Baseball Capsules: Rodriguez fans career-high 11, Astros beat Rockies

DENVER - Michael Bourn can't remember ever stealing home before.

Sure, he's wanted to. Even studied the tendencies of catchers just in case the opportunity ever arose.

Finally, his chance came Thursday. Bourn took off on a double steal and became the latest player to swipe home, leading the Houston Astros to a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies.

He joined Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury and Philadelphia's Jayson Werth as players who have stolen home this season - although those two pulled off straight steals.

Bourn's came on a double steal as Carlos Lee took off from first, drawing a throw from Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba down to second. As soon as Torrealba released the ball, Bourn bolted for the plate and scored easily.

"I knew if he was throwing through I was going," said Bourn, one of baseball's fastest runners.

The Rockies took a gamble on trying to nab the much-slower Lee, who homered later in the game. But the All-Star outfielder beat the throw with a nifty slide into second.

"He can steal a few bases," Bourn said. "That's how he gets you, he'll lull you to sleep and he's gone."

Wandy Rodriguez certainly lulled the Rockies' hitters to sleep, striking out a career-high 11. It was the most strikeouts for a Houston left-hander since Randy Johnson fanned 12 on Sept. 18, 1998, at Pittsburgh.

"He was sharp," said Garrett Atkins, hitless in 25 at-bats before an RBI single in the fourth for Colorado. "Obviously, he's thrown the ball well all year and today was not much different."

However, manager Cecil Cooper didn't even think Rodriguez (4-2) had his best stuff.

"I think he's looked better," Cooper said. "Today, maybe not quite as sharp as he's been in the past, but he knows how to make pitches."

Despite allowing just two earned runs in seven innings, the left-hander saw his ERA climb slightly to 1.90 - still among the lowest in the majors.

"I felt strong," Rodriguez said through a translator. "I felt very good."

Bourn felt confident at the plate, tying a career high with four hits and finishing with two stolen bases.

His decision to swipe home was made in a split second.

"I (saw) it out of his hand," Bourn said. "I was going."

Ellsbury stole home by taking off while Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte was in the windup, while Werth darted home on a return throw to the mound by Dodgers catcher Russell Martin.

Those type of thefts are much more rare than Bourn's way.

"I can probably get that done," Bourn said of a straight steal of home. "It hasn't happened yet."

Ever?

Not in Little League or the minors?

"Not that I remember," he said.

The Rockies committed three errors behind starter Jason Hammel, who gave up four runs - one earned - in 5 1-3 innings. Hammel (0-2) is still searching for his first win with Colorado since being acquired from Tampa Bay on April 5.

"The kid went out there and pitched today and gave us a chance to win," manager Clint Hurdle said.

The Astros took advantage of two errors by Atkins at third base to score three times in the first inning. Pence hit an RBI single with two outs.

"You're going to get knocked down in this game," said Hurdle, whose team finished 3-5 on its recent homestand. "Your ability to get back up, recover, is what's critical, and that's where we are right now. We've got to find a way to get up and get going."

Notes: Lee homered in the eighth, giving him seven this season. ... Houston C Ivan Rodriguez had the bat fly out of his hands on a strikeout in the first inning, his lumber landing six rows up in the stands. Fans were able to scurry out of the way of the twirling bat. ... Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki was out of the lineup as a precaution, a day after he was hit on the left elbow by a pitch from Alberto Arias. He said he should be available Friday night in Pittsburgh. ... Rockies 1B Todd Helton had two hits and is three shy of 2,000.

Astros place Geary on 15-day DL, recall Fulchino

DENVER - The Houston Astros placed right-handed reliever Geoff Geary on the 15-day disabled list with right biceps tendinitis and recalled right-hander Jeff Fulchino from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Geary, who was 1-3 with an 8.10 ERA in 16 games, allowed five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning in Houston's 15-11 win over Colorado on Wednesday.

Fulchino has allowed 10 hits and has a 5.91 ERA in eight games for the Astros. This will be his third stint with them this season. He was expected to join the team in Colorado before the Astros head to Chicago for a series against the Cubs.

Davis' homer gives Texas 3-2 win over Seattle 

ARLINGTON - Matt Harrison walked off the mound after 102 pitches with another complete game, though his shutout streak was over and the Rangers still hadn't scored.

A few batters later, the left-hander was leaping over the dugout railing with the rest of his teammates to celebrate Texas' latest victory in its final at-bat.

Chris Davis hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth after Hank Blalock led off the inning against closer Brandon Morrow (0-3) with his 10th homer, and the Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

"We're waiting a little bit too long to get the bats going, but we got them going just in time," Ian Kinsler said. "The way Matt threw the ball, it was just incredible. We feel great for him."

Harrison (4-2) threw a five-hitter to win his fourth consecutive start. He retired 16 of the last 18 batters after Seattle scored twice in the fourth to end his scoreless innings streak at 22 in a row.

"It was great that Chris did it but I was more happy for (Harrison), because Harry hung in there, kept us in there," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

Harrison struck out seven with no walks in his second complete game in a week, the third of his career. He had a four-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox last Friday.

It was the 13th victory for Harrison in 22 major league games, the most for a left-hander starting a career since Vean Gregg won 16 of his first 22 games for Cleveland in 1911.

The AL West-leading Rangers (20-14) got their 10th win in 12 games to reach six games over .500, matching their best mark in Washington's three seasons.

Felix Hernandez pitched seven shutout innings for Seattle and David Aardsma had a 1-2-3 eighth against the top of the Texas order. Morrow has seven saves and hadn't blown a chance until Wednesday night, when Blalock hit a two-run double with one out in the 11th for a 6-5 victory.

"It was a tough two days. We should have won the series, but because of two-thirds of an inning ... it's tough to swallow," Morrow said. "I've got to start mixing pitches. I'm acting like a pitching machine out there."

Blalock struck out all three times against Hernandez, but hit a full-count pitch off Morrow into the second deck of right-field stands. David Murphy had a two-out double before Davis homered to center.

"It's unfortunate to give it up like that," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "There's nobody on this planet who feels worse than Brandon right now. It's part of the learning curve."

Harrison hadn't given up a run since April 27 at Baltimore, when the Orioles scored four times in the first two innings. He finished that game with five scoreless innings, then didn't allow runs in consecutive appearances against the White Sox.

Jose Lopez led off the Seattle fourth with a single and moved to third on Adrian Beltre's double. Russell Branyan drove home a run with a groundout before Wladimir Balentien had an RBI double.

"I can't say I didn't get kind of mad when it happened and I gave up the run," Harrison said. "I made an adjustment early enough to hold them off the rest of the game."

Harrison's 22-inning scoreless streak matched the one Hernandez had earlier this year, which was two innings shy of the major league season high set by Kansas City's Zack Greinke.

But Hernandez allowed 12 runs over 10 innings in his previous two starts. Texas scored six runs in six innings against him last week to end his scoreless streak.

After Michael Young singled and Josh Hamilton walked in the first, Hernandez retired 15 of the next 16 batters until Young singled again in the sixth. The right-hander left after 110 pitches with six strikeouts.

"Felix pitched outstanding," Wakamatsu said. "It was what we were looking for."

Notes: Harrison's scoreless streak was the longest for a Texas pitcher since Kenny Rogers tossed 31 consecutive shutout innings in 2005. ... The Mariners finished a 1-7 road trip. They play their next 10 games at home. ... The last time Texas won consecutive games in its final at-bat was May 5-6, 2000.

-- Stephen Hawkins

Rangers closer Francisco playing catch

ARLINGTON - Rangers closer Frank Francisco played catch from about 60 feet Thursday, and will have another throwing session before getting back on a mound.

Francisco is still tied for the AL lead with nine saves, even though he hasn't pitched since May 6 because of right biceps tendinitis.

"The general sentiment is he's feeling good, let's play it safe on the front end rather than pushing him and being regretful afterward," general manager Jon Daniels said.

Daniels said Francisco will throw long toss Friday. If the right-hander feels good coming out of that, he will likely throw a bullpen session Saturday.

If there are any setbacks, the Rangers can still put Francisco on the disabled list and make the move retroactive if they do it by Sunday.

Francisco hasn't allowed an earned run his last 25 appearances, including 14 2-3 innings in 14 games this season.

C.J. Wilson, who had 24 saves last season, is handling the closer's role in his place.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Yankees change batting practice rules for fans

NEW YORK - The New York Yankees will allow fans to move down to the outer reaches of the lower deck during batting practice so they can get a better view.

Fans with tickets for seats elsewhere in the new Yankee Stadium can move into outfield sections and corners of the field-level stands during batting practice, a change in policy the team said it made in reaction to fan desires.

Fans will be allowed to watch BP from sections 103-111 in right field and down the first-base line, and sections 129-136 in left field and down the third-base line starting with the homestand that begins Friday. Those sections start just after the foul lines reach the warning track.

Fans also may watch from the bleachers. The Yankees said fans can enter those areas when the gates open three hours before game time. They can stay there until after the Yankees leave the field following BP or for 1 hour, 45 minutes after the gates open.

However, fans won't be allowed into the Legends Suite, the 25 sections of the first nine rows ringing the infield, unless they have tickets for seats there, which cost $500-$2,625 per game.

"Fans have expressed a desire to be able to get down and catch foul balls or ask for autographs," Yankees spokeswoman Alice McGillion said. "So we looked at the policy, looked at the policy in the old stadium and liberalized it even more, so anyone with a ticket in the stadium can actually go to those sections."

At the old Yankee Stadium, McGillion said only fans with field-level tickets were allowed close to the field during batting practice.

McGillion said players will be encouraged to go into the corners and outfield, beyond the Legends Suite, to sign autographs for fans watching BP.

"Players naturally interact with fans, and players seem to enjoy that," she said.

The change was posted Thursday on the team's Web site.

On Tuesday, Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said no changes were planned to allow fans with tickets in other parts of the stadium from getting into the Legends Suite during BP.

"If you purchase a suite, do you want somebody in your suite?" Trost said then. "If you purchase a home, do you want somebody in your home?"

-- Ronald Blum

Bills' Edwards, Evans take BP before Yanks-Jays

TORONTO - Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards and receiver Lee Evans took batting practice at Rogers Centre before Thursday's game between the Blue Jays and Yankees.

Edwards cleared the fence twice during his session while Evans managed a number of line drives.

"I wasn't surprised," Edwards said. "I played a lot when I was growing up. I played wiffle ball with my mom in the front yard, so that helps. This is obviously a little different, but the pitcher did a great job. It's all about pitching and finding the sweet spot on the bat."

Evans joked that his offensive game was based more on stealing bases.

"I've never been a strong hitter, I just use my speed and be an athlete out here," Evans said.

The players batted wearing Blue Jays jerseys with their football numbers on the back. Edwards threw the first pitch to Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells.

Edwards said taking batting practice gave him a new appreciation for the rigors baseball players face.

"That was tough," he said. "I got tired after just 10 swings in there. I can't imagine doing that every day. I've got some groin issues right now, I've got a little blister on my hand and muscles in my body I never knew I could hurt."

Edwards and Evans will be back at Rogers Centre on Dec. 3 for a Thursday night game against the New York Jets, the second of five regular season games to be held at the stadium.

Buffalo lost 16-3 to Miami last Dec. 7 in Toronto.

After a 5-1 start, Buffalo finished last in the AFC East at 7-9, but Edwards is expecting better this year after the Bills added receiver Terrell Owens in the offseason. Mandatory team activities are set to begin Monday.

"I'm excited about the guys we brought in, I'm excited about our draft guys," Edwards said. "I'm anxious for the season to get started here."

Former Yankee Jim Leyritz fails Breathlyzer test

DAVIE, Fla. - Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz who is facing trial on DUI manslaughter charges was taken to a Florida hospital after telling police he was concerned about failing a Breathalyzer test in his car, and was "under a lot of stress" because of his legal problems, authorities said Thursday.

Davie police spokesman Bill Coyne said Leyritz had blown into the Breathalyzer device in his car Wednesday in an attempt to start the vehicle, but the device indicated he had been drinking. Leyritz tried a second time and the device read he had not been drinking. A court ordered the device for Leyritz's car to monitor him for alcohol when he's behind the wheel. He must blow in it to start the car, and periodically while driving.

Leyritz told police he was not drinking, and officers noted in the report that there was no evidence of alcohol or drug use. A urine sample was also taken. If the test comes back positive, it would be a violation of his bail conditions.

The 45-year-old former catcher and designated hitter faces a trial in Fort Lauderdale in a December 2007 crash that killed a woman.

Leyritz's attorney J. David Bogenschutz said his client did everything he was supposed to do Wednesday night. Leyritz hadn't been drinking and when there was a problem with the vehicle's interlock device, Leyritz immediately went to his probation office to take a urine test and prove he hadn't been drinking, Bogenschutz said.

The Fort Lauderdale defense attorney said he's talked with the prosecutor in Leyritz's case, and the two are planning to speak with the judge Friday.

Leyritz played for six teams and last was in the majors in 2000 with the Dodgers. He won the World Series with the Yankees in 1996 and 1999.

Authorities said in February that the car device had recorded that Leyritz had blown into it after consuming alcohol four times since it was installed in April 2008.

Coyne says a friend of Leyritz's called Wednesday evening to have officers check on him at his home in Davie, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The caller said she was concerned about his well-being.

Leyritz told police he was having trouble sleeping, was anxious and may need medical attention.

Leyritz was released from a psychiatric unit at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., Thursday afternoon, his ex-wife, Karri Leyritz told The New York Post.

Bedard likely to miss next start

ARLINGTON - Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard will likely miss his next scheduled start Saturday night in Boston.

Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said Thursday that Bedard is a probable scratch because of a tight right hamstring. Wakamatsu said he should be able to make a decision on Friday.

Bedard threw a season-high 110 pitches in a season-low 4 2-3 innings Sunday at Minnesota. He is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA.

Wakamatsu said the Mariners would likely fill his spot in the rotation from the current staff. Left-hander Garrett Olson, who has a 2.57 ERA, is among the possibilities.

Tigers put LHP Robertson on DL, call up LHP French

MINNEAPOLIS - The Detroit Tigers placed left-handed reliever Nate Robertson on the 15-day disabled list before Thursday's game at Minnesota and called up left-hander Luke French from Triple-A Toledo.

Robertston was put on the DL retroactive to May 6 with a muscle strain in his lower back.

Manager Jim Leyland said Robertson hurt his back while doing squats after a game at Cleveland last weekend and likely won't be ready for at least another seven or eight days.

Had the team known the injury was that serious, Leyland said, right-hander Juan Rincon probably would have stuck around a little longer. He was designated for assignment to make room for starter Dontrelle Willis, who came off the disabled list this week.

After four-plus seasons as a fixture in Detroit's rotation, Robertson has languished in the bullpen. He has a 6.30 ERA in 10 innings this season, with six walks and seven strikeouts.

French was in uniform for the first time in the majors. He went 2-2 in six starts with a 2.91 ERA and 29 strikeouts for the Mud Hens. The 23-year-old was an eighth-round draft pick in 2004.

"We need a long lefty desperately," Leyland said. "He was starting in Toledo, so he'd fit in that role."

Tigers catcher Sardinha leaves game in 7th

MINNEAPOLIS - Detroit catcher Dane Sardinha left the game against Minnesota on Thursday with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

After Minnesota's Joe Mauer grounded into a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning, a team trainer and Tigers manager Jim Leyland came out of the dugout to check on Sardinha.

The trainer appeared to be examining Sardinha's right hand, but no immediate injury update was available.

Gerald Laird replaced Sardinha, who was 0 for 3 at the plate.

Twins' Gardenhire ejected from Tigers game

MINNEAPOLIS - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the seventh inning of their series finale Thursday against Detroit by plate umpire Paul Nauert.

Gardenhire came out to argue after Twins batter Michael Cuddyer said he was hit on the sleeve by a pitch from reliever Zach Miner. Nauert ruled that the pitch did not hit Cuddyer.

Gardenhire came out and vehemently argued for a few moments before Nauert finally gave him the boot. Replays showed the ball was not close to hitting Cuddyer.

It is Gardenhire's first ejection of the season and 42nd of his managerial career.

Umpire apologizes for making contact with Ordonez

MINNEAPOLIS - Umpire Paul Schrieber has apologized for making contact with Detroit Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez during a confrontation Wednesday night.

In the seventh inning against Minnesota, Schreiber called Ordonez out on strikes. Ordonez argued that the pitch was low. As Schrieber spoke to him, the umpire placed his hand on Ordonez's back and steered him toward the dugout.

Schrieber read a brief statement before the Tigers-Twins series finale on Thursday. He said he "should not have placed my hands on him, period. For doing so, I apologize to both Magglio Ordonez and the Detroit Tigers."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland was ejected for coming to Ordonez's defense. Before the game Thursday, Leyland and Ordonez said they did not think Schrieber's act had malicious intent.

-- Jon Krawczynski

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Tulowitzki out after getting hit on elbow

DENVER - Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was out of the lineup Thursday afternoon against Houston, one day after getting hit on the elbow by a pitch.

Tulowitzki was hit in the left elbow by Houston pitcher Alberto Arias in the seventh inning of the Astros' 15-11 win Wednesday night. He left the game feeling numbness in his left hand.

"I didn't know what happened," said Tulowitzki, who's hitting .240 with five homers in 31 games. "My fingers went numb and that was a little scary. Everybody thought I got hit in my hand because I was grabbing my fingers. It hit a nerve and ran down to my pinkie finger."

Clint Barmes started in his place for the series finale against Houston.

Tulowitzki said he should be back for the start of Colorado's series Friday night at Pittsburgh. He said feeling had returned to his fingers by Thursday morning but the Rockies wanted to keep him out of the lineup as a precaution.

"I'm feeling better than I thought," Tulowitzki said. "It's a little sore. I'm not in there today, but I'm pretty sure I'll be in there tomorrow."

Tulowitzki left Sunday's game with a left quadriceps strain but was able to play Tuesday. He missed 46 games in 2008 after suffering a left quadriceps tear on April 29.

"Just give him a little rest and if he's feeling better tomorrow we'll revisit it," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "The trainer actually thought it would be longer than this, but he's encouraged by how he's feeling today."

Putz has elbow inflammation; Delgado has bone spur

NEW YORK - The New York Mets opened a 10-game trip without reliever J.J. Putz, who had a cortisone shot to alleviate inflammation in his right elbow, and are increasingly concerned about ailing first baseman Carlos Delgado.

Putz received the injection Thursday in New York and then joined the team for the series opener in San Francisco.

"He should be available after two days," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.

In his first season with the Mets, Putz gave up runs against Atlanta both Tuesday and Wednesday. That lifted his ERA to 4.05.

-- Ronald Blum