MLB Capsules: Jays fan hit by falling letter
TORONTO (AP) — Baseball fans have long been warned to look out for foul balls and flying bats.
Now add falling letters to the list.
A fan at the Toronto Blue Jays' game was OK on Monday after being struck in the right shoulder by a tumbling, metal "B'' from a sign honoring Jackie Robinson.
The middle-aged man had a scrape after a foul ball by home run leader Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays dislodged one of the letters in a tribute honoring Robinson's retired No. 42.
The letter fell about 30 feet from the facing over the third deck behind home plate in the seventh inning of the Texas-Toronto game.
"I was very surprised, because I didn't expect a 'B' to fall on me," said the injured fan, who gave only his first name as Ian and said he was a season-ticket holder from Toronto. He was watching the game with his son.
Although he was sore, the fan who was struck said the injury wouldn't prove too serious; he throws left-handed.
The white letter, some two feet high, bounced down the aisle and was picked up in the front row by fan Bruno DeRose, who proudly held it over his head. Other fans booed when stadium security took the letter away.
"They should have at least given me a couple of tickets or a ball," DeRose said. "I couldn't believe it happened."
Two kids injured at Giants-Diamondbacks game
PHOENIX (AP) — Two children have been taken to the hospital after being struck by a bat and a ball at Monday's game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants.
A 13-year-old boy seated near Arizona's dugout just beyond the start of the protective netting was hit on the right side of the head in the fourth inning after San Francisco's Buster Posey lost his bat swinging at a pitch.
In the next at-bat, the Giants' Pablo Sandoval sent a foul ball into the upper deck, where it struck a 2-year-old girl on the forehead.
Medical personnel rushed to the boy and started applying pressure and a cold compress to the side of his head for several minutes. He was later fitted with a neck brace and strapped to a stretcher.
The boy was alert and speaking with medics as they worked on him and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as he was carried away. A security official at Chase Field said he was taken to a hospital as a precaution.
"I felt terrible, obviously," Posey said. "Somebody told me he left thumbs up, so I wish him the best. Hopefully, everything's all right."
The girl also was taken to the hospital.
American League
A-Rod reaches 100 RBIs for 13th year in row
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez reached 100 RBIs for a record 14th season with plenty of time to spare.
A-Rod had a solo home run in the fourth inning off Brian Matusz and a sacrifice fly in the sixth of the New York Yankees' 4-3 loss to Baltimore on Monday.
Rodriguez surpassed Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx, who each reached the mark 13 times.
"It's an amazing number. It just shows you how consistent he has been," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He came up at a young age and has been consistent throughout his career. It's a pretty amazing feat."
Rodriguez has 13 consecutive seasons with 100 RBIs. With 22 homers, he also has a chance to reach 30 for the 13th time in a row and 14th overall.
Last year, Rodriguez needed a three-run homer and a grand slam at Tampa Bay in the seventh inning of New York's regular-season finale to keep up his streaks of 30 and 100.
"Obviously you try to come out and be consistent every year," Rodriguez said. "It's nice."
Rodriguez hit his 605th home run overall. He is seventh, trailing Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey Jr. (630) and Sammy Sosa (609).
Activated a day earlier following a stint on the disabled list due to a tight left calf, Rodriguez raised his average to .267. Before Sunday, he hadn't played since Aug. 20.
"It's only eight or nine at-bats," he said, "but I certainly feel pretty good. I'm seeing the ball well."
-- Ronald Blum
Pettitte to make minor league start Thursday
NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte will make a rehabilitation start for the Yankees' Double-A farm team at Trenton on Thursday night.
The 38-year-old left-hander has not pitched in a game since July 18 because of a strained left groin. He threw a bullpen session before Monday's 4-3 loss to Baltimore.
"I feel good," he said.
Pettitte's rehab start will come in the Thunder's Eastern League playoff against New Hampshire. Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who had said before the game that Pettitte would pitch Trenton's opener Wednesday, then pushed Pettitte back a day to get him in rotation and projected he will throw four innings or 65 pitches, whichever comes first.
It's not certain whether Pettitte will make a second minor league appearance before rejoining the major league rotation.
"We'll see how it goes," Girardi said. "Kind of anticipate that will probably be two rehab starts, but if it's one, it's one."
With Austin Kearns bothered by a bone bruise on his right index finger, the Yankees recalled outfielder Colin Curtis from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Kearns hopes to play in a few days.
"With just some of the injuries we have to the outfield, we felt we could use another outfielder," Girardi said.
Right fielder Nick Swisher started for the first time since leaving Thursday's game against Oakland because of a stiff left knee. He went 0 for 3 with a walk.
"It felt a little sore, but that's to be expected," he said. "It's just nice to be back out there."
-- Ronald Blum
A's send down struggling starter Vin Mazzaro
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — In a surprising September move, the Oakland Athletics have optioned struggling starter Vin Mazzaro to Triple-A Sacramento.
Rosters expand in September, so the A's could have chosen to sit Mazzaro and have him work things out in side sessions and bullpens. Instead, Mazzaro was sent down Monday and will pitch in the River Cats' rotation during the Pacific Coast League playoffs.
Oakland manager Bob Geren said overall consistency was Mazzaro's biggest problem and the A's need to see better command and more strikes from the right-hander.
Mazzaro went 0-6 with a 5.60 ERA in his last eight starts during a second stint in the majors this year. He has dropped his last three starts, including Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
Red Sox recall Triple-A 1B Anderson, start him
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have promoted first baseman Lars Anderson from Triple-A Pawtucket and put him in the starting lineup against Tampa Bay in his major league debut.
The Red Sox also activated catcher Jason Varitek from the 15-day disabled list Monday and recalled outfielder Josh Reddick after Pawtucket played its season finale. Both Varitek, who was on a two-game rehab assignment, and Reddick were to make the short drive to Boston and be active for the Red Sox game.
Boston manager Terry Francona said before the game that right-hander Michael Bowden will also be recalled Tuesday.
Rays recall RHP Andy Sonnanstine from minors
BOSTON (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have recalled right-hander Andy Sonnanstine from Class-A Hudson Valley.
The move was made before Monday night's game against the Boston Red Sox.
Sonnanstine was optioned to the minors Aug. 31 to open a roster spot for Brad Hawpe, who was signed to a minor league contract on Aug. 27 after he was released by Colorado a day earlier.
Sonnanstine was 3-1 with a 4.29 ERA is 38 games with Tampa Bay before he was sent down.
Royals recall OF Dyson
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Kansas City Royals recalled outfielder Jarrod Dyson from Triple-A Omaha before Monday's game against the Minnesota Twins.
Dyson was the Royals' 50th and final pick in the 2006 draft.
The 26-year-old has fought through a lat injury and high ankle sprain to play at four levels this season, capped by 46 games with Omaha, where he hit .272 with 19 RBIs and 13 steals.
Royals manager Ned Yost said Dyson will be added to the regular outfield rotation as the team evaluates players down the stretch.
National League
Staggering Padres scratch Latos vs Dodgers
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The staggering San Diego Padres scratched ace Mat Latos from Monday night's start against rival Los Angeles due to stomach flu.
Latos said he lobbied manager Bud Black, but the skipper was concerned that the right-hander was dehydrated and weakened by the illness. Latos said he's feeling better and that'll he'll likely start Tuesday night.
"It didn't make sense for me to pitch a guy who didn't sleep, who was throwing up all night, and when he came in looked white as a sheet," Black said.
Latos was sick on Sunday.
"I had it from when I walked into the clubhouse till the end of the game, then it just felt like something was stabbing me in the stomach," he said. "I had real sharp pains in my stomach. Everything that hit my system was back up almost immediately. It was violent."
Tim Stauffer was set to make the emergency start for the Padres, who have lost 10 straight games and saw their lead atop the NL West cut to just one-half game after the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
Stauffer faced three batters in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Colorado.
His only other start this season was also an emergency, May 9 at Houston when Kevin Correia left the team after the death of his younger brother. Stauffer allowed six hits in five innings and left with a 3-0 lead. The Padres lost 4-3 in 11 innings.
On Aug. 21, 2006, Stauffer was hastily summoned from Triple-A Portland to fill in for ailing Chan Ho Park. Stauffer didn't know he was starting that night until he arrived at Petco Park, then went out and retired the first 10 Dodgers en route to a 4-2 victory.
Correia had been scheduled to start Tuesday. If Latos pitches Tuesday, Black said he will stick with rookie Cory Luebke on Wednesday and push Correia back to later in the week.
-- Bernie Wilson
Pirates to bring up 8 from Triple-A
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates will bring up eight players from Triple-A Indianapolis in time for Tuesday's game against Atlanta, including right-hander Brad Lincoln and outfielder Brandon Moss.
Lincoln was 1-4 with a 6.57 ERA in nine midseason starts for Pittsburgh before being sent back to Indianapolis. Moss was a starting outfielder in 2009, but lost his job after hitting .236 with 84 strikeouts in 385 at-bats.
Also being brought up are infielder Pedro Ciriaco, catcher Jason Jaramillo, left-hander Justin Thomas, outfielder Alex Presley and right-handers Brian Bass and Steven Jackson.
Presley hit .294 average in 69 Triple-A games after batting .350 with Double-A Altoona.
Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf and first baseman Jeff Clement were transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Infielder Aki Iwamura and catcher Erik Kratz were designated for assignment.
Braves' Lowe set to start Wednesday
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Derek Lowe's right elbow feels fine after throwing in the bullpen and he is scheduled to start Wednesday for the Braves against the Pirates.
Lowe (11-12) missed his last scheduled start due to elbow soreness. He was encouraged after throwing lightly Sunday, and he threw in the bullpen Monday for the first time in three weeks. He has skipped recent throwing sessions to keep his arm fresh.
Lowe has bone chips in the elbow and will decide at the end of the season whether to have them removed. He last started on Aug. 29, giving up five runs and six hits in three innings against Florida.
Rockies bring up catcher, activate Daley
DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have reinstated right-hander Matt Daley from the 60-day disabled list.
Daley was 0-1 with a 3.74 ERA in 26 games for Colorado before going on the DL June 16 with an inflamed pitching shoulder.
The Rockies also recalled Mike McKenry from Triple-A Colorado Springs to serve as their third catcher down the stretch.
McKenry hit .265 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs in 99 games with Colorado Springs, his first season at Triple-A. Manager Jim Tracy said McKenry deserved the call-up because of his offense, game-calling and defense.
Marlins rookie pitcher Mendez hurt running bases
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Florida pitcher Adalberto Mendez has been forced out of his major league debut after tossing six scoreless innings because he got hurt running to first base on a single.
The Marlins rookie held the Phillies to just one hit, but came out after straining his right quad Monday. He slowed down before reaching first base and hobbled to the bag before he was helped to the dugout.
Florida had a 2-0 lead when Mendez departed. The 28-year-old right-hander spent seven seasons in the minors before finally getting called up.
Cubs' Ramirez misses game with strained quad
CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez missed Monday's series opener with Houston with a strained right quad and the length of his absence is uncertain.
The Chicago third baseman, who homered for the second straight game in Sunday's 18-5 loss to the Mets, was replaced by veteran infielder Jeff Baker in the starting lineup as the Cubs and Astros met in a Labor Day matinee at Wrigley Field.
Ramirez leads the Cubs with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs.
Dodgers promote Lindsey after 15 years in minors
SAN DIEGO (AP) — John Lindsey has finally reached the big leagues after 15 years in the minors.
The Los Angeles Dodgers purchased Lindsey's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday. The 33-year-old first baseman spent time in the minors with four organizations.
Lindsey won the Pacific Coast League batting title with a .353 average. He also had 25 homers and 97 RBIs in 107 games.
The Dodgers also recalled right-handers John Ely and Jon Link, and infielder Chin-lung Hu. They purchased the contract of third baseman Russ Mitchell.
