hoped to return to the lineup Friday, but hip and knee injuries will probably keep him sidelined for another day or two. ... C Ramon Hernandez batted cleanup Friday night for the first time this season. He replaced Javy Lopez, who had replaced Gibbons.
Blue Jays-Devil Rays
TORONTO: C Bengie Molina, who was hit on the hand by a pitched ball Tuesday, was out of the starting lineup. Manager John Gibbons said Molina could return Saturday. ... INF John McDonald (groin) may take grounders within the next couple days. He has been on the DL since May 27. ... RHP A.J. Burnett (elbow) could pitch a simulated game early next week and start a minor rehabilitation assignment this month.
TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon expects LHP Casey Fossum (left groin strain) to be ready when eligible to come off the disabled list on June 9. ... RHP Jeff Niemann (shoulder surgery), taken fourth overall in the 2004 draft, will make his third extended spring training start on Tuesday. "This is my spring training," said Niemann, who could join a minor league team within the next two weeks. "Building up strength." ... RHP Wade Townsend (elbow ligament replacement surgery), the Devil Rays' first-round draft pick last year, has added long toss to throwing program.
Rangers-White Sox
TEXAS: Utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. made a big jump in the standings when he was traded Wednesday from the Cubs to the Rangers for IF Phil Nevin, going from near the bottom of the NL Central to the top of the AL West. "Hopefully, this will be a fresh start for me, just get back to playing like I used to and having fun," said Hairston, who was batting .207. ... Manager Buck Showalter said RHP Kevin Millwood, bothered by a stiff back, looked "a little better" Friday and should be ready to start against Kansas City on Tuesday. Millwood was initially scheduled to pitch Sunday. "He's had a stiff back some, but it hasn't bothered him once he got out there and got heated up," Showalter said. "It's just the recovery process has gotten longer each time." ... With five hits, including a home run, in 13 at-bats entering Friday's game, OF Jason Botts is off to a good start -- after going 8-for-27 last season. "Anytime that you have a switch hitter that doesn't have a real definitive downside, it's intriguing about the possibilities," Showalter said. "I'll pick my spots with Jason. There might be some guys I'll keep him away from early on but at some point I'd like to turn him loose if he can handle it."
CHICAGO: DH Jim Thome was scratched from the lineup with a strain in the left quadriceps and adductor area, which he suffered during Thursday's 12-8 loss at Cleveland, but was available to pinch hit. "I'm pretty sure he'll be in the lineup (on Saturday)," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We don't need him for a couple of days; we need him for another three months." ... After showing promise as a starter last year, RHP Brandon McCarthy is struggling out of the bullpen in his second season. He was 2-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 17 appearances (16 in relief) before Friday's game. "It's tough to adjust to, but I like the fact that I have to learn how to do it," McCarthy said. With two runners on and the White Sox leading Cleveland 8-7 in the seventh on Thursday, McCarthy relieved Matt Thornton and retired the first batter before allowing a three-run homer to Ronnie Belliard, a triple to Aaron Boone and RBI single by Grady Sizemore. "I'll make (a) good pitch, good pitch, good pitch and then one pitch where it's not supposed to be," McCarthy said. ... The White Sox's home game against the Los Angeles Angels that was rained out on May 11 was rescheduled for Aug. 7.
DETROIT: RHP Jeremy Bonderman's wife Amber gave birth to their first child, Mailee Blaize, on Thursday. "I wanted her to get here in time for Father's Day, so that I can get a gift," he said Friday. ... RHP Mike Maroth underwent successful arthroscopic elbow surgery in Los Angeles on Friday. Maroth, who had bone chips removed from his pitching elbow, is expected to miss 2-3 months. ... Many of the Tigers planned to keep a close eye on Friday's Game 6 of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals between the Pistons and Miami. While most of the Tigers are Pistons fans, C Ivan Rodriguez is an exception. "I love the Pistons -- those guys are my friends -- but they are playing against my team. I'm a Miami guy," he said.
Angels-Indians
LOS ANGELES: RHP Bartolo Colon (shoulder inflammation) is scheduled to make his second minor league rehab start Tuesday at Triple-A Salt Lake City. "We'll evaluate him after that," manager Mike Scioscia said. On Thursday night, Colon pitched four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, striking out three and walking one for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. "He touched 93 (mph), had good command and finished strong," Scioscia said. Colon, last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, is 0-2 with a 7.07 ERA in three starts. ... Darin Erstad (bone bruise in right ankle) was due to start a rehab assignment as the DH at Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night. If there are no setbacks, he will join Salt Lake City on Saturday and rejoin the Angels next week.
CLEVELAND: First a candy bar, now an imaginary city. Pronkmania is running wild. Travis Hafner's catchy nickname has spawned a new creation: "Pronkville," a mezzanine section in right field of Jacobs Field where Cleveland's DH has launched some of his longest home runs. The Indians will officially dedicate "Pronkville" next Wednesday for a game against Oakland, and give all fans who purchase tickets in the section free black "Pronkville 48" T-shirts. "It's cool," Hafner said. "I was pretty happy about the T-shirts they made up. They fit into my wardrobe nicely." ... RHP Roger Clemens, who came out of retirement for a third time earlier this week by signing a one-year, $22 million contract with Houston, will make his debut next Tuesday against the Indians' Class-A Lake County affiliate. ... The Indians' No. 9 hitters are batting a major league-best .324 with three homers and 31 RBIs in 53 games. The next highest average in the No. 9 spot belongs to Minnesota (.266).
Yankees-Orioles
NEW YORK: 3B Alex Rodriguez was a late scratch from the starting lineup Friday because of a "stomach disorder," according to a team official. The 2005 AL MVP hasn't missed a game since 2004. It was uncertain if Rodriguez would be available as a pinch hitter. ... Closer Mariano Rivera was unavailable Friday, but he said before the game that his back was showing signs of improvement. The right-hander felt a twinge while reaching for his shoes before Thursday's game at Detroit. "Today I feel real good. Yesterday was painful," he said. Manager Joe Torre didn't expect Rivera to rush back. "I think with how uncomfortable he was," Torre said, "I don't think he's going to try and be a hero." ... RHP Octavio Dotel (elbow surgery) struck out two during a perfect inning in the front end of his first back-to-back outings in extended spring training. He will throw another inning Saturday and could join the Yankees around June 15.
BALTIMORE: LHP Adam Loewen will get his first major league start Saturday against New York. It will be the third big league appearance for the rookie, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2002 amateur draft. "People keep on telling me I'm facing the Yankees," Loewen said Friday. "I don't think I'll lose sleep over it, but I am anxious to get out there and pitch." ... Orioles OF Jay Gibbons hoped to return to the lineup Friday, but hip and knee injuries will probably keep him sidelined for another day or two. ... C Ramon Hernandez batted cleanup Friday night for the first time this season. He replaced Javy Lopez, who had replaced Gibbons.
Blue Jays-Devil Rays
TORONTO: C Bengie Molina, who was hit on the hand by a pitched ball Tuesday, was out of the starting lineup. Manager John Gibbons said Molina could return Saturday. ... INF John McDonald (groin) may take grounders within the next couple days. He has been on the DL since May 27. ... RHP A.J. Burnett (elbow) could pitch a simulated game early next week and start a minor rehabilitation assignment this month.
TAMPA BAY: Manager Joe Maddon expects LHP Casey Fossum (left groin strain) to be ready when eligible to come off the disabled list on June 9. ... RHP Jeff Niemann (shoulder surgery), taken fourth overall in the 2004 draft, will make his third extended spring training start on Tuesday. "This is my spring training," said Niemann, who could join a minor league team within the next two weeks. "Building up strength." ... RHP Wade Townsend (elbow ligament replacement surgery), the Devil Rays' first-round draft pick last year, has added long toss to throwing program.
Rangers-White Sox
TEXAS: Utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. made a big jump in the standings when he was traded Wednesday from the Cubs to the Rangers for IF Phil Nevin, going from near the bottom of the NL Central to the top of the AL West. "Hopefully, this will be a fresh start for me, just get back to playing like I used to and having fun," said Hairston, who was batting .207. ... Manager Buck Showalter said RHP Kevin Millwood, bothered by a stiff back, looked "a little better" Friday and should be ready to start against Kansas City on Tuesday. Millwood was initially scheduled to pitch Sunday. "He's had a stiff back some, but it hasn't bothered him once he got out there and got heated up," Showalter said. "It's just the recovery process has gotten longer each time." ... With five hits, including a home run, in 13 at-bats entering Friday's game, OF Jason Botts is off to a good start -- after going 8-for-27 last season. "Anytime that you have a switch hitter that doesn't have a real definitive downside, it's intriguing about the possibilities," Showalter said. "I'll pick my spots with Jason. There might be some guys I'll keep him away from early on but at some point I'd like to turn him loose if he can handle it."
CHICAGO: DH Jim Thome was scratched from the lineup with a strain in the left quadriceps and adductor area, which he suffered during Thursday's 12-8 loss at Cleveland, but was available to pinch hit. "I'm pretty sure he'll be in the lineup (on Saturday)," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We don't need him for a couple of days; we need him for another three months." ... After showing promise as a starter last year, RHP Brandon McCarthy is struggling out of the bullpen in his second season. He was 2-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 17 appearances (16 in relief) before Friday's game. "It's tough to adjust to, but I like the fact that I have to learn how to do it," McCarthy said. With two runners on and the White Sox leading Cleveland 8-7 in the seventh on Thursday, McCarthy relieved Matt Thornton and retired the first batter before allowing a three-run homer to Ronnie Belliard, a triple to Aaron Boone and RBI single by Grady Sizemore. "I'll make (a) good pitch, good pitch, good pitch and then one pitch where it's not supposed to be," McCarthy said. ... The White Sox's home game against the Los Angeles Angels that was rained out on May 11 was rescheduled for Aug. 7.
