Roy Halladay gives up 3 HRs but Phillies find a way past Nats

In most cases, when a pitcher gives up two hits to open the seventh inning after a long outing, a manager would think about making a move to the bullpen. With Roy Halladay on the mound, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel didn't flinch.

Halladay got out of the seventh inning jam by striking out Jayson Werth and beat the Washington Nationals for the 10th straight time, with some help from Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez.

Halladay allowed 10 hits and four runs over 7 innings, striking out five without a walk. Howard and Ibanez hit back-to-back homers in the fourth and each drove in a run in Philadelphia's seventh-inning rally for a 5-4 win Monday.

After the Phillies took the lead in the top of the seventh, the Nationals appeared poised to snatch it back. Alex Cora led off with a double, and a bunt single by Ian Desmond put runners on the corners with no outs. Despite the trouble, Manuel trusted his ace, and Halladay (7-3) came through.

"He was there all the way. He got out of it, didn't he?," Manuel said. "That's who he is. He wants to be there, and that's what a No. 1 does."

Halladay knocked down a grounder up the middle by Rick Ankiel and caught Cora in a rundown for the first out, then Danny Espinosa popped out before Werth's strikeout.

"It was a grind, it really was," Halladay said. "Fortunately we did enough offensively. They picked me up a couple times. It was a nice way to end it, for sure."

The Phillies' offense put Halladay ahead in the top of the seventh with three big at-bats by left-handed hitters -- Chase Utley, Howard and Ibanez -- against the Nationals' left-handed reliever Sean Burnett.

Starter Livan Hernandez left with a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning after allowing a one-out single to Placido Polanco. Burnett (0-2) then walked Utley and Howard followed with a run-scoring single to tie the game. Ibanez's sacrifice fly scored Utley with the go-ahead run.

"That was a key point for us in the game, to be able to come back," Howard said. "It was a hard-fought game by both teams, back and forth."

Halladay gave up solo home runs to Michael Morse, Espinosa and Laynce Nix, the first time this season he's given up multiple homers in a game. Halladay had allowed a total of two home runs in his first 11 starts.

"It's hard to walk away from this one," Burnett said. "Livo threw a good game. Our offense put up four on Halladay, that's not going to happen too much. We need a win, and we had it won if I can execute and get the lefties out I'm supposed to get."

Halladay is 11-1 against the Nationals and Expos franchise since losing June 28, 2002, in Montreal.

Washington has now lost three in a row and eight of nine.

Howard and Ibanez keyed two big Phillies rallies. The back-to-back homers started a three-run fourth inning to put Philadelphia ahead after Washington had taken a 2-0 lead in the second on Morse's homer and Hernandez's sacrifice squeeze bunt.

Espinosa tied the game at 3 with a two-out home run into the right field seats in the fifth, and Washington took a 4-3 lead on Nix's shot in the sixth inning.

Manuel said he knew teams would start to score runs even against his star pitcher with the weather warming up. The temperature was 92 degrees when the game started at 1 p.m.

"This is hitting season," Manuel said. "It's hot, it's warm, they're swinging. Teams get up for Roy, which is good. He likes that. That's part of competing, and part of who he is. ... Some days you're going to get hit, and he passed the test pretty good today."

Game notesPhiladelphia is 24-0 when leading after seven innings this season. ... Ibanez has 999 career RBIs. ... Halladay has gone at least six innings in 60 straight road starts, the longest streak since Walter Johnson did it in 82 straight from 1911-1915. ... Ryan Madson pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 12 chances. ... Nationals SS Desmond was held out of the starting lineup to rest, although he entered as part of a double switch in the seventh inning. Washington manager Jim Riggleman said Desmond has some "aches and pains." ... Both teams wore stars-and-stripes themed caps for the Memorial Day holiday. "If you're going to play on Memorial Day, I can't imagine anyplace else to play a baseball game than Washington, D.C.," Manuel said. "That's pretty good."

Docs think Gary Carter has glioblastoma

The family of Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter received an update from Duke University doctors on Carter's cancer diagnosis Saturday night. Doctors informed Carter's family that they were "99 percent sure" that he has a Grade 4 glioblastoma, which affects the brain and central nervous system. It is inoperable.

Amid the sad news on Gary Carter, we look back at happier times at the Hall of Famer's top Mets moments.

The doctors will know more Tuesday and are expected to confirm results then. Despite the difficult diagnosis, the family remains hopeful that Carter can be cured completely, Carter's daughter, Kimmy Bloemers, wrote on a family website.
"This will not be an easy road at all, nor is this a simple battle but WE WILL FIGHT," Bloemers wrote late Saturday night.
Doctors told the Carter family that Carter's tumors are "like a snake of tumors that are connected across the back of the brain," according to Bloemers' post on the family website.
But Bloemers writes that Carter's doctor, Dr. Henry S. Friedman, remains optimistic.
"We are going for it, attacking it and doing all we can to shrink these tumors. (Friedman) explained that we are not fighting to prolong Dad's life, instead, we are fighting to cure him completely," Bloemers writes. "He is encouraged that dad will be able to fight well because he is so young, strong and healthy."
Doctors from Duke University said in a statement released Friday that Carter's tumors appeared to be malignant.

The 57-year-old Carter, who just completed his second season as Palm Beach Atlantic University's baseball coach, announced May 21 that an MRI had revealed four small tumors on his brain. Doctors performed biopsies on a single tumor on Friday before announcing that it appeared to be malignant. Carter had been complaining of headaches and forgetfulness before his diagnosis.

After being diagnosed, Carter said, "My wife, Sandy, and our children and family thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We ask you to please respect our privacy as we learn more about my medical condition."
Carter, an 11-time All-Star, was inducted into Cooperstown in 2003 after retiring in 1992 with the Montreal Expos. He finished his 19-year career with a .262 average, 324 home runs and 1,225 RBIs.
The effervescent Carter, nicknamed "Kid," is perhaps best known for helping the New York Mets win the 1986 World Series. He had 24 homers and 105 RBIs that year, then drove in 11 runs in the postseason.
Carter is surrounded by his family while being treated at the The Preston Robert Tisch Brian Tumor Center at Duke.

Yanks' Bartolo Colon blanks A's in complete game effort

Bartolo Colon pitched a four-hitter for his first shutout in nearly five years and Mark Teixeira homered in the first inning to help the New York Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics for the eighth straight time, 5-0 on Monday.

Robinson Cano added an RBI double in the three-run first against Trevor Cahill (6-3) and Derek Jeter recorded his 2,981st career hit and drove in a run for the Yankees, who have won 22 of 26 games against Oakland since the start of the 2008 season.

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The offensively challenged A's were shut out for the sixth time this year, getting only four baserunners against Colon (3-3) to snap a season-longest four-game winning streak.

Colon allowed no walks and struck out six to snap a five-start winless stretch with his first shutout since blanking Seattle 4-0 on July 5, 2006, with the Angels.

This marked the latest step in a remarkable comeback season for the 38-year-old Colon, who was out of baseball a year ago and was brought by the Yankees to spring training on a minor league deal. Colon earned a spot in the rotation early this season and has maintained it with a 3.26 ERA in the opening two months of the year.

The Yankees have now won back-to-back games behind strong starts from Colon and CC Sabathia after losing the first two games of their nine-game West Coast trip.

Cahill was shelled in two starts against the Yankees last year, allowing 14 runs in 10 innings in two losses. He started this game much the same way with a three-run first inning.

Jeter got it started with a leadoff single and scored with one out on Teixeira's 16th home run and seventh in the past 11 games. Alex Rodriguez then walked and scored on Cano's double. Cano was caught on the play rounding too far past second and Cahill settled down after that. He retired Jorge Posada to get out of the first and then gave up just one hit and no runs over the next five innings.

The Yankees then added an insurance run in the seventh. Brett Gardner and Francisco Cervelli walked and pulled off a double steal. Gardner then scored on Jeter's shallow fly to center field when Coco Crisp's throw home was far off target. Cahill allowed four runs, four hits and five walks in 6 2/3 innings and is winless in his last four starts.

That proved to be more than enough the way Colon was dealing against Oakland's struggling offense, which has the third fewest runs in the majors.

After allowing a leadoff double to Josh Willingham in the second inning, Colon retired the next 12 hitters. Kevin Kouzmanoff broke that streak with a leadoff single in the sixth.

Kurt Suzuki reached on an infield hit in the eighth before being erased by a double play. Colon then pitched around Cliff Pennington's leadoff double in the ninth to finish his ninth career shutout. He hit 95 mph on the radar gun on the final of his 103 pitches, getting David DeJesus to fly out to left to end the game.

Game notesYankees C Russell Martin was scratched before the game with a sore left big toe. His replacement, Cervelli, became the first Yankees catcher to steal two bases in a game since current manager Joe Girardi did it June 27, 1996, against Baltimore. ... Monday marked the 16th anniversary of Jeter's first career hit. ... A's starters have allowed four runs or fewer in 28 straight starts, the longest streak for the team since a 32-gamer in 1980-81.

Infielder Wilson Valdez earns win as Phillies break through in 19th

Wilson Valdez has a new career as a late-inning reliever.

Late. Really, really late.

Valdez shifted over from second base and wound up as the winning pitcher early Thursday when the Philadelphia Phillies needed 19 innings to outlast the Cincinnati Reds 5-4.
In front of a dwindling crowd at Citizens Bank Park, Raul Ibanez hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to decide the longest major league game of the season. It ended at 1:19 a.m. local time after 6 hours, 11 minutes.

Shaving cream nestled in his beard and dripping off his ear in the locker room, Valdez wanted to keep pitching.

"I can go for three more, four more (innings). Whatever," he said.

Who knows? The Phillies might need him on short notice

Not much time for rest, either. The teams were set to play again Thursday at 1:05 p.m.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel strolled through the clubhouse after 1:30 a.m. wishing everyone a good morning.

He had every reason to smile because of Valdez.

Valdez threw a hitless 19th inning in his first professional pitching appearance. Phillies fans stood and chanted "Let's go, Wilson!" when the 33-year-old Valdez shifted from second to the mound.

The first batter he faced was Joey Votto, and the reigning NL MVP flied out to deep center field.

Valdez acted like a seasoned closer. He hit 90 mph on a fastball to Votto. He shook off catcher Dane Sardinha. And he showed no fear.

"If he hits a home run, they're not going to say anything to me," said Valdez, laughing.
Not bad for a journeyman infielder who became the first position player to earn a win since Colorado catcher Brent Mayne on Aug. 22, 2000, according to STATS LLC. Mayne went one inning in a 7-6 victory over Atlanta in 12 innings.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard put his mitt over his face to hide his smile when Valdez shook off his catcher.

"I was like, 'What is he going to throw? What does he have?" Howard said. "It was funny, but he got it done."

Some fans, young and old, already were asleep in the stands as the game played on. But plenty of the die-hards who stuck around made it a lively atmosphere, especially when Valdez took over as Philadelphia's ninth pitcher.

Valdez threw one pitch to the backstop and hit Scott Rolen. But the Phillies' newest right-hander then retired Jay Bruce on a fly ball and got Reds reliever Carlos Fisher (0-1) on a popup.

"If it's anything like how he throws balls to me, it's going to be nasty up there," Howard said. "He throws a lot of sinkers."

Fisher, the Reds' seventh pitcher, worked 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run and four hits. The Phillies used 21 players overall, the Reds 20.

Fisher finally wore down when Jimmy Rollins singled to open the 19th, Domonic Brown walked and Placido Polanco sacrificed. Thousands of fans derisively chanted "Fisher! Fisher!" before he intentionally walked Howard to load the bases. Ibanez had been 1 for 8 on the night when he hit a fly to deep center to win it.

"The fans were great to get on him like that," Howard said. "We couldn't have done it without them."

The Reds used seven pitchers and the Phillies nine. The Reds had 15 hits to Philadelphia's 13.

Some of the box score numbers were rough. Reds third baseman Scott Rolen was 0 for 7 and Phillies infielder Placido Polanco was 1 for 8.

Bruce homered in the 10th for the Reds, then Howard went deep and tied it in the bottom half. They ended up playing the longest game in the eight-season history of the ballpark.

By the time it was over, the Reds and Phillies still had a long way to go to match the latest-ending game in the big leagues this year. It was 2:45 a.m. at Fenway Park when the Los Angeles Angels beat Boston in the 13th inning of a rain-delayed game earlier this month.

The Phillies still had a couple innings left to match the longest game in team history: a 2-1 loss to Chicago in 21 innings on July 17, 1918. The Reds lost to San Francisco 1-0 in 21 innings on Sept. 1, 1967, in the longest game in their history.

Phillies reliever Danys Baez threw 73 pitches and tossed one-hit ball over five scoreless innings. He led off the 16th using a bat that hardly looked game used, drawing chuckles from Phillies star Shane Victorino and Manuel in the dugout.

Baez was confused. He grabbed the wrong helmet and forgot to stick pine tar on the bat.

"My arm feels good now," Baez said. "I don't know about tomorrow."

Today is tomorrow.

"Well, in six hours."

The Phillies squandered a chance to win it in the 18th when Valdez was stranded on second after a two-out double. Fisher retired Michael Martinez on a liner to left.

Bruce hit a shot off Antonio Bastardo over the scoreboard into the front row of the right-field seats for his 13th homer of the year to put the Reds ahead in the 10th.

Bruce hit a tiebreaking, three-run double in the ninth to lead the Reds to a 6-3 win on Tuesday. He hit a three-run homer against the Phillies on Monday to give him nine RBIs in the series.

It was no consolation.

"It's definitely the strangest game I've ever been a part of," Bruce said. "All that effort and time and you lose. It's tough."

Howard tagged Francisco Cordero for his 11th homer to make it 4-all.

"One of the biggest downers in baseball is the late-inning blown save," Reds manager Dusty Baker said before the game.

And this one?

"A real tough one to lose," Baker said.

Game notesThe Phillies should decide Thursday if RHP Jose Contreras is ready to come off the disabled list. Contreras has five saves and hasn't allowed a run this season. ... Phillies RHP Joe Blanton visited renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his injured elbow. Blanton will start a throwing program in three to four weeks.

Mets in talks to sell minority share

The cash-strapped owners of the New York Mets have agreed to sell a minority share of the team to hedge fund manager David Einhorn for $200 million.
The move, announced Thursday, would allow owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz to retain control of the team. The influx of money would help pay debts and cover operating expenses.
A definitive agreement is expected by late June, according to the team.
The sale will be for less than 49 percent of the team and will not include a stake in SNY, the television network owned by the Mets, sources close to the deal tell ESPN's Karl Ravech.
Fred Wilpon told Sports Illustrated this week the team is "bleeding cash" and could lose up to $70 million this year. He also told the magazine the club might slash payroll next year. The Mets received a loan from Major League Baseball in November to help cover expenses.
In addition, Wilpon, who became ensnared in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, is facing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by a court trustee seeking to recover money for Madoff's other victims.
Enter Einhorn, the 42-year-old president of private investment firm Greenlight Capital, Inc., who spent the first seven years of his childhood in New Jersey and as a young boy once dressed in a homemade Mets jersey for Halloween.

"It's been a very smooth process for the last several months," Einhorn said of the state of negotiations during a news conference Thursday. "We're very far along as understanding the business operations and prospects."
Asked if he anticipated buying a larger stake in the team down the road, Einhorn said: "What I'm interested right now is the opportunity in front of me right now. We don't even have a completed transaction yet."
Once that transaction is completed, Einhorn said, he plans to retain his share of the Mets for years to come.
"I have no real plans to sell this investment. I expect to hold it for a long, long time," he said. "The financial rewards, they'll take care of themselves over time."
The Mets said Einhorn will be a "preferred partner" and have a "nonoperating investment" in the team. The club said the deal is subject to the "negotiation of a mutually acceptable definitive agreement. Major League Baseball must give its approval.
"(Einhorn's) investment immediately improves the franchise's financial position," Wilpon said in a statement released by the Mets. "Equally important, David's intelligence, integrity and success in both business and civic affairs provides us with another perspective in evaluating what is best for this organization and our fans, and we welcome his input."

Recently, Forbes magazine estimated the value of the Mets had dropped 13 percent in one year to $747 million -- and that was before the team's projected losses this season.
A Cornell graduate, Einhorn is the author of "Fooling Some Of The People All Of The Time," a book about his battle with private investing firm Allied Capital. He serves on the boards of Hillel, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and the Robin Hood Foundation. He finished 18th at the World Series of Poker in 2006 and donated his winnings of $659,730 to the Fox foundation.
Einhorn made financial news Wednesday when he told an investment conference audience that Microsoft Corp.'s board of directors should replace CEO Steve Ballmer. According to SEC filings, Greenlight owns nearly 9.1 million shares of the software giant.
But when it comes to the Mets, Einhorn said he would let the Wilpons handle the team's day-to-day management.
"The Wilpons remain in control of the team," he said. "I'm just looking forward to the overall experience this investment will lead to."

By: http://www.espn.go.com/

Buster Posey has broken bone

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has a broken bone in his left ankle, a source close to the situation told CSNBayArea.com on Thursday.
Posey was injured in a 12th-inning collision at home plate with the Marlins' Scott Cousins, who was scored the winning run on the play in Florida's 7-6 win.
"It's way serious," the source told CSNBayArea.com, adding that S-rays taken after the play revealed the fracture, according to the report.
An MRI was scheduled for Thursday, at which time the Giants said they would discuss the results.
Cousins tagged from third base on a sacrifice fly, beating the throw from Nate Schierholtz and lowering his shoulder to slam into Posey for a brutal, but clean, hit on the reigning NL Rookie of the Year.
Posey lay dazed, writhing in pain and curling up in a ball for several minutes as the ballpark fell silent. After several minutes, with fans chanting "Posey! Posey!" he was helped off the field by two team trainers holding his left leg and looking stunned.

By: http://www.espn.go.com/

Yanks shut down Rafael Soriano

NEW YORK -- So much for New York Yankees right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano getting back on a mound later this week.

Soriano had his throwing session on flat ground cut short on Monday afternoon, and underwent a dye MRI on Tuesday, manager Joe Girardi said before Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.
Results of the MRI, at this point, are unknown, but Girardi said the team should have them by the end of Tuesday night.

"I'm more concerned now," Girardi said. "I thought we'd have him getting ready to go on a rehab assignment soon. But that doesn't seem to be the case now."

Girardi had said that Soriano was "progressing" on Sunday, and the 31-year-old was slated to get back on a mound sometime after the Yankees completed their six-game homestand, which will conclude on Wednesday afternoon.

But Girardi said Soriano complained of "soreness" in his right elbow on Monday, and has been shut down for an indefinite period of time.

Soriano was placed on the disabled list on May 17 (retroactive to May 14) with right elbow inflammation.

General manager Brian Cashman was adamant that he wanted no part of Soriano in the offseason, but he was overruled by Yankees officials, who inked Soriano to a three-year, $35 million free agent contract.

So far, the move has clearly not worked out. Soriano has struggled to adapt in his new environment -- both on and off the mound.

He has already given up nine earned runs -- or three fewer than he surrendered all of last season, when he had 45 saves as the closer of the Tampa Bay Rays.

In 15 innings out of the Yankees bullpen, Soriano has a 1-1 record and a 5.40 earned run average.

Soriano recently caused a stir in Tampa when he told reporters that the Yankees' woes had to do with the offense, and he could not be utilized in his regular role with the team continually trailing.

Soriano has had significant arm issues in the past. He dealt with a serious elbow injury in 2008, and also underwent an MRI on May 17, the same day he was placed on the DL.

Girardi said the first MRI came back "clean," but he doesn't sound as optimistic this time around, meaning Soriano could be out much longer than initially thought.

Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

Bryan Stow family suing Dodgers

The family of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow, who was brutally beaten in the parking lot at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day, filed a civil suit against the Dodgers in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday morning.
The suit seeks unspecified damages to cover Stow's future medical care and as compensation for the economic damages to Stow and his two children.
"It's fairly simple," said Thomas Girardi, the attorney representing the family. "The Dodgers have shown a total disregard for public safety. They've gotten rid of security people. They've had all these incidents at their games, more than other teams. There's also a known gang presence. What did they think was going to happen?"
Girardi said that the family insisted on repaying much of the money that has been raised for the Bryan Stow Fund since the attack, except for a scholarship for Stow's children that was donated by Giants slugger Barry Bonds because it "means so much to them."
The Dodgers declined comment because it is a pending legal matter.
In the wake of the attack, the Dodgers agreed to pay for increased security presence supervised by Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and hired former L.A. police chief Bill Bratton to work on long-term measures to improve stadium security.
The team also paid for the Stow families' hotel bill at the Downtown Los Angeles Marriott while Stow was hospitalized at County USC Medical Center for almost seven weeks and pledged nearly half of the $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Stow's attackers.
Girardi said that the crux of his argument will be that there were steps the Dodgers could have taken to better protect public safety, but willfully chose to put their resources in other areas.
"They've added all these off-duty police officers now. Would this have happened if they were there before?" Girardi said. "The Dodgers have, at least in our view, inappropriately spent their money. They pay the highest rent of any other team in baseball, and of course we know they pay that rent to the McCourts.
"This incident wouldn't have happened if just proper care had been taken with regard to security, and now the results are hideous."
Girardi added that the suit does not stipulate an exact figure on damages because it is so difficult to quantify the economic impact on Stow's family and what his long-term medical needs will be.
"Although everybody is hopeful that this turns out well, facing the cold hard facts, we know that this is going to have a lifetime impact on Mr. Stow," Girardi said. "Not to mention his two children, who have been robbed of their relationship with him."

Ramona Shelburne is a columnist and reporter for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Dustin Pedroia lost feeling in leg

CLEVELAND -- Dustin Pedroia said he's not seriously injured after leaving the Boston Red Sox's 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians in the eighth inning on Monday night when he slipped on second base and briefly lost feeling in his left leg.

"It was kind of like a stinger, like in football," Pedroia said after being checked by an Indians team doctor. Pedroia twisted his left ankle on the base. It was the same foot on which Pedroia had surgery last season.

"I lost feeling, like I did in Anaheim last month," Pedroia said. "Then I got it back in about a minute. This time, it took five minutes. You can't wait around like that in a game, so I came out.

"I slipped on the base. It was wet."

Pedroia traced the brief numbness in his leg to the screw that was inserted into his foot during surgery last September.

"Just wait till the end of the year and take that thing out," he said, according to the Boston Herald. "I don't know where it's bumping, but it's happened twice. The first time it happened, I got the feeling back pretty quick and I was good to go. That's basically it."

Playing in a steady drizzle, Pedroia drew a walk and raced around second base on a single by Adrian Gonzalez that was trapped by right fielder Shin-Soo Choo with a dive. Choo, with one of the strongest throwing arms in the game, then threw to second as Pedroia put on the brakes and dove back to the bag, safely.

"It's just a nerve or something," Pedroia said. "It causes a sharp pain up my leg. I won't have more tests, but after the season we'll go in there and take it out."

Manager Terry Francona said he had planned to give Boston's second baseman a day off on Tuesday anyway.

"I could pinch hit if they want and be back in there the next day," Pedroia said.

Pedroia broke his left foot last June 25 and was limited to 75 games in 2010. After resting it, he played in two games in mid-August before being shut down for the rest of the season.

Chuck Murr is a contributor to ESPNBoston.com.

Robinson Cano's 2-run double helps Yankees beat Orioles in 15

The New York Yankees survived a very scary moment, a blown save by Mariano Rivera and staggered through 10 straight scoreless innings before pulling away to another victory over the Baltimore Orioles.


Robinson Cano doubled in two runs in the 15th inning, and the Yankees needed nearly 5 hours to forge a 4-1 win Wednesday night.

After allowing Cano's pivotal hit, Mike Gonzalez struck Chris Dickerson in the head with a fastball. Gonzalez was immediately ejected, and Dickerson remained motionless on the ground for several minutes.

After being helped to his feet, Dickerson -- who borrowed teammate Jorge Posada's batting helmet after his was cracked by the pitch -- walked to first base before leaving the game.

Dickerson was taken to a hospital for a CAT scan.

"He was lucid and he knew where he was. He had a lump on his head," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "You have to do everything precautionary now. We're just making sure he's OK. It's standard operating procedure."

Asked if he thought Gonzalez tried to hit Dickerson intentionally, Girardi said, "I don't get into that. It's just a scary part of the game when a guy gets hit there."

Gonzalez insisted that the pitch was not thrown intentionally inside.

"No way, shape or form was I trying to hit Dickerson or anything like that," he said. "In fact, I was trying to throw a fastball down and away. It got away from me and I'm sorry it hit him."

The right-hander was surprised about being ejected from the game, but said the moment was almost surreal.

"It was kind of shocking. I hit him and obviously I get thrown out, and I was more worried about how he was doing down there," Gonzalez said. "First of all, I didn't understand why (I was ejected) and second of all, Dickerson is down there on the ground and that's the last thing you want to see."

Alex Rodriguez had a season-high four hits for the Yankees, whose only run before the 15th was an unearned tally in the fourth. New York improved to 5-0 against Baltimore this season.

Mark Teixeira led off the 15th with a single off Jeremy Accardo (2-1). Rodriguez followed with a single, and Cano hit a liner to right-center that Adam Jones bobbled, allowing Cano to take third.

Gonzalez then hit Dickerson. With Baltimore out of relief pitchers, Jeremy Guthrie -- the scheduled starter for Thursday -- came in and gave up a sacrifice fly to Brett Gardner.

New York's Hector Noesi (1-0) worked four innings in his major league debut, allowing two hits and walking three.

It was the longest game of the season for both teams, and the longest for the Orioles at home since a 17-inning affair against Philadelphia in 2003. The game lasted 4 hours, 56 minutes.

Baltimore loaded the bases with one out in the 11th against Luis Ayala before Boone Logan struck out Luke Scott and retired Matt Wieters on a fly ball. Wieters was a major league-best 15-for-27 with runners in scoring position before the out.

Noesi worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the 12th, and the Yankees failed to score against Accardo in the 13th after getting runners at the corners with no outs.

"It was a great pitcher's duel," Girardi said. "Both teams had a couple of opportunities that got squandered in extra innings, but we got the huge hit from Cano."

New York starter Bartolo Colon pitched eight innings of three-hit ball and left with a 1-0 lead, but the usually reliable Rivera gave up a run in the ninth to force extra innings. It was his third blown save in 16 tries -- the second against Baltimore.

Singles by Jones and Nick Markakis put runners at the corners with one out in the ninth before Vladimir Guerrero hit a sacrifice fly.

"Any time a closer blows a save, you usually don't win that game," Girardi said.

Colon struck out seven and walked one. The right-hander, who turns 38 next week, retired 13 straight at one point and ended his performance by striking out the side.

Baltimore starter Zach Britton went seven innings, allowing an unearned run, six hits and three walks. He has gone 19 1/3 consecutive innings without yielding an earned run, lowering his ERA to 2.14.

In the New York fourth, Rodriguez got a leadoff single and moved to second on a groundout. Orioles second baseman Robert Andino then failed to catch a pickoff throw from Britton, apparently the result of trying to apply the tag before securing the ball. Rodriguez took third, and Nick Swisher followed with a sacrifice fly.

By: espn.go.com

Daisuke Matsuzaka likely out month-plus

The Red Sox expect Daisuke Matsuzaka to be out for a minimum of a month after he was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament and strained flexor, an injury that when severe enough often results in Tommy John tendon transfer surgery.

The Red Sox are hoping that Matsuzaka will be able to avoid the surgery, which would sideline him for the rest of the season, and that he will respond to rehabilitation, according to a club source. A statement from team medical director Thomas Gill said that Matsuzaka will be re-examined in two weeks.

But the Sox have not ruled out the procedure, because they have yet to determine the severity of the injury, according to a club source, who added that won't be known until further evaluation takes place.


Manager Terry Francona said Matsuzaka, who was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, will not throw at all in the interim and said that it is "probably ambitious that he will throw (in two weeks). That's just the first time he will be looked at. I don't think we should expect him to be ready to throw then."

The ulnar collateral ligament is one of the tissues that connects the humerus bone in the upper arm to the two bones of the forearm. It acts as a stabilizer in the elbow, allowing it to withstand the stresses created by throwing a baseball. When the UCL weakens and stretches, that is technically called a sprain, and prevents a pitcher from throwing with full velocity and typical control. A more complete tear requires the building of a new ligament, which Tommy John surgery accomplishes by transferring a tendon, often from the forearm.

"Normally, the time down -- two weeks down, three weeks down, four weeks down -- that's normally about what it takes to get back to the mound,'' Francona said. "So, you can kind of do the math: If a guy is down three or four weeks, and it takes three or four weeks to get back on the mound, they're not going to be back on a big league mound real quick."

Matsuzaka, meeting with reporters Wednesday afternoon, said he first experienced discomfort on April 29 in a start against the Seattle Mariners, a game in which he was pulled in the fifth inning because of what Francona called a stiff elbow after the game.

"But that was not a big enough deal to stop pitching," Matsuzaka said through translator Kenta Yamada.

Matsuzaka's turn was skipped after he came out of the bullpen on May 4 and pitched an inning of relief, taking the loss in a 13-inning, 5-3 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels. Four days later, he went six innings and was credited with the win in a 9-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins, but on Monday night he was dreadful, walking seven and giving up five hits in just 4 1/3 innings against the Orioles.

Matsuzaka acknowledged his velocity was down, and he was in pain. Data from Monday night's start show that his fastball averaged just under 88 mph, and he topped out at 89, according to BrooksBaseball.net. That's down 3-4 mph from what he has typically pitched.

"I couldn't throw as fast as before, but within this condition I tried to modify it,'' Matsuzaka said, according to Yamada's translation. "I was fortunate enough to win against Minnesota, but if I continue this pitching then I wouldn't help the team.

"In general, I could hold the pain and still throw before. But at this point, it's difficult to hold it with this kind of pain. So, I usually have a high tolerance, but this time it's hard for me to keep throwing."

Matsuzaka said he did not know at this stage whether he would pursue a second opinion.

"When I heard the result of the MRI, the condition was worse than I expected," he said. "About the time frame, I have about two weeks off, and I will see how the recovery process goes."

Asked if he was concerned that he might need surgery, he said no.

Right-hander Michael Bowden was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.

In each of the past two seasons, Matsuzaka had landed on the DL twice. Last year, he made only 25 starts because of neck strain and a strained right forearm.

In 2009, he made just 12 starts and pitched only 59 1/3 innings. He was sidelined with a strained shoulder early in the season and again with the same injury that June.

In 2008, Matsuzaka set a career-high with 18 wins despite missing some time with a strained rotator cuff.

Matsuzaka, for whom Boston paid $103 million ($51 million posting fee, plus $52 million contract) to acquire from Japan before the 2007 season, is in the fifth year of a six-year contract.

by: espn.go.com

Mets to put David Wright on DL

The New York Mets will place third baseman David Wright on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his lower back before Wednesday night's game, the team announced Tuesday.

First baseman Nick Evans has been promoted from Triple-A Buffalo to take Wright's place on the 25-man roster.

"I was shocked by it," manager Terry Collins said Monday about the diagnosis. "... He is without a question the face of this team. His presence in this lineup is something we need. We're going to ask other guys to pick it up as of today. But I was shocked and unhappy."

Wright had an MRI on his ailing back on Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

He also underwent a CT scan on Monday night, as the team sought a second opinion, which confirmed the results of the MRI.

Surgery will not be required.

Wright will have no baseball baseball activity for 10 days, and then be re-evaluated at the Hospital for Special Surgery before beginning baseball activity.

Wright suffered the injury on April 19 against the Houston Astros, when he tried to make a diving tag on left fielder Carlos Lee at third base.

"I knew I did it on the Carlos Lee play at third base," Wright said Monday. "We were playing Houston at home. I don't know what the date was. About the first week, I felt stiff and sore, but I felt that would go away the next couple of weeks. I was on some medication and some anti-inflammatories that really wasn't doing much. That explains it now, because it's not a muscular thing.

"It's what could be a stress fracture. ... It's probably me somewhat being stubborn and not getting it checked out earlier. I don't think it really limited me too much or prohibited me from doing anything. It was just a little uncomfortable."

He last played on May 15 in Houston and went 0-for-3 with a walk.

This is the second time that Wright has been placed on the DL in his career (2009).

The 28-year-old is hitting just .226 with six homers and 18 RBIs, but wouldn't use the injury as an excuse for his recent struggles.

Since April 19 -- a span of 23 games -- Wright is hitting .205 (17-for-83) with seven extra-base hits.

"By no means is this thing a cop-out or an excuse for what I've done so far," Wright said. "I've played through it and when I take the field, I expect to play at a certain level, and thus far I haven't been able to play at that level.

"This two weeks, I'm going to get better. I'm going to get back in the lineup and I'm going to start playing at the level I expect."

The 25-year-old Evans compiled a .248 batting average with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 36 games for the Bisons.

He hit .306 (11-for-36) with one home run and five RBIs in 20 games with the Mets last season.

Jorge Posada returns to lineup

Jorge Posada was back in the New York Yankees' lineup, batting seventh, as the designated hitter for Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays following a tumultuous weekend during which Posada removed himself from a game against the Boston Red Sox because he was upset by being dropped to ninth in the batting order.
But manager Joe Girardi hinted that if Posada doesn't begin to rally from the worst start of his career -- he is hitting .165 with six home runs and 15 RBIs -- there could be other changes coming.

"I'm going to see how we are day to day,'' Girardi said. "As you know, we're in a long stretch and there's some guys that I need to DH from time to time. So we'll just go day to day.''

Girardi's options at DH have been limited by the broken foot suffered by Eric Chavez on May 1 in Detroit, but he got another option Tuesday afternoon as the Yankees added left-handed hitting outfielder Chris Dickerson, recalled from Double-A Scranton to replace Rafael Soriano, who went on the DL. The right-handed hitting Andruw Jones is also an option at DH, especially since Posada, a switch-hitter, has yet to get a hit this season in 24 at-bats from the right side.

Dickerson was in the lineup as the right fielder, replacing Nick Swisher, who has flu-like symptoms.

But with right-hander James Shields starting for the Rays, against whom Posada has good numbers -- 8-for-27 (.296) with a home run and three doubles -- Girardi inserted him back into the lineup.

Posada did not speak to reporters before the game but Girardi described him as "eager'' to get back to action after a three-game absence.

"Jorge, he always wants to play,'' Girardi said. "When you go back and look at years of how many games he caught, Jorgie loves to play this game and I'm sure he's eager to do some damage today.''

Meanwhile, with Soriano shelved, Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson will both get opportunities to pitch in the eighth.

New York second baseman Robinson Cano was also in the lineup, one day after fouling a ball just above his left knee during the fourth inning. He stayed in Monday's game, but afterward said his leg was sore and stiff.

"Good," said Cano of his leg. "Beautiful today."

Harmon Killebrew dies at 74

Harmon Killebrew, the affable, big-swinging Hall of Famer whose tape-measure home runs made him the cornerstone of the Minnesota Twins and perhaps the most popular player in the team's 51-year history, died Tuesday after battling esophageal cancer. He was 74.
The Twins said Killebrew passed away peacefully at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his wife, Nita, and their family at his side. He announced his diagnosis just six months ago, and last week Killebrew said he was settling in for the final days of his life after doctors deemed the "awful disease" incurable.

Killebrew is 11th on baseball's all-time home run list after an exceptional 22-year career. His eight seasons with 40 or more homers still is tied for second in league history to Babe Ruth. He was an All-Star at three positions: First base, third base and in the outfield.

"No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins territory than Harmon Killebrew," Twins president Dave St. Peter said. He said Killebrew's legacy "will be the class, dignity and humility he demonstrated each and every day as a Hall of Fame-quality husband, father, friend, teammate and man."

At Target Field, where the video board showed a picture of Killebrew, members of the Twins' ground crew slowly lifted home plate and slipped under it a plastic-encased, black-and-white photo of Killebrew winding up for a swing. The picture, believed to be from the 1960s, will stay beneath the plate the rest of the season.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer said he felt like he had lost a family member.

"He has treated me like one of his own," Mauer said. "It's hard to put into words what Harmon has meant to me. He first welcomed me into the Twins family as an 18-year-old kid and has continued to influence my life in many ways. He is someone I will never forget and will always treasure the time we spent together."

Former Twins pitcher Jack Morris, who grew up in Minnesota watching Killebrew play, was choked up and teary-eyed at a news conference to talk about the slugger's death.

"I lost a hero today," Morris said.

Former teammate Tony Oliva said Tuesday the Twins flew him out to Arizona on Saturday so he could spend time with Killebrew.

"It's very hard, we knew each other about 50 years," Oliva told ESPN on Tuesday after learning of Killebrew's death. "I saw him Saturday and he looked very good, even though he was very sick. He was smiling and making jokes."

Former pitcher Tommy John told ESPN that Killebrew was "one of the nicest, most compassionate guys I ever met in baseball." He said Killebrew hit five home runs against him, "and the most he had off anybody was six."

"He never showed you up, no flaps down or anything, just that little number 3 -- like Babe Ruth -- trotting like he hit 'em before and he would hit 'em again."

The Minnesota House observed a moment of silence at the state capitol. Rep. Bob Barrett of Shafer recalled how his father once did contracting work at Killebrew's home and "couldn't remember having met a nicer man."

Said Barrett: "He was a great player, but he was an even greater man."

Bob Wolf was walking near Target Field as he reflected on the death of a fan favorite he had followed since the Twins arrived in Minnesota in 1961.

"It's going to be a loss for the Twins and the state of Minnesota. He was a great person and a great ambassador for baseball," Wolf said.

What set him apart?

"Just the power," Wolf said, shaking his head. "He went up there to put 'em out."

That he did.

Killebrew broke in with the Washington Senators in 1954 as an 18-year-old. He spent most of his first five seasons in the minors, then hit 42 homers in his first full season in 1959. The Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961, and Killebrew hit 190 homers in his first four seasons there, including 49 in 1964.

The 11-time All-Star was the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1969 after hitting 49 home runs with 140 RBIs and 145 walks, all team records that stand to this day.

"I found out early in life that I could hit a baseball farther than most players and that's what I tried to do," Killebrew said.

Behind their soft-spoken slugger nicknamed "The Killer," the Twins reached the World Series for the first time in 1965 and back-to-back AL Championship Series in 1969 and 1970.

Former Twins owner Calvin Griffith used to call Killebrew the backbone of the franchise. "He kept us in business," Griffith said.

Killebrew was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1984, the first Twin to be enshrined. Killebrew's No. 3 jersey was retired in 1975. Killebrew's easygoing demeanor contrasted starkly with his nickname and standing as one of baseball's most feared hitters.

"I didn't have evil intentions," Killebrew said on his website. "But I guess I did have power."

Harmon Clayton Killebrew was born June 29, 1936, in the Idaho farm town of Payette. He was an all-state quarterback in high school, but it was his power with a baseball bat in his hands that got Killebrew noticed by Washington Senators scout Ossie Bluege.

On Killebrew's website, Bluege recounted how he signed the 17-year-old to a $30,000 contract in 1953.

"I waited for the rain to stop in Payette, Idaho, and then he hit one a mile over the left field fence," Bluege said. "I stepped it off the next morning and measured it at 435 feet. That convinced me."

Killebrew didn't just hit balls over the fence, he turned at-bats into longest-drive contests. He never worried much about his short game, preferring instead to swing for the fences, and wound up with a career .256 average.

"I didn't think much about batting average when I was playing," Killebrew said.

On June 3, 1967, Killebrew belted the longest home run in Met Stadium history, a shot that reached the second deck of the bleachers in the old park, some 500 feet from home plate.

"He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy," Bluege once said. "And I don't mean the infielders. I mean the outfielders."

Killebrew finished his career with one season in Kansas City in 1975.

Commissioner Bud Selig said he was saddened by the death of a "true gentleman."

"Harmon was as tough and feared a competitor on the field as the game has ever seen, while off the field he touched everyone he encountered with his sensitive and humble nature," Selig said. "He led his life with modesty and dignity and I will miss him forever."

Killebrew and Nita had nine children. In retirement, he became a successful businessman in insurance, financial planning and car sales. He also traveled the country with baseball memorabilia shows and returned to the Twin Cities regularly, delighting in conversations with fans and reunions with teammates.

With strong competition from Kirby Puckett in the generation that followed him, Killebrew will go down as perhaps the most popular Twins player in history, possibly in all of Minnesota sports. Killebrew Root Beer is sold at Target Field, and there's a Killebrew Drive next to the mall where Metropolitan Stadium once stood in suburban Bloomington.

"Harmon Killebrew was a gem. I can never thank him enough for all I learned from him," said former teammate Rod Carew. "He was a consummate professional who treated everyone from the brashest of rookies to the groundskeepers to the ushers in the stadium with the utmost of respect. I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for Harmon Killebrew. He was a Hall of Famer in every sense of the word."

Mariners designate Milton Bradley

SEATTLE -- Slumping Milton Bradley was cut by the Seattle Mariners on Monday, leaving the temperamental outfielder again looking for a new job.

The Mariners designated Bradley for assignment, giving them 10 days to trade, release or send him to the minors. He was making $13 million this season.

"The situation with Milton is that we determined he's not part of our future and not part of our present," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said.

The 33-year-old Bradley hit .218 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 28 games. He was suspended for one game last week for bumping an umpire, ejected Friday for arguing a called third strike and booed by home fans over the weekend for the perception he was dogging it on defense.

"It was not a particular incident," Zduriencik said. "It's just an issue with our evaluations of where we are and where we are going, and our estimates were that he did not fit. That's why the decision was made."

Asked if Bradley had a negative impact on the clubhouse, Zduriencik said: "That's hard to say. I don't know that. I think it gets down more to what we're trying to accomplish and where we're headed."

Bradley is a career .271 hitter with 125 home runs since starting with Montreal in 2000. He has played for eight teams in the majors, including five clubs in the last five seasons.

The Mariners also cut utilityman Ryan Langerhans. He hit .171 with three home runs and six RBIs in 19 games.

Seattle called up outfielders Carlos Peguero and Mike Wilson from Triple-A Tacoma. Peguero played five games for the Mariners last month and Wilson will be making his big league debut.

Bradley got two hits Sunday in the Mariners' 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox. The defeat left Seattle at 16-19.

Bradley came to Seattle on Dec. 18, 2009, from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Carlos Silva. Bradley publicly blamed Chicago's fans and media for running him out of town.

The former All-Star hit .205 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 73 games for the Mariners last year. He was sidelined for the season on Aug. 17 because of knee surgery.

read more: http://sports.espn.go.com

Carl Crawford walk-off double lifts Red Sox by Twins in 11

BOSTON -- Carl Crawford knew he hit it well enough to reach the Green Monster, and he had one thought when rounded first base.


"I saw him and I was yelling, `Go, go," Crawford said after his double off the left-field wall scored pinch-runner Jose Iglesias on close play at the plate in the 11th inning, lifting the Red Sox to a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.

Crawford, who was hitting just .135 a little over a week ago, had a game-ending single May 1 when the Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners. Now, he's starting to enjoy his time with the Red Sox a lot more.

"It's always nice to get walkoffs," he said, breaking into a brief smile. "I'll take `em all the time."

The double was Crawford's only hit of the night, but extended his hitting streak to nine games after his dreadful start. He's now hitting .211.

"He's still settling in," Boston catcher Jason Varitek said.

Jonathan Paplebon, who blew his first save opportunity of the season, was more than happy to talk about Crawford's recent success.

"I think we're seeing a guy that goes out there, that's a great athlete and is doing what he can to pick up the ballclub," he said.

Boston beat Minnesota in the final three games of a four-game series, and won for the 11th time in 12 games in Fenway Park.

"He probably didn't get out as far as he could have, but he was probably running about as fast as he'll ever run," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Iglesias, who was called up Sunday when Marco Scutaro was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique.

The Red Sox closed out their longest homestand of the season at 6-5.

Hideki Okajima (1-0) pitched two innings, getting out of a two-on, one-out jams in each, for the win.

"He had been rested for a few days, which is good, because we'd leaned on Matt Albers and Daniel Bard a little bit and wanted to stay away from them," Francona said of using Okajima two innings. "He did a good job."

Jed Lowrie drew a one-out walk against Jim Hoey (0-1) and Iglesias pinch ran. Crawford lofted one off The Wall and Iglesias slid in just ahead of the throw from short left by shortstop Matt Tolbert, knocking catcher Rene Rivera over as he scored.

"We just haven't been scoring runs and it continued tonight," Gardenhire said, who was ejected in the ninth inning by home plate umpire Joe West.

"He didnt want me to come on his dirt," he said.

Gardenhire came out after Danny Valencia's attempted check swing was called a strike by West. Valencia appeared to want him to appeal to first.

The Twins, last in the majors in scoring, have put up three or fewer runs in 10 of their last 12 games, and 22 times this season.

Minnesota put runners on first and second with one out in the 10th against Okajima, but Tolbert struck out and Alexi Cassila bounced into a fielder's choice. They did it again in the 11th, but Ben Revere grounded into a fielder's choice and Rivera struck out.

Jacoby Ellsbury singled in the third inning, extending his hitting streak to 18 games for the Red Sox. It's his longest since a career-best 22-gamer in May 2009.

Boston wasted a chance in the bottom of the inning. Dustin Pedroia had a one-out double against Jose Mijares and advanced on Adrian Gonzalez's grounder to second. After Kevin Youkilis was walked intentionally, David Ortiz grounded out into the shift in short right.

The Red Sox broke up the scoreless game in the fifth. Varitek had a leadoff double and advanced to third on Ellsbury's ground out to second. After Pedroia bounced to short with the infield in, pitching coach Rick Anderson visited starter Nick Blackburn before Gonzalez lined the first pitch to left, making it 1-0.

read more: http://sports.espn.go.com

National League schedule

East
Atlanta Braves
Record: 17-15

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Milwaukee 8-0

Next game, 5/5/2011 7:10 PM Milwaukee Brewers



Florida Marlins
Record: 19-10

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated St. Louis 8-7

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:10 PM Washington Nationals



Washington Nationals
Record: 14-16

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Philadelphia 7-4

Next game, 5/5/2011 7:05 PM at Philadelphia Phillies



New York Mets
Record: 13-18

Last game, 5/5/2011: Defeated San Francisco 5-2

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:10 PM Los Angeles Dodgers



Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 20-9

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Washington 7-4

Next game, 5/5/2011 7:05 PM Washington Nationals



Central
Chicago Cubs
Record: 14-16

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Los Angeles 5-1

Next game, 5/6/2011 2:20 PM Cincinnati Reds



Cincinnati Reds
Record: 16-15

Last game, 5/5/2011: Defeated Houston 10-4

Next game, 5/6/2011 2:20 PM at Chicago Cubs




Houston Astros
Record: 12-19

Last game, 5/5/2011: Lost to Cincinnati 10-4

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:05 PM at Pittsburgh Pirates




Milwaukee Brewers
Record: 13-17

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Atlanta 8-0

Next game, 5/5/2011 7:10 PM at Atlanta Braves




Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 15-16

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated San Diego 7-4

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:05 PM Houston Astros




St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 17-14

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Florida 8-7

Next game, 5/6/2011 8:15 PM Milwaukee Brewers




West
Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 13-16

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Colorado 6-4

Next game, 5/5/2011 9:40 PM Colorado Rockies




Colorado Rockies
Record: 18-10

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Arizona 6-4

Next game, 5/5/2011 9:40 PM at Arizona Diamondbacks




Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 15-17

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Chicago 5-1

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:10 PM at New York Mets




San Diego Padres
Record: 12-19

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Pittsburgh 7-4

Next game, 5/6/2011 10:05 PM Arizona Diamondbacks




San Francisco Giants
Record: 15-16

Last game, 5/5/2011: Lost to New York 5-2

Next game, 5/6/2011 10:15 PM Colorado Rockies

american league schedule

East
Baltimore Orioles
Record: 14-15

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Kansas City 3-2

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:05 PM Tampa Bay Rays



Boston Red Sox
Record: 14-16

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Los Angeles 5-3

Next game, 5/6/2011 2:10 PM Minnesota Twins



New York Yankees
Record: 17-11

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Detroit 4-0

Next game, 5/6/2011 12:35 PM at Texas Rangers



Tampa Bay Rays
Record: 17-14

Last game, 5/5/2011: Defeated Toronto 3-1

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:05 PM at Baltimore Orioles



Toronto Blue Jays
Record: 14-17

Last game, 5/5/2011: Lost to Tampa Bay 3-1

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:07 PM Detroit Tigers



Central
Minnesota Twins
Record: 11-18

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Chicago 3-2

Next game, 5/6/2011 2:10 PM at Boston Red Sox



Chicago White Sox
Record: 11-21

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Minnesota 3-2

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:10 PM at Seattle Mariners



Cleveland Indians
Record: 20-9

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Oakland 3-1

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:10 PM at Los Angeles Angels



Detroit Tigers
Record: 14-17

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated New York 4-0

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:07 PM at Toronto Blue Jays



Kansas City Royals
Record: 16-14

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Baltimore 3-2

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:05 PM Oakland Athletics



West
Los Angeles Angels
Record: 17-14

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Boston 5-3

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:10 PM Cleveland Indians



Oakland Athletics
Record: 16-15

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Cleveland 3-1

Next game, 5/6/2011 7:05 PM at Kansas City Royals



Seattle Mariners
Record: 14-17

Last game, 5/4/2011: Lost to Texas 5-2

Next game, 5/5/2011 10:10 PM Texas Rangers



Texas Rangers
Record: 17-14

Last game, 5/4/2011: Defeated Seattle 5-2

Next game, 5/5/2011 10:10 PM at Seattle Mariners

As DH who can't hit, Jorge Posada may be punching ticket out of Bronx

The New York Yankees' Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada form the only trio of teammates ever to play 17 consecutive seasons with the same club in any of the major American team sports.

In an era of free agency and frequent player movement, it's hard to envision that record ever being broken.

At this point, it's also hard to envision an 18th season together for the remaining members of the Core Four, which already has lost the retired Andy Pettitte.

Jorge Posada, who is in the final season of his contract at 39, has had a brutal start to the season in his new role as a full-time DH. Posada has shown signs of life lately, with five hits in his last 15 at-bats to raise his average to .161, but still has a ways to go before even reaching the Mendoza Line.

Posada has said his struggles are not related to the adjustment to the DH role, but hitting coach Kevin Long has indicated the transition is still a work in progress. That's to be expected, especially for a former catcher, a player used to be involved in every pitch.

The problem is that, with Posada's catching skills having deteriorated to the point the Yankees don't even want to use him as a backup, his value lies strictly in his bat, which has been mostly cold. And his struggles as a DH are not limited to this season. Posada has a career .209 average in 115 games in that role.

Over the weekend, as Posada was in the midst of an 0-for-19 stretch, manager Joe Girardi said he would rotate different players in the DH slot when the Yankees go extended stretches without a day off.

The one positive Posada can point to is retaining his power, as his six homers and 14 RBI verify. However, that might not be enough to convince the Yankees – who had moved away from having strictly DH types in recent years – to bring him back, not unless Posada's hitting improves dramatically.

Remember, this is the club that drew a line in the sand with the beloved Bernie Williams back in 2007, and the five-time All-Star never wore the pinstripes again. The same might happen with Posada after this season.