some notes for thurs...

[IE]

Devil Rays' Winn was not in the lineup for the first time since June 3.

Manager Hal McRae said he had been looking for a chance to rest Winn, who had a team-record 42 hits in June but is 4-for-17 over his past four games. "It's a keep-him-hot day off," McRae said.

Jason Conti played centerfield Wednesday, with Dave McCarty in left. McRae said he may rest Ben Grieve tonight, with Conti playing rightfield.

PITCHING IN: A decision has not been made, but McRae said it might be better for the Rays to wait until after the All-Star break to activate pitcher Ryan Rupe, who is on the disabled list with knee tendinitis.

If the Rays do wait, Jorge Sosa will make his third start Saturday. Rupe likely would go to the back end of the rotation, pitching July 15.

McRae said Greg Vaughn's bruised right shoulder is getting better, but he has not tested it by hitting or throwing.


===

Luis Gonzalez, in a 0-for-15 slump, didn't start Wednesday, but he did pinch-hit.

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X-rays on Mike Sweeney's finger were negative. The first baseman is day-to-day after receiving two stitches.
Sweeney could play Thursday if there's not too much swelling.

Carlos Beltran left Wednesday's game in the fifth with a split big toenail on his left foot.
He was running out the ball in third inning when Mariners first baseman John Olerud stepped on his foot. Consider Beltran day-to-day. Michael Tucker could start in his place Thursday

 

[IE]

Baylor pointed to the Cubs' record in day games this season ? 14-28 ? as the main reason for the team's 33-48 first-half record.

"Look at how we play day games ? and a majority of our games are day games," Baylor said. "That's why we are where we are. I've heard that it's hard to win playing so many day games. I've heard it a lot. We tried to disprove that last year. We had a nice record at home (48-33). We had a lot of confidence at home.

"This year, for whatever reason, I don't know what the answer is."

Carlos Zambrano, who took the loss against Florida on Monday, will start against Atlanta on Saturday..Kevin Millwood is slated to go against Matt Clement on Friday. ... Left fielder Moises Alou (sore right calf muscle) was scratched from Wednesday night's game.

 

[IE]

Asked before the game if he had decided who would start against Milwaukee on Friday night when the fifth spot in the rotation comes up again, Boone said he hadn't, but that Luis Pineda was no longer available out of the bullpen because, "I'm setting him up for a start.''

That plan lasted only until Pineda went to the bullpen for his regular side session. He experienced discomfort when he tried to throw and was taken for an MRI. It revealed tendinitis in Pineda's right shoulder. The right-hander has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, with a corresponding roster move to be announced today.

The move was made retroactive to Monday, meaning Pineda will be eligible to be activated July 16.

As for the corresponding roster move, the Reds may purchase the contract of third baseman Brandon Larson from Class AAA Louisville. Larson, who entered Wednesday hitting .342 with 22 home runs and 59 RBI, isn't on the 40-man roster. But in a procedural move to clear a roster spot, the Reds also outrighted Lance Davis to Class AA Chattanooga.

NOTEWORTHY--Reliever Scott Williamson underwent an MRI on his right elbow this week after reporting soreness there, but the results were normal. Williamson missed almost all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He is available to pitch. . . .

The Reds' rotation is in danger of breaking last year's franchise record for the longest stretch without a complete game to begin a season. The Reds got their first complete game in their 92nd game last year, when Davis threw one against Detroit. The Reds entered Wednesday having gone 82 games without one. If they do break the record, it will be the third straight year they have done so.

 

[IE]

Casey hits batting cage on day off
Reds first baseman Sean Casey spent about 30 minutes taking batting practice alone on the field Wednesday, with bullpen catcher Mark Berry throwing to him.

Despite the withering heat, Casey was free to expend all his energy on the exercise because he was out of the starting lineup after going hitless in his previous 10 at-bats.

"He's going to hit extra quite a bit,'' manager Bob Boone said. "The last two days, I couldn't get him calmed down. When he gets that adrenaline going, his swing really falls apart. He was swinging so well in St. Louis.''

Casey, who had a nine-game hitting streak until it was snapped Monday night, rejected the notion he is struggling at the plate.

"I don't think my swing is falling apart,'' he said. "I just haven't had any hits fall for me the last couple of days, but that's the way it goes. My swing feels better right now that it has felt all season. But there are going to be days where you just don't get hits.''

With another scorcher expected, Boone probably will rest a few regulars this afternoon against the Brewers, giving him a chance to get some of his reserves into the lineup.

 

[IE]

The rotation coming out of the All-Star Game for the four-game series at Toronto will be John Burkett, Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez, and Frank Castillo. Speaking of starters, Little said that when the Red Sox conclude the first half of the season against the Tigers Sunday, ''everyone will be available.''

 

[IE]

Though he indicated nothing is imminent, manager Jeff Torborg said he has given ''some thought'' to moving a starter into the closer's role.

''Maybe it's not now,'' Torborg said, ``but we've done it before.''

Torborg was a member of the Yankees coaching staff when Dave Righetti was converted to closer with impressive results.

''This is all hypothetical stuff,'' Torborg said of any potential move.

Closer Vladimir N??ez has struggled, blowing four of his past seven save chances and narrowly escaping a harrowing ninth inning Tuesday.

''I'm not writing Nuny off,'' Torborg said.

 

[IE]

Shoulder injury lands Lee on disabled list
By Bob Brookover
Inquirer Staff Writer

Travis Lee was called out at home plate Tuesday night when he tried to slide head-first past New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza.

Now the Phillies first baseman is out at least two more weeks with what was described last night as a sprained left shoulder that occurred on that play.

Manager Larry Bowa said before the game that he did not know how serious Lee's injury was, but it was decided during the Phillies' 8-7 win that the first baseman would be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

"I'm pessimistic enough to think he'll miss at least two weeks," Bowa said.

The Phillies will replace Lee on the roster by recalling outfielder/first baseman Eric Valent from triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. In two stints and 41 at-bats with the Phillies last season, Valent batted .098 with just one RBI. He went into last night's game at Scranton with a .243 batting average, four home runs and 48 RBIs. He had a productive June, driving in 25 runs.

Bowa said the Phillies also were sending Dave Hollins out on a rehabilitation assignment. If Hollins plays well, he could eventually replace Valent on the roster.

Phils want Plesac back. The Phillies have asked reliever Dan Plesac if he'd be interested in returning to the team next season.

"They've talked to me about coming back," the veteran reliever said. "I've had a couple of conversations with (manager) Larry Bowa and a conversation with (general manager) Ed Wade. I'm as confused as ever."

Plesac, 40, said he plans to go home to Indiana during the All-Star break and return with an answer as to whether he wants to pitch for the Phillies again next season. If the answer is no, Wade will attempt to trade the lefthander before the July 31 deadline.

"I'm going to go home for three days and do some soul searching," Plesac said. "Hopefully something will come over me and tell me what to do. I'm looking out for myself here, but I want to do what's right for the Phillies, too. I don't want to do anything that will put them in a bad situation. Larry and Ed have been very good to me since I've been here."

When Plesac headed for spring training in February, he left his wife Leslie with the impression that this would be his final season in baseball.

He even told Toronto reporters that this was probably going to be his final year. If that's the case, he admits he'd probably like one last chance to play in the postseason, something he has done just once in 17 previous seasons.

"Deep down, I really would like to get one more taste of October baseball," Plesac said. "I definitely have to weigh the factor of my wife and [two daughters]. My wife really felt when I left that this was going to be it. I have to be sure in my heart that I want to go through the grind for another season. I have no problem with it right now. I love coming out here."

Giambi wrist watch. With Lee out of the lineup and Jeremy Giambi still nursing tendinitis in his right wrist, Bowa was forced to play Tomas Perez at first base last night. It was Perez's second start of his career at first base. His other start also came this season.

Giambi did not take batting practice for the third straight day, but he said he would test his wrist today in batting practice and play against the Montreal Expos if he felt all right.

Extra bases. The Phillies open a four-game series with the Expos today at 3:05. Scheduled pitching matchups for the series: Masato Yoshii (2-2, 4.13) vs. Vicente Padilla (10-5, 3.25) today, Tomo Ohka (7-4, 3.29) vs. Robert Person (3-4, 4.96) tomorrow , Javier Vazquez (5-5, 3.76) vs. Brandon Duckworth (5-5, 4.56) on Saturday and Bartolo Colon (1-0, 1.29) vs. Terry Adams (4-6, 4.34) on Sunday.

 

[The Mover]

IE thanks for taking the time to post these notes . I read them faithfully. gl

 

[IE]

change of starters for cinn...

=

MILWAUKEE AT CINCINNATI -- LINEUPS

MILWAUKEE CINCINNATI
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Alex Sanchez LF .300 0 18 Todd Walker 2B .279 4 28
Eric Young 2B .249 2 17 Aaron Boone SS .228 11 41
Jeffrey Hammonds CF .276 5 28 Adam Dunn LF .301 16 50
Richie Sexson 1B .279 18 58 Juan Encarnacion CF .276 16 47
Tyler Houston 3B .330 7 32 Sean Casey 1B .283 5 33
Alex Ochoa RF .255 4 15 Austin Kearns RF .289 8 29
Jose Hernandez SS .284 13 40 Russell Branyan 3B .235 3 9
Robert Machado C .272 2 15 Corky Miller C .265 3 13
Jose Cabrera RHP .000 0 0 Jared Fernandez RHP .000 0 0
(4-5, 4.84) (NO RECORD)

 

[IE]

Cincinnati Reds -- Purchased the contract of pitcher Jared
Fernandez from Louisville of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).

he gets the start today instead of elmer.....

 

[IE]

posada gets siome rest today....

CLEVELAND AT NY YANKEES -- LINEUPS

CLEVELAND NY YANKEES
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Matt Lawton RF .245 9 32 Alfonso Soriano 2B .321 20 51
Omar Vizquel SS .294 10 46 Derek Jeter SS .314 11 40
Lee Stevens 1B .333 0 1 Bernie Williams CF .303 10 41
Jim Thome DH .281 26 60 Jason Giambi 1B .312 21 65
Travis Fryman 3B .222 8 37 Raul Mondesi RF .226 15 46
Benjamin Broussard LF .190 1 2 Ron Coomer DH .354 3 10
Chris Magruder CF .222 3 13 Robin Ventura 3B .260 19 60
John Mcdonald 2B .253 0 7 Shane Spencer LF .247 5 24
Eddie Perez C .250 0 3 Chris Widger C .000 0 0

Chuck Finley LHP (4-10, 3.88) Mike Mussina RHP (11-3, 4.72

 

[IE]

According to USA Today, a glance at the past 10 years shows 67 percent of the teams in first place on July4 went on to make the playoffs.

 

[IE]

the knuckleballer's last start at louisville:

http://www.courier-journal.com/cjsports/news2002/06/26/sp062602s232452.htm

 

[IE]

its looking like bascik tomorrow night for mets.......

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The Mets have decided which pitcher will fill in for disabled Steve Trachsel (shoulder) tomorrow at Florida, but they don't plan to announce it until today at the earliest. Lefthander Mike Bacsik, who is scheduled to pitch tomorrow for Triple-A Norfolk, appears the most likely candidate.

Tyler Walker, who made his major-league debut in the ninth inning Tuesday and allowed a two-run homer to Scott Rolen, is another candidate, along with Bobby Jones.

Before last night's Tides game in Norfolk, Bacsik said he hadn't been informed of any decision. But he was aware of the rumors of an imminent promotion, thanks to an uncle who monitors the New York papers.

"Nobody's told me anything yet," said Bacsik, who came to the Mets in the Alomar trade.

Start for Komiyama: Satoru Komiyama, who had been working in relief for the Mets before being demoted, pitched four scoreless innings against Richmond last night, allowing only two hits while striking out three and walking none in a 50-pitch performance. . .. Al Leiter (8-6, 2.95 ERA), who will face righthander Julian Tavarez (6-4, 5.67) in tonight's series opener against the Marlins, headed to Miami ahead of his teammates to get the proper rest.