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KANSAS CITY — He won’t take much credit for it, but outfielder Juan Pierre’s recent hot streak Mets Jose Reyes Jersey has been a reason the White Sox opened the second half winning three of four games.In Monday night’s 5-2 win over Nelson Cruz Jersey the Royals, Pierre led off Authentic Nelson Cruz Jersey the game with a triple and scored, and he drove in a run in a two-run sixth inning. His triple extended his hitting streak to 10 games, during which he’s hitting .409.So why the recent surge?”I don’t know. That’s for y’all to figure out,” Pierre said. “Just finding holes, man, and trying to help the team win. I’m just trying to keep it as simple as that.”In his past 18 games entering Tuesday’s contest against the Royals, Pierre went 29-for-75, raising his average from .248 to .276. In a series win in Detroit over the weekend, he went 6-for-15 with three runs and two RBIs. The highlight came on Saturday, when he went 4-for-5, with a run scored, an RBI and two steals.White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Pierre’s hot play is not only noticeable, but having an impact. “He’s fielding better, hitting better,” Guillen said. “I think everything, he’s gotten big hits for us Authentic Carlos Pena Jersey lately. Every time Juan gets hot, this team looks a lot different.”Pierre went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Royals.                                              Pitching helps White Sox reverse road woes                KANSAS CITY — After Jose Reyes Jersey a 6-11 mark in road games to start the season, the White Sox seem to have turned around their traveling woes.Following Tuesday’s game against the Royals, the White Sox are 9-4 in their last 13 road games and 20-14 in their last 34. For the season, Chicago is 26-25 on the road, compared to 21-25 at home.”I don’t know. I think Cubs Ryne Sandberg Jersey it’s just a pattern,” second baseman Gordon Beckham said. “We started off kind of slow. Once in a while that’s going to come back, you’re going to start playing better on the road.”Entering Tuesday’s tilt, the White Sox pitching staff owned a 2.44 ERA in the team’s previous 15 road games, giving up 39 earned runs in 143 2/3 innings pitched. The White Sox held the Tigers to just six runs over three games in their weekend series.The White Authentic Jose Reyes Jersey Sox have won their last four road series, with a chance to make it five straight in Wednesday’s finale at Kauffman Stadium.                                              Santiago sent back to Double-A                KANSAS CITY — The White Sox optioned left-handed pitcher Hector Santiago to Double-A Birmingham on Tuesday night following the 4-2 loss to the Royals.The 23-year-old appeared in two games this season, making his Major League debut on July 6 against the Royals, throwing one scoreless inning. Authentic Ryne Sandberg Jersey Santiago pitched a total of 5 1/3 innings, allowing no runs and one hit while striking out two.The White Sox will activate starting left-hander John Danks on Wednesday for the finale of the three-game series against the Royals.                                              Twin bill set for Twin Cities on Sept. 5                KANSAS CITY — The White Sox now have a date to play their game with the Twins that Rangers Nelson Cruz Jersey was postponed on June 14 because of inclement weather.The teams Cubs Carlos Pena Jersey will play a day-night doubleheader on Monday, Sept. 5 at Target Field. The originally scheduled game will begin at 1:10 p.m. CT, with the makeup game being played at 7:10 p.m.The White Sox are 1-7 against the Twins this season, Carlos Pena Jersey including 0-2 at Target Field.                                              Righty Kloess named Ryne Sandberg Jersey Southern League POW                KANSAS CITY — White Sox Minor League pitcher Brandon Kloess was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the period ending July 17.Kloess, a 26-year-old right-hander, threw five scoreless innings in relief for Double-A Birmingham, allowing just one hit.Kloess is 5-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 27 total relief appearances between Class A Advanced Winston-Salem, Triple-A Charlotte and Birmingham.

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays right-hander Wade Davis, who was placed on the disabled list on July 7 with a right forearm strain, turned in an encouraging bullpen session on Monday.Davis even tested out his slider, a pitch that was directly affected by the injury.”He threw everything, Cubs Alfonso Soriano Jersey and they said everything was really good,” manager Joe Michael Cuddyer Jersey Maddon said. “Everybody was glowing about this bullpen performance.”Maddon mentioned that “there’s a chance” Davis could return to the mound this weekend against Kansas City.The Rays signed Davis to a four-year, $12.6 million deal before the season. He is 7-6 with Johan Santana Jersey a 4.25 ERA Authentic Starlin Castro Jersey this year.                                              Howell optimistic despite bumpy road back                ST. PETERSBURG — J.P. Howell is almost two months into his comeback from left shoulder surgery and the results have been mixed, but the left-hander and the Rays are expecting him to return to top form.Howell missed the entire 2010 season due to the surgery, and he did not make his first appearance in a Major League game until May 20, when he pitched a scoreless inning of relief against the Marlins in Miami.In addition to the success Howell enjoyed in his first game back, he had pitched well throughout his rehab stint, which made Starlin Castro Jersey him think he could make a smooth transition back into the Rays’ bullpen.”I expected to be perfect,” Howell said.Alas, Howell has been anything but perfect, posting a 2-1 record with one save and a 7.47 ERA. “I’ve had a few tough breaks, but sometimes I have to step back and be really happy for my health,” Howell said. “I’m healthy now and throwing harder than I’ve ever thrown. All of the screws aren’t really tight. Everything’s loose everywhere, and that’s what’s creating the inconsistency.”Two inches here or there [is the difference]. And sometimes, it will feel perfect and be three feet off. There are times where you feel like you’re perfect. When I felt like that before, it would go wherever I wanted. Now, it can be way off. And it’s because my foot opened up, or something else. It can be the littlest thing, but over time, those kinds of things iron themselves out.”Howell said his biggest problem in the early phase of his return was giving in to hitters. He followed with an explanation about what that means.”If the count is 2-0, the easy thing to do is say, ‘I’m going to throw a fastball right down this half [of the plate],’” Howell said. “That’s not the goal. If I’m going to look stupid, I’m not going to look stupid giving in. I walked three the other night, but in that situation, I’m not giving in. And if it was three weeks prior, I’m throwing one for them to get.”Entering Tuesday, Howell had allowed 15 hits, 13 earned runs and 11 walks while striking out 14 in 15 2/3 innings, which has drawn the ire of some Rays fans, who have booed him and directed derogatory comments his way.”When I first heard that, it hurt my feelings,” Howell said. “But then you go, ‘You know what, my expectations of myself are higher than anyone’s in the building. So if I’m disappointing anyone, it’s me, no one else.’ I expect to do better than anyone. I put more pressure on myself than anyone else.”Pitching coach Jim Hickey doesn’t believe Howell is far from being back at the top of his game.”I think the thing that he most has to do to get back to where he was is to get to where we can use him the way that we did,” Hickey said. “Back-to-back days and even three days in a row, or three out of four, which we are a little bit reluctant to do right now. There have been a couple of back-to-back days, but you haven’t seen three out of four yet. I think stuff-wise, his stuff is good. He just has to sharpen up his command a little bit, and he will be back where he was.”Hickey summed up his remarks by noting that if Howell does the job he is supposed to do 85-90 percent of the time, he’ll be a “very successful relief pitcher.”"And he’s probably about one outing out of 10 away from that right now,” Hickey said.                                              Rays give De La Rosa long-awaited call                ST. PETERSBURG — Another day, another roster move for the Mets Johan Santana Jersey Rays.After optioning Alex Torres to Triple-A Durham following Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Twins Michael Cuddyer Jersey Yankees, Tampa Bay made a corresponding move on Tuesday, recalling right-handed pitcher Dane De La Rosa Authentic Alfonso Soriano Jersey from Durham in hopes of providing depth to a depleted bullpen.”He can provide length,” manager Cubs Starlin Castro Jersey Joe Maddon said of De La Rosa. “It’s kind of like Torres. He is a guy that they told us can provide length. We needed that.”De La Rosa’s story is an interesting one. The 28-year-old was cut by the Yankees and Brewers early in his career and played four seasons in the independent leagues before quitting baseball and taking a different path — selling real estate.But after tweaking his delivery, De La Rosa gave baseball another try, signing with the Rays. Now, he is in the Majors for the first time in his career.”I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” De La Rosa said. “I’ve had to go through a lot of trials and tribulations, but it was worth it. I worked my butt off for the last six years to get back to affiliate ball, and to now be in the big leagues is a pretty big deal.”The 6-foot-7 hurler posted a 4-3 record and a 3.86 ERA in 35 Alfonso Soriano Jersey appearances with Durham this season. He racked up 50 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings.De La Rosa made a short appearance for the Bulls on Monday, throwing 11 pitches in a scoreless inning, but he was available to pitch in Tuesday’s game.                                              Rays’ injured catchers making strides                ST. PETERSBURG — After Rays catcher John Jaso went down with a strained right oblique before the second half of the season began, Jose Lobaton was recalled from Triple-A Durham in his place.But on Sunday, in his first start behind the plate, Lobaton injured his left knee.The two catchers are seeing improvements in their recoveries, however.Jaso has been testing his oblique by stretching with the Rays, playing catch and running on the side. But he still doesn’t expect to be ready in time to travel with Tampa Bay when it embarks on a 10-game road trip following Thursday’s series finale against the Yankees.Jaso, who is eligible to come off the disabled list on July 25, does plan on joining Authentic Michael Cuddyer Jersey the Rays at some point during the trip after a possible rehab stint in the Minors.”We want [Jaso] to stay back and do some stuff that gets Authentic Johan Santana Jersey him closer,” manager Joe Maddon said. “As he gets closer, maybe he’ll come so [head athletic trainer] Ron [Porterfield] can finish him off.”Lobaton is in a similar situation. After he underwent MRI exams to rule out a possible tear in his left knee, it was determined that there was no structural damage. The diagnosis — a sprained left knee.There is still no timetable for Lobaton’s return. He is eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 2.”I’ve been feeling a little better,” Lobaton said. “I’ve been walking pretty good, but the pain is still there when I squat or do a couple of movements.”

SAN FRANCISCO — The concern felt Rangers Josh Hamilton Jersey by Giants management over the club’s flimsy offense prompted Tuesday’s acquisition of infielder Jeff Keppinger from the Houston Astros.Keppinger, a .284 lifetime hitter spanning seven Major League seasons, will become San Francisco’s primary second baseman, manager Bruce Bochy said. The right-handed-batting Keppinger, who’s expected to join the team Wednesday, was obtained for Minor League right-handers Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel.Though the Giants began Tuesday a season-high 15 games above .500 (56-41), which gave them a 3 1/2-game lead over second-place Arizona in the National League West, general manager Brian Sabean believed that the lineup needed an upgrade, even if just an “incremental” one, in his words.”Because,” Sabean said, “without being harsh, this group just isn’t Authentic Justin Morneau Jersey getting it done.”San Francisco entered Tuesday ranked 14th in Authentic Matt Garza Jersey the NL in scoring.Sabean will keep trying to bolster the offense and indicated that he hasn’t ruled out adding players Twins Justin Morneau Jersey who Authentic Josh Hamilton Jersey are potential free agents after this season, Ike Davis Jersey who formerly were on his forbidden list. But Sabean noted that the market for catchers and shortstops, positions where the Giants could use offensive improvement, is “almost nonexistent.” He added that the overall supply of offensive “difference makers” is scarce.Bringing aboard Keppinger, Sabean said, “kind of takes a little bit of the pressure off. But we’ll still be on the phone Authentic Ike Davis Jersey to expand or lengthen this lineup any way we can because we think we need the help.”The Giants also recalled first baseman-outfielder Brandon Belt, their top position-player prospect, from Triple-A Fresno. But Belt’s promotion resulted mainly from first baseman Aubrey Huff’s sore Mets Ike Davis Jersey lower back and did not reflect an offensive overhaul, combined with Keppinger’s impending arrival. Bochy explained that his desire to keep Pablo Sandoval at third base instead of moving Josh Hamilton Jersey him to first to replace Huff required Belt’s return.Such thinking on the fly influenced the Keppinger trade. Sabean said that he had discussed Keppinger with Houston general manager Ed Wade but balked at including a second player in the swap. Sabean said he then shifted his focus to a “bigger” deal. But when shortstop Miguel Tejada strained his lower abdomen in Monday’s third inning, Sabean knew the Giants needed another middle infielder and contacted the Astros about Keppinger.”We revisited it this morning and put in the second name,” Sabean said.The presence of second baseman Bill Hall and Freddy Sanchez on the disabled list also spurred the Giants to action. They’ve been aware that they can’t pin their hopes on the return of Sanchez, who’s mending a dislocated right shoulder.”You have to cover yourself,” Bochy said.So San Francisco obtained a player who’s similar to Sanchez. Keppinger, 31, hit .307 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 43 games for Houston after recovering from a foot injury that sidelined him until May Cubs Matt Garza Jersey 27. A quintessential contact hitter, Keppinger led the NL in at-bats-per-strikeout ratio in 2008 (19.1) and last year (14.3). He has played for the Mets, Royals and Reds besides the Astros.”They have different skill sets, but the type of baseball they play — they’re gritty, they’re grinding,” said right-hander Sergio Romo, comparing Keppinger to Sanchez. “His approach to the game kind Matt Garza Jersey of fits us. He plays like he has nothing to lose. He’s loose and confident. I think he’s just another personality to add to the diversity of what makes this team.”The Giants are believed to be responsible for the remainder of Keppinger’s $2.3 million salary.Sosa, formerly a highly rated prospect who has weathered injuries and inconsistency through eight seasons in the Giants organization, was 5-2 with a 2.68 ERA in eight appearances (six starts) for Double-A Richmond and 3-1, 10.41 in 17 outings at Fresno. Stoffel, a non-roster invitee to Spring Training this year, was 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA in 32 relief Justin Morneau Jersey appearances at Richmond.

ARLINGTON — The Rangers on Tuesday announced plans to raise the height of railings on the first row of every level of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in response to the tragic death of a Rangers fan on July 7. “The safety of our fans is our top priority,” said Rangers CEO and president Nolan Ryan, in a statement released by the club.  “The initiatives we are announcing today for Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will help to ensure that we meet that priority.” The club announced that it will be raising all Cubs Kosuke Fukudome Jersey front-row railings to 42 inches. Shannon Stone, a 39-year-old firefighter from Brownwood, Texas, died from injuries sustained on July 7 when he fell approximately 20 feet from the left-field lower Authentic Lan Kinsler Jersey reserved seats to the area behind the out-of-town scoreboard. In the meantime, Twins Joe Mauer Jersey the team has placed more signs in front of seating areas to alert fans of the inherent dangers of reaching over the railings. The club also announced that there would be a safety video shown on the scoreboard before every game, and that stadium security will enforce the signs recently installed that read, “Do not lean, sit on or stand against rail.” Currently, the rails measure 30 inches high on the club level. The left-field-area rails measure 34 inches, and the upper home run Kosuke Fukudome Jersey porch in right field is already at 42 inches. While Authentic Kosuke Fukudome Jersey Rob Matwick, the team’s executive vice president of ballpark and event operations, stressed that the railings that are currently Joe Mauer Jersey at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington are above and beyond Lan Kinsler Jersey the building code requirements, the Rangers felt they would like to have more. Matwick said 42 inches Mets David Wright Jersey would be the highest standard anywhere in the United States. The organization is still working on the logistics of such a move, namely what the best way Authentic Joe Mauer Jersey to install the higher railing is. “That’s part of the process right now,” Matwick said. “We’re in the process of designing, engineering and getting studies on that. As quickly as the architects can get that work. We also have to do an engineering study, and we’re currently in the process of field measuring the sections just to verify Authentic David Wright Jersey exactly what we have.” While Matwick said he expects the planning and studies on the optimal way to introduce the railing to take “a few weeks,” he does not know when those new railings will be conceptually finished so that construction could begin. “Ideally, if we could start work during the season, we’d like to start work during the season,” Matwick said. “Obviously, that would have David Wright Jersey to be done while the club is on the road. I don’t think there is anything we could do while the team is home. We can see where we are in the schedule when we decide to move forward, and wait for road trips or until the end of the season. Our goal would be to start during the season if we absolutely can.” Rangers Lan Kinsler Jersey The team has just one stretch left in the season when Texas spends more than one week away from home, from Aug. 11-21. That spell would seem to be the best conceivable time builders would have enough consecutive days to install all the railings. It is unknown at this point whether the rail will be connected to the current railings, or if all-new railings would be required. “That’s part of the study,” Matwick said. “Part of it is being a 17-year-old building. We need to check that the ways the rails are currently anchored can support additional structure on top.”

MINNEAPOLIS — Indians outfielder Travis Buck exited Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Twins in the fifth inning after a frightening encounter with a fastball.With no outs and Denard Span Jersey a runner on first base, Minnesota left-hander Francisco Liriano unleashed a 92-mph heater that tailed high Authentic Michael Young Jersey and inside, striking Buck hard on Carlos Beltran Jersey the helmet. Buck immediately dropped to his knees, and was clearly shaken up.After a brief meeting at home plate, Buck walked off the field with one of Cleveland’s trainers. Utility man Luis Valbuena entered the game as a pinch-runner for Buck, who was in the lineup as the ninth hitter and left fielder.Buck was later diagnosed with a head contusion.”There’s no signs of concussion,” Indians manager Manny Acta said.Acta was not sure if Buck would be available for Wednesday’s series finale in Minnesota.”We don’t know yet,” Acta said. “We’re Authentic Carlos Beltran Jersey going to have to wait and see.”On the season, including Tuesday, Buck is hitting Michael Young Jersey .243 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 44 games for the Indians. He has been serving as the Tribe’s primary right fielder with Shin-Soo Choo on the 15-day disabled Carlos Zambrano Jersey list with a broken left thumb.Buck started in left on Tuesday in place of Michael Brantley, Twins Denard Span Jersey who was a Rangers Michael Young Jersey late scratch from the lineup due to an upset stomach. Cleveland is also Cubs Carlos Zambrano Jersey currently without center fielder Grady Sizemore (right knee injury).Acta added that Brantley was not an option off the bench.”He’s very sick,” Acta said. “He couldn’t hold any food last night or this morning, Mets Carlos Beltran Jersey for that matter. He didn’t look very good at all from the moment he showed up here. They gave him Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey treatment the whole afternoon.”We waited up until right before the ballgame, and still he was not in any type Authentic Denard Span Jersey of condition to play. He was seen by the doctors, and we just kept him inside the whole time.”

PHOENIX — Before Monday night’s opener with the Brewers, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson was asked what he wanted from starting pitcher Josh Collmenter.”I’d like to see a complete game,” he said. “But we know that might not happen.”Collmenter tried his hardest to prove his manager’s Cubs Carlos Zambrano Jersey words true, pitching eight dominant innings in a 3-0 victory in the midst of a dust storm and in front of 17,404 at Chase Field.”He threw an exceptional game,” Gibson said. “No question.”Collmenter Authentic Michael Young Jersey blanked the Brewers for the second straight game, registered the longest outing of his career and extended his scoreless streak to 14 innings — all of those coming against Milwaukee.”I think today was a culmination of everything that I can do as a pitcher,” the right-handed rookie said. “I really had everything working and kept them off-balance.” On July 6 at Miller Park, Collmenter allowed three hits, struck out three and walked one in six innings.On Monday, he allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked none over 105 pitches (74 strikes).”I just wanted to Twins Denard Span Jersey make sure I went out there and didn’t change a whole lot from last time,” Collmenter said. “And see how they’d react and adjust to what I was Denard Span Jersey doing, and I was able to kind of plug along and get Authentic Carlos Beltran Jersey some early outs and some quick innings when I needed them.”Collmenter was backed by a fine defensive play Carlos Beltran Jersey from Willie Bloomquist in the first inning and a two-run home run by Ryan Roberts in the sixth.With Nyjer Morgan on second base with two outs in the first and Prince Fielder up, the Brewers first baseman — who was booed consistently throughout the game — lined sharply into the hole at shortstop.Bloomquist laid out to make a back-handed stab in the outfield grass and with Morgan trying to score from second, threw from his knees to Henry Blanco, who was blocking the plate.”He made a great play and a great throw from his knees,” Gibson said, ensuring the play did not go unnoticed.The D-backs opened the scoring in the third when Gerardo Parra grounded into a double play to score Blanco with the bases loaded.Roberts’ blast came with two outs in the sixth, immediately after Chris Young doubled, and traveled deep into the left-field seats for his second home run in as many games.”I did everything I could do,” said Brewers starter Randy Wolf. “I made a mistake, that happens. I did my job to the best of my ability.Meanwhile, Collmenter was Mets Carlos Beltran Jersey working through the Brewers’ lineup with ease, at one point retiring 12 straight batters — a career-high — from the start of the second inning through the end of the fifth.In fact, he retired 21 of 22 batters after the first inning, with the lone hit a Yuniesky Carlos Zambrano Jersey Betancourt bunt single that led off the sixth.”I kind of got locked Michael Young Jersey in,” Collmenter said. “It’s good as a pitcher when you’re in those zones, and it was definitely good to get back on track, with the last one before the break and now this one after the break, and give our rotation momentum.”Wolf bent but did not break, pitching seven serviceable innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and striking out three.He escaped unscathed from a pair of two-on, no-out jams and surrendered Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey only a run on the double-play ball in the third after the D-backs loaded the bases with no outs.”Honestly, we didn’t make use of our opportunities,” Gibson said. “You just have to deal with that and keep playing.”Gibson said he didn’t seriously consider leaving Collmenter in for the ninth to earn his first career complete game.”Just because of where he’s at, his youth and how far we pushed him,” Gibson said. “You just worry about doing the right thing sometimes with those guys. But after the eighth inning, we knew he was done.”And while he understood his manager’s decision, Collmenter said he wanted to keep pitching.”I didn’t know how many pitches I was at,” he said. “I thought I was right around 100, and anytime you get to that position, you want to be able to finish it.”Instead, David Hernandez picked up his ninth save of the season, sitting the Brewers down Authentic Denard Span Jersey in order in the ninth.The D-backs’ third straight victory kept them 3 1/2 games behind the Giants, who blanked the Dodgers, in the National League West.”We haven’t Rangers Michael Young Jersey been swinging the bats great since we’ve come back from the All-Star break,” Gibson said. “But here we’ve won three out of four games, so that’s the part we’re after.”

ST. PETERSBURG – A bolt of lightning brought Monday night’s Yankees-Rays game to a sudden halt in the fifth inning. It also put a charge in the Bombers, who Authentic Michael Cuddyer Jersey overcame a sluggish start to rally for a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.The Yankees scored twice in the eighth to tie the game, Johan Santana Jersey then took the lead in the ninth as rookie Alex Torres issued a bases-loaded walk to Russell Martin to bring home the decisive run.”Patience by our hitters,” Joe Girardi said about the key to the winning rally, after three straight walks (one intentional) put the Yankees ahead. “Not trying to do it all at once; just be patient and keep the line Alfonso Soriano Jersey moving.”BOX SCORE: YANKEES 5, RAYS 4Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, clinching the Yankees’ third straight win with his 24th save.The victory moved the Yankees 6-1/2 games ahead of the third-place Rays in the AL wild-card Cubs Starlin Castro Jersey race. The Bombers remain 1-1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.”I think this is an important series for us, because this is one of the teams that we know we’re going to continue to fight for our division,” Girardi said. “There’s a long way to go, Authentic Johan Santana Jersey but these are four important games.”Russell Martin walks with the bases juiced to score the winning run in the 9th. (Mike Carlson/AP)Things didn’t look good for the Yankees through the Cubs Alfonso Soriano Jersey first seven innings, as A.J. Burnett delivered one of his trademark performances, which is to Mets Johan Santana Jersey say he was consistently inconsistent. Burnett gave up four runs (three earned) on Authentic Alfonso Soriano Jersey eight hits and six walks in 5-1/3 innings, struggling to get ahead of hitters all night.Burnett seemed to settle Authentic Starlin Castro Jersey down after allowing four runs in the first two Twins Michael Cuddyer Jersey innings, but Rays rookie righthander Alex Cobb held the Yankees to two runs (one earned) over six innings, outperforming his veteran counterpart.”I didn’t fold and kept us in it the best I could,” Burnett said. “Overall, to be able to find a way to throw some zeroes after the four in the first two, I’m going to take some positives from that.”Unfortunately for Cobb and the Rays, Kyle Farnsworth was unable to slam the door, entering in the eighth with two men on base and allowing both to score to tie the game.After playing a 16-inning game on Sunday night, the Rays sent Torres to the mound in Michael Cuddyer Jersey the ninth for his big-league debut. The 23-year-old lefty gave up a single before recording two outs, but after the Rays intentionally walked Nick Swisher to put two men on base, Torres walked both Andruw Jones and Martin, forcing in the game-winner.”It seemed like they had our number the whole night,” Martin said. “We were just able Starlin Castro Jersey to rally late; everybody played their part, getting walks, big knocks here and there. It was definitely a big team win.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez made his first rehab start Sunday with Class A Advanced San Jose, and his numbers weren’t impressive.Recovering from left Michael Young Jersey biceps tendinitis, Sanchez gave up six runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three in just 2 2/3 innings. He threw 51 pitches, 35 of them for strikes. While Giants manager Bruce Bochy admitted Sanchez’s line Sunday left something to be desired, he said there was more to the story than Denard Span Jersey just that.”Overall, the numbers didn’t look good,” Bochy said, “but he threw better than that, from our reports.”Sanchez will make another start Friday, this time with Triple-A Fresno, and Bochy said he expects the left-hander to pitch better in that outing.As for how the rotation will Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey be affected upon Sanchez’s return, Bochy once again said the Giants will cross that bridge when they come to it.A question of more immediate concern regarding the starting rotation is who will start Friday’s game. Bochy didn’t have an answer to that either, as of Monday afternoon. He planned to discuss the matter again with pitching coach Dave Righetti. Barry Zito is scheduled to start the series opener against the Brewers, but given the lefty’s struggles in his last outing and Thursday’s day off, Matt Cain could get the start on normal rest.                                              Tejada, Stewart dinged up vs. Dodgers                SAN FRANCISCO — Giants shortstop Miguel Tejada left Monday night’s 5-0 win over the Dodgers in AT&T Park during the third inning due to a lower Carlos Zambrano Jersey abdominal strain, and catcher Chris Stewart exited in the sixth with a contusion on his head.Neither injury is serious, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after the game, and Stewart said he felt fine and probably could have remained in the game. Tejada, meanwhile, could be ready to return in a day or so, Bochy said.With two outs and a runner on first after right-hander Ryan Vogelsong walked Authentic Michael Young Jersey pitcher Chad Billingsley, Dodgers leadoff batter Mets Carlos Beltran Jersey Rafael Furcal knocked a grounder at Tejada. The shortstop muffed the play and earned his team-high 10th error of the season, allowing Furcal to reach safely and Billingsley to advance to second. Tejada came up limping Twins Denard Span Jersey on the play.A team athletic trainer came out to check on Tejada, eventually helping him as he limped off the field. Rookie shortstop Brandon Crawford entered the game to replace Tejada, and Vogelsong got out of the inning by striking out Aaron Miles.When Miles singled to right-center field in the sixth, he brought his bat around and knocked Stewart near the top of his head. The catcher remained in the rest of the inning after spending a few minutes sitting on Authentic Carlos Beltran Jersey the ground near home plate, but he was replaced in the bottom of the inning by Eli Whiteside.Stewart passed several tests after the game. He said he would undergo further testing late Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, but he felt ready to go.”It’s one of those things where we’re just taking a precautionary route,” Stewart said. “If something were to happen like that a second time during the game, who knows how long it would have knocked me out for. It’s just a day-to-day thing right now. I feel great.”Bochy mentioned before Monday’s game how impressed he had been with Tejada’s at-bats lately — the main reason the veteran started against Billingsley instead of the left-handed-hitting Crawford.Tejada is batting .341 (14-for-41) with two doubles, two home runs and six RBIs in 12 games this month. After batting .217 over the first two months of the season, Tejada has hit .286 with seven doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs since June 1.                                              Giants set for visit to White House                SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants will finally get a chance to meet President Barack Obama and once again celebrate their 2010 World Series championship at the White House next Monday.The president will welcome the Carlos Beltran Jersey defending champs to the White House to honor them for winning last year’s World Series, while also recognizing them for giving back to their community, as part of his tradition of honoring championship teams for their work on and off the field.The Giants Authentic Denard Span Jersey are off Monday, so manager Bruce Bochy said the team will have a little more time to enjoy the nation’s capital before heading to Philadelphia for a rematch of last year’s National League Championship Series against the Phillies.”It’s going to be very special for all of us. It means you won the World Series the year before, and that’s part of the deal that goes with it. It’s an honor, and I’m certainly looking forward to it,” Bochy said. “The guys can spend some time there and just get a chance to meet the president, which is always an honor. I know the guys have been to the White House, but we haven’t been there when the president’s been there, so it’s going to be a thrill for everybody.”Bochy said he and his players haven’t received any guidelines or instructions regarding how to behave around the president or while at the White House, but he wasn’t worried about any of his so-called “misfits” acting out of line.”They’re well-behaved,” Bochy said. “They may not look it, but they are.”That includes bearded closer Brian Wilson, who drew some attention during the All-Star break for his fashion choice at another public event: the spandex tuxedo he donned at Wednesday night’s ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.”He may break it out for that,” Bochy said. “I don’t know if they’ll let him in wearing that.”                                              DeRosa optimistic after first rehab games                SAN FRANCISCO — There were times, Mark DeRosa said Monday, when he thought his latest wrist injury would end his career. That’s part of the reason why his first rehab games with Class A Advanced San Jose were so encouraging to the Cubs Carlos Zambrano Jersey 36-year-old utility man.DeRosa went 2-for-5 with a double in two five-inning appearances for the San Jose Giants, playing third base in Saturday’s game and second on Sunday, and he will move on to play with Triple-A Fresno starting Tuesday. DeRosa smiled as he said he was “pleasantly surprised” with how he felt, and with a postive mindset aided by his outings this weekend, he could speak optimistically about his future.”I’m not thinking about it. That was the biggest thing for me — not worrying about it and going in there and just concentrating on finding timing, finding a rhythm, getting back out there, playing and knowing that I don’t have some frayed tendon in my wrist ready to go,” DeRosa said. “I think it was a little bit more of a relief this time to get out there. And just the way I felt, to be honest with you. I haven’t had an at-bat in a long time. I didn’t feel that bad.”However, DeRosa is still cautious about his recovery from a left wrist strain, having had two surgeries on it since October 2009. He didn’t know about the timeframe for his potential return, though the initial goal was Aug. 1. And he isn’t going to get carried away about how good he feels quite yet, taking his time and listening to the training staff instead of rushing back to action.”I think I’ve got to be honest with myself,” DeRosa said. “I wanted to come back so bad last time, and I ended up not playing well and doing more damage. I think if I’m going to give this thing a legitimate shot and try to come help this team, I think I’ve got to listen to them, whenever that may be. If it was up to me, I’d be activated today, but I understand.”There’s opportunities for me to be out there. That being said, I haven’t done anything meaningful for this organization in two years, so I’ve got some work to do,” he continued. “I’m very motivated. There were moments where I thought I was done, so just to be able to go there for the last two days and see some positive was good.”                                              Worth noting                • An interesting — and perhaps surprising — stat presented to Bochy before Monday’s game: The Giants have been one game better without injured catcher Buster Posey (28-20) Rangers Michael Young Jersey than they were with him (27-21). While there are no doubts about how much losing Posey for the year has hurt San Francisco’s offensive production, Bochy said it may have also sparked something in the rest of the club.”More than anything, just doing some little things to help win ballgames. It certainly hasn’t been our offense, if you look at the numbers — power, driving in runs, things like that,” Bochy said. “We miss Buster hitting in the heart of our order, but the guys are doing some small things to help win ballgames. And they’re not dwelling on the fact that he’s not here. That’s so important when things like that happen.”• San Francisco’s bullpen has allowed just one run in 18 1/3 innings (0.49 ERA) since the All-Star break. The Giants relief corps ranks third in the National League in ERA (2.97) on the season, leads the league in wins (22) and saves (35) and owns the second-lowest batting average against (.221).• NFL legend Joe Montana, actor Benjamin Bratt and San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan were on hand for Monday’s series opener against the Dodgers. Montana spoke with Bochy in his office, while Bratt met with several players in the home dugout at AT&T Park.

BALTIMORE — This time, there were no hit batters, brawls or ejections. No pointing, posturing or balls thrown at or behind anyone. The Red Sox and Orioles Cubs Kosuke Fukudome Jersey got back to baseball Monday night, and Boston let its bats do the talking. Those bats spoke volumes as the Red Sox showed the Orioles why they’re the best-hitting team in the Authentic Joe Mauer Jersey Major Leagues. Boston roughed up six Baltimore pitchers for 16 hits, the most damaging of which came in an eight-run eighth inning that helped the Red Sox pull out a 15-10 victory over the Orioles before 27,924 at Camden Yards. The two teams got into a well-publicized fracas in Boston last weekend which seemed to have some residual affects in the rest of that series. It also cost the Red Sox the services of David Lan Kinsler Jersey Ortiz — who had to start serving a three-game suspension Monday — and some were wondering what would happen when they met again. But not to worry; there were no such problems on this night. The bigger issue seemed to be sleep, or lack thereof. The Red Sox certainly didn’t get much Sunday night since their game St. Petersburg ended at 1:54 a.m. ET, and the team didn’t arrive at their Baltimore hotel until around 6 a.m.  The baseball gods made life tough on Boston once more Joe Mauer Jersey as this game featured 25 runs, 28 hits and dragged on for three hours, 37 minutes on a very humid 95-degree night. But the Red Sox were up to the task, as they scored three in the third, two in Mets David Wright Jersey the fourth, one in the fifth and the seventh and then eight in the eighth. They blew an early 5-2 lead, but scored nine straight runs to rally and get the victory. “We didn’t have much sleep, but we just came out and we actually swung the bats really good,” said second David Wright Jersey baseman Dustin Pedroia. “We’re all happy we won, and we Rangers Lan Kinsler Jersey get to go [to the hotel] and get some rest.” Pedroia played a big role in helping the Red Sox win. He got the tie-breaking two-run double, one of the big hits in the eight-run eighth that eventually gave Boston (58-36) a 15-7 lead. Pedroia got the game-winning hit in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over the Rays in a 16-inning marathon, and came through again later the same day. He went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, stretched his hitting streak to 16 games. Pedroia has now reached safely in a season-best 28 straight games. That’s the longest active streak in the Majors. In addition, Pedroia has hits in 34 of his last 36 games, batting .377 over that time and improving his season average to .295. “I think I said that a million times,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “He’s too good a player, just stay out of Kosuke Fukudome Jersey his way and let him play, and he’ll be right where he needs to be at the end — as long as he’s healthy.” The Red Sox also got three-RBI nights from Kevin Youkilis and Darnell McDonald. Jacoby Ellsbury got a team-best three hits and scored three runs, and four other players scored twice, while five others had two hits. The Orioles forced Boston to keep hitting, since they were banging away themselves early on. Baltimore (38-55) got homers from J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones, plus a two-run Nolan Reimold double, to end starter Tim Wakefield’s night in the fifth. The Orioles scored five runs to take a 7-6 lead in Authentic Lan Kinsler Jersey that inning. Youkilis tied it with an RBI single in the Authentic David Wright Jersey seventh, and everything changed Twins Joe Mauer Jersey in the eighth. Pedroia greeted Mark Worrell — pitching in the Majors for the first time in three years — with his two-run double. Youkilis added a two-run single moments later. Carl Crawford celebrated his return after missing nearly a month with an RBI single, and former Oriole McDonald lined a three-run double to left off Chris Jakubaskas to make it 15-7. Michael Gonzalez (1-2) took the loss. “We battled back a little bit and had the momentum, and it happened kind of quick,” said Hardy of Boston’s rally. “Eight runs and then bam.” The pitching of Dan Wheeler (2-1) proved crucial to giving the Red Sox a chance to rally. He came on for Wakefield in the fifth and threw 2 1/3 innings of hitless baseball to shut down the Orioles to earn the victory. “I threw some good strikes,” Wheeler said. “I’m just making a lot better pitches. When you put balls in certain places, you have a better chance of success.” The 16 hits improved Boston’s team average to .276, the best in baseball. Baltimore’s ERA now stands at 4.88, the worst in baseball. On a night when the Red Sox were dragging a bit, that matchup made Boston’s bats look alive. “It’s tough; I was tired,” Pedroia said. “I’m sure everyone else was. We’re just all trying to win the game. I mean, that’s what we get paid to do. Whatever situation comes up in the game, we’ve Authentic Kosuke Fukudome Jersey got to respond to it.”

ST. Matt Garza Jersey PETERSBURG — For years, the Yankees have held a reputation as one of the best teams at making a pitcher work. On Monday night, that approach helped them rattle Alex Torres during his Major League debut en route to notching a series-opening 5-4 win over the Rays. Recalled for action because of the 16-inning Sunday night game the Rays lost to the Red Sox and optioned back to Triple-A after the game, Torres stepped into a critical juncture of the game against a team that was going to make him throw strikes to beat it. Torres issued a two-out walk to Andruw Jones to load the bases, then walked Russell Martin to give the Yankees the lead and an eventual victory on a night they couldn’t muster much against rookie starter Alex Cobb. “They’ve been doing it for so long that when they do chase pitches, that’s when you’re kind of surprised,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “And they did a real good job of being patient.” A.J. Burnett was erratic and the offense only contributed eight singles, but Justin Morneau Jersey the Yankees were Authentic Ike Davis Jersey resourceful, getting the effective Cobb’s pitch count up to force Rays manager Joe Maddon to go to a shorthanded bullpen by the seventh.  That helped the  Yankees tie the game at 4 with two runs in the eighth, and it led to a tension-filled top of the ninth that Torres was hardly able to handle.  With Curtis Granderson on third and two outs, Torres intentionally walked Nick Swisher to pitch to Josh Hamilton Jersey Jones, but then walked Jones to load the bases. Martin capped a seven-pitch at-bat with a walk of his own to give the Yankees their second lead and cap a late comeback.  “They do not expand their strike zones,” said Maddon. “On that team right there, maybe just a couple of guys you might have a chance to get them to swing at something outside the strike zone. That group makes you throw the ball over the plate.”Torres’ full-count pitch to Martin — a slider that stayed up in the zone — looked especially tough to take. The Yankees’ catcher flinched his hands, but held his bat, took his base and set Ike Davis Jersey it up for Mariano Rivera to notch his 24th save in the bottom half.  “Obviously 3-2, you’re ready to swing because he’s trying to throw a strike and he’s not trying to walk you,” Martin said. “But I just recognized it early and didn’t swing.” The Twins Justin Morneau Jersey ninth-inning rally wasn’t possible without Brett Gardner, who has stolen a career-high 13 consecutive bases and Authentic Justin Morneau Jersey is 11-for-19 with six runs scored in five second-half games. Trailing by two with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, Gardner made it a one-run game with an RBI single off Kyle Farnsworth, then allowed the Yankees to tie it by breaking up a potential inning-ending double play with a hard slide. “[Eduardo Nunez] gets down the line pretty well, so I’m not sure if they would’ve turned the double play if I wouldn’t have been there,” Gardner said. “But you have to do what you can to Mets Ike Davis Jersey try to get that run across.” Burnett couldn’t get much across the plate early. And when he did, the Rays hit him hard. Coming off Authentic Matt Garza Jersey the longest game in their Rangers Josh Hamilton Jersey history — a  five-hour, 44-minute marathon that resulted in a 1-0 loss to the Red Sox — the Rays jumped on Burnett with four runs in the first two innings to build an early cushion. Burnett was frustrated by his lacking of fastball command. He scattered eight hits and threw just 59 of his 110 pitches for strikes, and his six walks added to his Major League-leading 58 on the year. But he limited the damage — perhaps thanks to a little lightning. With two outs in the top Cubs Matt Garza Jersey of the fifth, a lightning bolt struck a line from a nearby substation, causing a row of lights on the first-base side of Tropicana Field to shut off. Because it was a big spot in the Authentic Josh Hamilton Jersey game — first and second, two outs with Robinson Cano up — Girardi opted to wait out the 18-minute delay to make sure his team had full visibility. During that time, Burnett flung about 20 balls against a net in the bowels of The Trop. He felt that allowed him to refocus and eventually keep the Yankees in the game. “Maybe that should happen more often,” he said. “… Maybe I needed a break, I needed some time.” Cobb, meanwhile, kept the Yankees in check with a nasty splitter. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up two runs, but the Yankees only had two hits against him in the first five frames and didn’t really hit a ball hard until Nick Swisher’s single in the sixth. Cobb exited with 99 pitches through six innings. And because Maddon had to search deep into his bullpen for arms late in the game, the Yankees remained 1 1/2 games back of the Red Sox in the American League East and moved to 6 1/2 up on the third-place Rays.  “It’s a big win, especially when you come back late like that,” Martin said. “They had our number the whole night and we were just able to rally late. Everyone played their part.”