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MLB Capsules - NL: Happ earns first win since May as Astros beat Nats
HOUSTON (AP) — J.A. Happ hadn't won in more than two months. So Houston's starter was relieved to finally pick up a victory Tuesday night.
Clint Barmes homered and drove in a season-high three runs and Michael Bourn added three RBIs to help Happ break a seven-game losing streak in the Astros' 7-6 win over the Washington Nationals.
Happ (4-11) yielded seven hits and five runs with four walks in 5 2-3 innings to break the career-long skid and win for the first time since May 14, a string of 10 straight starts without a victory.
It had been so long, he didn't remember when he last won.
"It seems likes it's been a while," he said. "I don't know the specifics, but too long, so hopefully we can build off this one and try to get some momentum."
Happ said he was encouraged by his teammates telling him before and during Tuesday's game that they were going to pick him up in this one.
"I was just trying to get some positive energy going and that's nice to hear, especially when things are going tough for us and for me," he said. "So I think that helped tonight."
Barmes hit his two-run shot in the second inning and added a run on a single in the fourth. Bourn pushed Houston's lead to 6-2 in the fourth with a two-run double. His run-scoring single in the sixth made it 7-5 after Washington scored three in the sixth.
"To see Happ throw the way that he did is huge for us and obviously for him as well because he's got (a lot of) talent," Barmes said. "He's going to be a huge asset to this team. So hopefully he can build from this and he's only going to make us better."
Michael Morse and Jerry Hairston Jr. both homered and had three hits and two RBIs for the Nationals.
Houston closer Mark Melancon hit Morse with a pitch with two outs in the ninth before walking Jayson Werth, but struck out Wilson Ramos to get his eighth save.
Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann (6-8) allowed a season-high six runs and seven hits in five innings in his shortest outing of the season. He took a grounder from Angel Sanchez off his left leg in the first inning, but appeared to be OK after being checked out by trainers and throwing a couple of warmup pitches.
He said getting hit wasn't the reason he struggled.
"No. I just didn't have a good feel for much of anything," he said. "My slider was pretty terrible tonight, and I had a rough time locating the fastball. When you have nights like that, you are going to get hit around. It's a shame the offense puts up six runs, and I feel like I didn't do my part."
Hairston singled to left field in the eighth inning, but Carlos Lee grabbed the ball after it bounced off the wall and launched it to Sanchez who tagged him out at second base.
Morse hit a ground-rule double to start the seventh inning before advancing to third on a single by Werth. Morse scored when Ramos grounded into a double play to get Washington within 7-6.
"That was a tough game," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "I liked our offense. I didn't like our pitching so much."
Humberto Quintero singled with two outs in the sixth inning before pinch-hitter Brian Bogusevic walked. Bourn followed with a single that sailed just out of reach of a leaping Ryan Zimmerman and into left field to leave Houston ahead 7-5.
Hairston's homer came with one out in the sixth and cut Houston's lead to 6-4. It was his first game back after being activated from the disabled list on Monday after recovering from a broken bone in his right wrist.
Happ walked pinch-hitter Alex Cora after Hairston's homer before he was replaced by Fernando Rodriguez with two outs. A wild pitch by Rodriguez sent Cora to second before he scored on a single by Ian Desmond to get the Nationals within 6-5. Rodriguez struck out Zimmerman to end the inning.
Barmes put Houston up 3-2 with a run-scoring single to center field in the fourth. Lee singled before a double by Chris Johnson to set up that score. A single by Humberto Quintero scored Johnson and pushed the lead to 4-2.
Happ hit a sacrifice bunt before Bourn's two-RBI double left Houston ahead 6-2 later in the inning.
Ryan Zimmerman walked in the third inning before Morse extended his career high with his 17th homer of the season and second in as many days, to tie it at 2-all.
Lee singled with one out in the second inning before the two-out homer by Barmes put Houston up 2-0.
"We were able to get to their pitcher early," Bourn said. "To me he had good stuff, he just left some balls up and we were able to take advantage of them."
NOTES: Houston traded 2B Jeff Keppinger to the Giants for two Double-A pitchers before the game. ... Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, the 11th overall pick in this year's NFL draft, took batting practice with the Astros before the game. ... The Nationals reinstated RHP Chad Gaudin from the DL and designated him for assignment. Gaudin missed 75 games after being placed on the DL in April with right shoulder inflammation. He went 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 10 appearances for Washington this season. ... Houston C Jason Castro, who has been out all season after surgery on his right knee, will travel to Florida on Wednesday to continue his rehabilitation at the Astros' spring training facility.
Astros trade 2B Keppinger to Giants
HOUSTON (AP) — Being 15 games over .500 and holding a 3½-game lead in the NL West wasn't enough for Giants general manager Brian Sabean.
The architect of San Francisco's stirring run to its first World Series title since 1954, Sabean is once again shaking up his roster.
With infielders Freddy Sanchez and Miguel Tejada on the disabled list, the Giants acquired second baseman Jeff Keppinger from the struggling Houston Astros for two Double-A pitchers on Tuesday.
San Francisco also called up Brandon Belt from Triple-A Fresno to relieve first baseman Aubrey Huff, who has tightness in his lower back.
Sabean hasn't ruled out additional moves, either.
"Without being harsh, this group just isn't getting it done," the GM said before San Francisco hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers. "We need to somehow extend the lineup any way we can, and we think this is an upgrade."
The Giants have had numerous injury problems in their infield this season. Sanchez is out indefinitely with a dislocated right shoulder and Tejada was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with an injury to his lower abdomen. San Francisco signed former Houston second baseman Bill Hall after Sanchez was injured, but Hall is on the DL because of a leg laceration.
Tejada, who has played primarily shortstop and third base, left Monday's 5-0 win against the Dodgers after straining his lower abdomen while trying to field a grounder in the third inning.
"We felt with the injuries we've had up the middle, (Keppinger is) going to give us some strength there, some versatility," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We needed some help there and Brian did a terrific job getting us a really nice player to help out."
The 30-year-old Keppinger arrived in Houston in a March 2009 trade from Cincinnati. He is a career .284 hitter with 30 homers and 200 RBIs with the New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Reds and Astros since his debut in 2004.
Keppinger, batting .307 with four homers and 20 RBIs in 43 games this season since his return from foot surgery, is looking forward to playing for a team in the playoff hunt. He's expected to bat in the No. 2 spot in San Francisco's order.
"I get to go to a team that's in contention," Keppinger said. "This will be the first time I've ever actually been on a team that's been in first place or even with a winning record. It's definitely exciting and that's what you want when you play this game."
Sanchez, sidelined since June 10, was transferred to the 60-day DL to make roster room for Keppinger.
The trade for Keppinger is reminiscent of the moves Sabean made in 2010 when he signed Pat Burrell to a minor league contract, traded for reliever Javier Lopez and picked up Cody Ross off waivers from the Florida Marlins.
All three played key roles in the Giants' championship run, something Sabean hopes to re-create this year.
Reports continue to circulate that San Francisco will make a run at New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, and Sabean hinted he was working on a "bigger deal" last week before turning his attention to Keppinger.
While trading for a potential free agent such as Beltran would likely cost the Giants one or two of their top prospects in a short-term fix, Sabean didn't rule it out.
"Quite frankly we're very lucky, and we know it, to be 15 games above .500," he said. "There's a lot of baseball left to be played, so it's all going to be a function of how much money we can take on, the fallout prospect-wise and whether ideally we're going to deal with a rental or not."
The last-place Astros received right-handed starter Henry Sosa and right-hander reliever Jason Stoffel from the Giants.
"You don't like to see a guy like Keppinger go," Houston manager Brad Mills said. "He's such a professional hitter. I'm sorry to see him go, but I'm happy for him. It's an exciting time, I think, for the organization. We got a couple good arms, it sounds like — not just looking at their numbers, but the reports on them as well. The two guys we got look to be pretty solid players."
Houston also purchased the contract of infielder Jose Altuve from Double-A Corpus Christi, and Mills said he will get significant playing time at second base.
The 25-year-old Sosa spent time at Triple-A Fresno this season, but is currently at Double-A Richmond. He is a combined 8-3 with a 5.51 ERA in 63 2-3 innings.
Stoffel has 13 saves and a 3.98 ERA in 32 games with Richmond this season. He is 4-6 with 42 saves and a 3.77 ERA in 101 career minor league relief appearances.
Houston general manager Ed Wade said he thinks Sosa could become a part of the Astros' rotation as early as next season.
"I think as we move forward here, if we have an opportunity to add prospect depth to the system, we're going to do that," Wade said. "It's about trying to build quality within to get to a point where we can have that core nucleus be developed from within our own organization. That's a very important aspect of what we're trying to do here."
Wade didn't enjoy trading Keppinger, but felt the move was best for his last-place team.
"We've got some infield depth and it gives us a chance to get Altuve up here and let him get his feet wet at the big league level," Wade said. "At the same time add the pitching depth that we're going to desperately need going forward."
The 21-year-old Altuve has a combined .389 average at Class-A Lancaster and Corpus Christi this season. He has 22 doubles, 10 homers and 59 RBIs with 24 stolen bases. Mills said Altuve will start at second base on Wednesday.
-- Kristie Rieken
Other NL Capsules
Belt's double gives Giants win over Dodgers
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Brandon Belt hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning in his first game back in the majors and the San Francisco Giants finally gave Madison Bumgarner some run support at home while beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Belt, called up from Triple-A Fresno earlier in the day to give slumping first baseman Aubrey Huff a rest, homered in his first at-bat. He was retired in his next two trips to the plate, then lined a bases-loaded double down the left-field line off Hong-Chih Kuo (0-1).
The NL West-leading Giants have won nine of 11.
Rafael Furcal singled in two runs for the Dodgers, who lost their sixth consecutive game to San Francisco.
Bumgarner (5-9) struck out seven in eight innings, yielding three runs and four hits. It's the first time in 18 starts at AT&T Park that Bumgarner has received more than three runs of support.
Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for his 29th save in 33 chances.
In addition to bringing up Belt, the Giants acquired second baseman Jeff Keppinger from the Houston Astros for a pair of minor league pitchers and placed infielder Miguel Tejada on the disabled list with a lower abdominal strain.
Rockies 12, Braves 3
DENVER (AP) — Ubaldo Jimenez brushed aside Atlanta's powerful bats along with all that trade talk, and Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez homered for the Rockies.
It was the first win for Colorado in six tries against the Braves this month.
Jimenez (6-8), who has won five of his last six decisions, allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. He doffed his cap as he left to a standing ovation from fans hoping he stays in purple pinstripes for countless more nights like this one.
Jimenez has been mentioned in trade talk but general manager Dan O'Dowd has said he would have to be overwhelmed to part with his ace, who is signed for the next three years at just under $18 million.
Dan Uggla homered twice for Atlanta. Brandon Beachy (3-2) allowed six earned runs and nine hits while struggling through 4 2/3 innings.
Brewers 11, Diamondbacks 3
PHOENIX (AP) — Ryan Braun returned to the lineup and hit the second of the Brewers' three first-inning home runs.
Corey Hart and Yuniesky Betancourt also homered in the first inning for Milwaukee, which won for the third time in four games to remain one game behind first-place Pittsburgh in the NL Central.
Betancourt added a two-run homer in the ninth for his first career two-homer game and Rickie Weeks had a solo shot in the third.
Milwaukee's Yovani Gallardo (11-6) allowed three runs, one earned, and four hits over six innings.
Braun was back after missing 10 of Milwaukee's past 13 games with nagging left calf and hamstring injuries.
Brandon Allen hit a towering home run into the second-deck luxury suites for the Diamondbacks, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Barry Enright (1-4) got the loss.
Pirates 1, Reds 0
PITTSBURGH (AP) — James McDonald and three relievers combined on a six-hitter to help the Pirates shut out the Reds for the second straight night.
McDonald (6-4) won for the first time in five starts, pitching effectively into the seventh inning before getting bailed out of a bases-loaded jam by Joe Beimel and Chris Resop.
Joel Hanrahan worked the ninth for his 28th save as the Pirates managed to make a rare appearance in first place more than a one-day cameo. They also improved to 7-1 this season against the defending NL Central champions.
Mike Leake (8-5) yielded one run in six innings but couldn't stop the Reds (47-50) from dropping three games below .500 for the first time this season.
All-Star Andrew McCutchen drove in Josh Harrison with a groundout in the first inning.
Phillies 4, Cubs 2
CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Martinez hit a tiebreaking two-run double with two out in the ninth inning, leading the Phillies to the victory.
Starlin Castro's two-run homer off Cliff Lee in the first inning held up until Philadelphia chased Matt Garza in the eighth, and Chase Utley tied with a two-run double against Sean Marshall.
The winning rally started when Marshall (5-4) yielded a two-out single by pinch-hitter Ben Francisco. Jimmy Rollins then hit a hard smash off third baseman Aramis Ramirez's glove, putting runners on first and second, and Martinez drove them in with a bloop double down the right-field line.
Michael Stutes (4-1) pitched two innings to get the win, and Antonio Bastardo struck out the side for his seventh save in seven chances.
Mets 4, Cardinals 2
NEW YORK (AP) — Mets shortstop Jose Reyes made a huge impact in the field in his return from a hamstring injury, turning a difficult double play with the bases loaded in the eighth inning after making a diving stop that saved a run.
Fellow All-Star Carlos Beltran also was back in the Mets' lineup after missing three games with a high fever. He hit two doubles, singled, walked twice and scored a run for New York, all while still very congested.
Angel Pagan and Daniel Murphy hit two-run doubles, and Dillon Gee (9-3) pitched seven sharp innings in the Mets' second win in five games.
Lance Berkman hit a mammoth homer and starter Kyle Lohse (8-7) had an RBI single for St. Louis, which opened a stretch of 20 consecutive games with its third loss in four games since the All-Star break.
Padres 4, Marlins 0
MIAMI (AP) — Tim Stauffer pitched six innings and four relievers completed a six-hitter for San Diego.
Ryan Ludwick and Orlando Hudson hit consecutive two-out RBI doubles in the first inning for the Padres, and that was all they needed. Cameron Maybin had two hits, an RBI and a run scored against his former team.
Stauffer (6-6) won for the fourth time in his past five starts and lowered his ERA to 2.83. He allowed four hits and walked two.
The Marlins, playing in their third city in as many days, looked jet-lagged as they went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. Anibal Sanchez (6-3) got the loss.
Heath Bell entered with two on and two outs in the ninth and retired John Buck for his 27th save in 29 chances.
Other NL News
Reyes returns to Mets' lineup
NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Reyes had good reason to flash that big, infectious grin Tuesday night: He was back in the New York Mets lineup.
The All-Star shortstop was activated from the 15-day disabled list for the opener of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals after he missed more than two weeks because of a left hamstring strain.
Right fielder Carlos Beltran also returned Tuesday after he sat out three games with the flu.
"I'm happy, excited. Can't wait to get back on the field," Reyes said. "It's great to have Carlos, too. My job is to get on base for the guys behind me."
Reyes has been out since straining his left hamstring on July 2, and the Mets went 6-6 without their electrifying catalyst. New York has lost three of four since the All-Star break.
The Mets offered a special $7 ticket for Tuesday's game in honor of No. 7's return, and fans let out a big cheer when Reyes ran onto the field about 30 minutes before gametime.
Reyes flied out to left in his first at-bat.
Having watched his team struggle at the plate the last two games, Mets manager Terry Collins was eager to see his star at the top of his lineup.
"It's a huge plus for us," Collins said. "It's a boost of energy."
Leading the majors with a .354 average and 15 triples, Reyes was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, the mildest form, and he went on the disabled list five days after being hurt.
Being overly cautious with Reyes because of his history of leg injuries, the Mets didn't reinstate him when he was eligible Monday. Instead, they had him play a rehabilitation game for Class-A Brooklyn to test the leg.
He doubled in three at-bats and played six innings at shortstop.
Collins said he would monitor his speedster throughout Tuesday's game, especially with temperatures in the high 80s-low 90s.
"I don't think there's any question that at times I will be holding my breath," Collins said. "If he hits the ball in the gap, I'll be holding my breath."
In the final season of his contract, Reyes is having an MVP-caliber season and he led the surprising Mets to the fringe of wild-card contention before getting hurt.
He returns at a crucial period for the ballclub, one in which general manager Sandy Alderson has said will determine how active the Mets will be as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches. Reyes could be one of the players to move, though it's unlikely.
With diminished revenue and a $1 billion lawsuit pending in the Bernard Madoff scandal, the Mets might not be able to afford the 28-year-old Reyes, their most popular and best player. Reyes can become a free agent after this season.
But Reyes said the possibility of being traded — or seeing teammates go — doesn't affect him.
"I don't put pressure on myself," Reyes said. "I need to do my job and get on base and do the job I did in the first half."
Beltran said he lost five pounds over the past three days in which he had a fever that reached 105 degrees. He received intravenous fluids on Sunday and was feeling better Monday night, available to pinch-hit.
He took early batting practice and was satisfied with the results despite still being congested.
"I feel pretty good," he said. "Fell the ball has been going off the bat good."
He hit his 29th double in the first inning Tuesday.
Also, catcher Josh Thole was put on the paternity leave list to be with his wife, who is due to give birth. Mike Nickeas was supposed to join the team from Triple-A Buffalo but couldn't make it in time Tuesday, leaving the Mets with just Ronny Paulino at catcher.
Ike Davis, meanwhile, told a group of Long Island campers earlier Tuesday that he was resigned to not playing this season because of his injured ankle.
When told of Davis' comments, Collins appeared upset saying, "I'm surprised he would say something like that."
Davis later told reporters, "I'm not throwing in the towel. In three weeks if I'm not healthy, I'm not playing this year."
Davis injured his ankle in a collision with teammate David Wright on May 10 and had a cortisone shot last week. He will have season-ending surgery if the shot doesn't give him enough relief to play.
-- Howie Rumberg
Phillies' Halladay expects to make next start
CHICAGO (AP) — Phillies All-Star Roy Halladay expects to make his next scheduled start after leaving Monday's 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs because of the steamy conditions.
Halladay had to leave after Starlin Castro led off the fifth with a single. The right-hander bent over, drawing a visit from a trainer, and departed with the Cubs leading 3-1.
Halladay tried to stay hydrated. He used iced towels and changed his shirt, but he simply couldn't continue after Castro's hit. He said he had never experienced anything like that, but was feeling "a lot" better Tuesday and thought he would able to make his scheduled start against San Diego on Sunday.
"I felt like I could get through it," Halladay said. "That last inning, there was a point where I was about to get wheeled off. ... It seemed like in between innings, I couldn't get away from it. It's almost as hot in here (the dugout) as it is out there. You can't escape it."
Halladay said he's pitched in hotter weather, but this time, the heat and humidity got the best of him. He wasn't sure why, exactly. Nor was manager Charlie Manuel or pitching coach Rich Dubee.
"He was still drinking a lot of fluids and stuff," Manuel said. "He got to the place where he was having trouble breathing so we felt we've got to get him. He was really, really hot."
Dubee said: "What happened yesterday to Roy, I can't explain it. He takes as good a care of himself as anybody I've ever seen as far as staying hydrated and all that stuff."
The Phillies also got good news about Roy Oswalt, who threw nearly 50 pitches in a pain-free bullpen session on Tuesday. He hopes to return from lower back inflammation early next month.
"I feel great," said Oswalt, who's been on the DL twice this season because of the back problem.
Oswalt expects to throw another bullpen session on Friday and probably make two minor league rehab appearances before returning.
He said he had a painkilling injection in late April and another right before the All-Star break that was more effective.
-- Andrew Seligman
McKeon move is 'disappointing' to Marlins reliever
MIAMI (AP) — Manager Jack McKeon has the Florida Marlins winning with the help of some unorthodox moves, and the latest one left reliever Randy Choate miffed.
McKeon stopped by Choate's locker before Tuesday night's game to discuss the matter, and they agreed to disagree.
"It's disappointing," Choate said. "But it's his prerogative and his call. He's the manager and I'm the player."
Choate was surprised to be lifted in the ninth inning of Monday's game against the New York Mets with a count of 2-0 against Lucas Duda. It's the second time McKeon has yanked Choate in the middle of an at-bat.
The veteran left-hander came in to start the inning with Florida leading 4-0. He gave up a single, retired a batter and allowed a walk before falling behind Duda.
McKeon then changed pitchers even though he had a lefty-against-lefty matchup, and left-handed hitters were batting .107 (6 for 56) against Choate this season.
"I told him I felt I had a little bit of a track record here this year and deserved the chance," Choate said. "I just don't want to feel like I have to look over my shoulder if I go two balls and no strikes to a lefty."
McKeon said he changed pitchers because he thought Choate was out of sync.
"I understand the guy would be disappointed, but you've got to understand my case: I'm interested in winning," McKeon said. "I thought that was the right move. It's nothing personal. I just had the feeling — this is the move I have to make. And it worked."
Leo Nunez relieved Choate and earned a save by closing out a 4-1 win. That improved the Marlins' record to 15-9 since McKeon took over with the team in a severe June swoon.
Even with the turnaround, some of McKeon's moves have caused a stir in the clubhouse. He gave starter Chris Volstad a quick hook in a win Sunday, and to save the rest of the bullpen, he let reliever Brian Sanches endure a drubbing in a lopsided loss.
"I'm trying to emphasize how to win," McKeon said. "Leave your egos at the door. That's No. 1."
-- Steven Wine
Cards' Theriot suspended two games for spat with umpire
NEW YORK (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Ryan Theriot was suspended for two games and fined for making contact with an umpire during an argument Sunday.
Theriot appealed the ban and was in the lineup for the opener of a three-game series against the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Joe Garagiola Jr., the senior vice president of standards and on-field operations for Major League Baseball, made the announcement.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had Theriot in the batting order before the decision to appeal was made.
"I think there was contact made so that's not surprising, but I think he is going to appeal because it was accidental," La Russa said. "I think it was just his cap making contact, which happens sometimes but is not the same as putting your chest or arms on someone."
During the sixth inning on Sunday, Theriot was involved in a play at second base that pulled him off the bag, resulting in a safe call for the runner by umpire Mike Muchlinski. Theriot ran to Muchlinski and pointed in his face while screaming. Theriot made contact with the umpire, who quickly ejected him, and first base umpire Chris Guccione had to step between the two.
Brewers ask fans what they love about Miller Park
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Miller Park by asking fans what they love about it. Officials want fans to share photos of themselves with family or friends and in 100 words or less describe their favorite reasons to come Miller Park. Entry into the contest runs through July 29.
The Brewers will select six finalists and host an online vote the first week of August to determine the Grand Prize winner who'll receive two 20-game ticket packages in the Loge Outfield Box next season.
The five other finalists will be awarded another prize that includes things like game tickets, autographed jerseys or a $100 shopping spree to the Brewers team store when the winner is announced Aug. 8.
Diamondbacks release RHP Heilman, recall Enright
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks have released right-handed reliever Aaron Heilman to make room on the roster for Tuesday night's starter Barry Enright.
Heilman was 4-1 with a 6.88 ERA in 32 games with Arizona. The right-handed Enright was recalled from Triple-A Reno to make the start against Milwaukee after struggling left-hander Zach Duke was demoted to the bullpen.
The 25-year-old Enright opened the season in the Arizona rotation but was sent down after going 1-3 with a 6.49 ERA in six starts. At Reno, Enright was 8-2 with a 4.29 ERA in 12 appearances. Enright is 7-10 with a 4.58 ERA in parts of two seasons with the Diamondbacks.
Phillies activate Victorino from disabled list
CHICAGO (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have activated Shane Victorino for their game against the Chicago Cubs. The center fielder will be batting fifth in the Phillies' lineup for Tuesday night's game, his first since being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right thumb.
To make room for Victorino on the roster, the Phillies optioned infielder Pete Orr to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.
Related NL Minor League News
Reds minor leaguer fails test, suspended 50 games
NEW YORK (AP) — A minor league pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization has been suspended 50 games after a second violation of baseball's drug policy.
Right-hander Daniel Tuttle's suspension is effective immediately, the office of Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday. It is unknown what substance caused the violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, but MLB said it was a "drug of abuse."
Tuttle made five appearances, including three starts, for the Reds in the rookie Arizona League, going 3-1 with a 3.91 ERA. He also has started 11 games this season for Dayton in the Class A Midwest League, compiling a 4-3 record with a 4.87 ERA.
