Baseball Capsules: Jeter and hit record top tune in the Bronx
NEW YORK — Winning streaks and World Series titles. Those are the only things Derek Jeter ever talks about chasing, the only achievements he seems comfortable celebrating.
And for most of his career, Jeter has been lauded mainly for those sort of selfless attributes. He’s the guy who makes the clutch play, who’s always in the right spot, who leads in the clubhouse, who rises to the occasion under pressure in October.
It’s never been about the numbers with Jeter. It’s always been his intangibles.
Well, now the captain is on the cusp of a stat that certainly stands out: most hits in a New York Yankees uniform.
Jeter tied Lou Gehrig for the team record Wednesday night, getting three hits against Tampa Bay for a career total of 2,721. It was a mark the Hall of Famer held by himself for more than seven decades.
"Hard to believe," Jeter said. "My whole career I’ve only cared about one thing and that’s trying to help us win. I think if you play long enough and you are consistent enough, that great things are going to happen. I’ve been told to enjoy these things while they are going. It’s still kind of hard."
Of course, all the fuss about this record has less to do with the number involved than it does with the Yankees greats Jeter caught along the way: Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and now Gehrig.
In fact, 16 of the 30 major league teams boast a franchise hits record that tops 2,721. Though the Yankees are the most successful squad in baseball history, several stars have had abbreviated careers due to war, illness or injury.
Still, to many, Jeter’s latest feat is a well-deserved testament to everything he’s represented during 14 marvelous seasons in pinstripes.
"All the players that came through here and he’s going to be the only one with 3,000 hits," longtime teammate and close pal Jorge Posada said. "That tells you right there."
With his lithe build and inside-out swing, Jeter has never been a power hitter. He doesn’t hammer out home runs like Ruth and Mantle or pile up RBIs like Gehrig and DiMaggio.
So, despite a .317 career batting average, detractors say Jeter is overrated. The big offensive numbers are missing. Perhaps he has four World Series rings and 12 playoff appearances mostly because the players around him have been great, not because Jeter is.
But Jeter’s job at the top of the lineup is to get on base for the boppers behind him. Hit line drives, draw walks and score runs.
He’s done it all splendidly since taking over at shortstop in 1996, and that’s how he reached this milestone.
"It means a lot," Jeter said. "I try to be consistent year in and year out. I think this is the only way you are able to attain some of these records or have your name next to some of these guys. I take a lot of pride in that."
The Yankees were off Thursday, holding up history. Jeter’s next chance to take sole possession of the record comes Friday night at home against Baltimore.
The 10-time All-Star did have an opportunity to pass Gehrig on Wednesday night, but he walked against reliever Grant Balfour in the eighth inning.
"When he came up his last at-bat, everyone jumped up in the dugout," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "You can see how much he’s adored by his teammates."
Waiting another day is not what the 35-year-old Jeter had in mind.
Always reluctant to talk about personal performance, his pursuit of Gehrig has been no different — except for that 0-for-12 slump he snapped with a bunt single on the first pitch he saw Wednesday.
Even though his family has encouraged him to appreciate these individual milestones the past few years, Jeter would rather answer questions about the solid pitching staff that’s helped the streaking Yankees build the major leagues’ best record this season.
"He works hard, he plays the game the right way, he’s done things the right way and it’s just awesome to see him being able to accomplish this," teammate Andy Pettitte said. "It couldn’t happen to a better person.
"I know he isn’t too crazy about the spotlight, but he ought to be proud. He ought to enjoy it and he ought to feel awfully, awfully good about what he’s done."
Indeed, Jeter acknowledged it would have been much more difficult to enjoy his record-tying hit Wednesday night if the Yankees hadn’t rallied for a 4-2 victory.
Posada’s three-run homer in the eighth inning, a pinch-hit shot, made it a perfect night.
"These are the things that you are going to remember for the rest of your life. I was real happy for Jorge and I will definitely remember that tonight, when I was able to tie this record, that he hit a big home run," Jeter said. "We had so many special moments across the street. Hopefully this is the first of many memorable moments here at the new stadium."
Royals’ struggles hurt Greinke’s Cy Young chances
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Zack Greinke has a glittering 2.22 ERA in 28 starts, a stretch of excellence that would make him a leading Cy Young Award contender on just about any team other than the stumbling Kansas City Royals.
The wiry right-hander also ranks among the league leaders in several other categories, including an AL-best three shutouts.
But shackled to an erratic defense and a dreadful bullpen, and hobbled by the AL’s most doddering offense, Greinke has only 13 wins going into Friday night’s start in Cleveland.
No starter in a non-strike season since 1967 has won the AL Cy Young Award without at least 16, a discouraging trend for Greinke and an organization desperately in need of something good to happen.
As Kansas City limps toward the finish of what could be its fifth 100-loss season in eight years, Greinke has perhaps five starts left, and the Royals are worried their losing ways could cost their best player his profession’s greatest honor.
"He can’t control the wins and losses," third baseman Mark Teahen said. "That’s on us. Anybody who has seen him pitch knows he’s the best. I hope we can do a good job for him the rest of he way because we would love to see Zack get the Cy Young. We’ll feel bad if he doesn’t."
Entering Friday’s games, the only other ERA in the American League under 3.00 belonged to Felix Hernandez of Seattle, at 2.61. Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay was at 3.03.
Seven AL pitchers had more wins than Greinke, led by Justin Verlander of Detroit, CC Sabathia of New York and Scott Feldman of Texas, all with 16.
But those three also have ERAs more than a full run higher than Greinke, who has 23 quality starts and six complete games. His 210 strikeouts trail only Verlander’s 230.
"Put Zack on a team like Boston or New York that have scored all those runs and he would probably be sitting on 20 wins right now," Royals pitcher Gil Meche said. "I think wins are irrelevant when you judge somebody’s year. In just about every category a pitcher can control — ERA, strikeouts per inning, hits per inning, walks-to-strikeouts ratio, quality starts — he’s right near the top."
Meche knows as well as any pitcher how deceptive wins and losses can be. He set career bests in 2007 with a 3.67 ERA and 216 innings. But the league’s lowest run support left him with a 9-13 record.
"If you send out a ballot to every clubhouse in the American League and let the players vote, I guarantee you Zack wins," Meche said. "Nobody wants to face him. If he does well in these last four or five starts, as I’m sure he will, it would just be ridiculous if he doesn’t get the Cy Young."
Greinke got off to a great start this year, going 6-0 with a microscopic 0.50 ERA in April. He appears to be finishing with a similar kick, pitching a one-hit shutout in Seattle and setting a team record with 15 strikeouts against Cleveland. But his last start against the Angels was typical of the Royals’ season. He gave up one unearned run in eight innings but got a no-decision when Kansas City lost 2-1 in 11 innings.
Greinke is 13-8 on the year but the Royals are 13-15 in his starts. The 25-year-old Orlando, Fla., native is in danger of joining Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Lefty Grove and 11 others who since 1919 have led their league in ERA and had their teams post losing records in games they started, according to STATS LLC.
Greinke admits the possibility of placing a Cy Young on his mantle does cross his mind from time to time.
"There’s still a long way to go. A lot can happen still," Greinke said. "But, yes, I think about it a little bit. I’m just trying to finish the season by helping everyone finish on a positive note."
If Greinke wins the award, it would take some of the sting out of a dreadful season for an organization that thought it was poised for a long-awaited breakthrough.
"My hope is that they don’t look at the fact that he’s pitching for what right now is a last-place team," manager Trey Hillman said. "I hope they do look at the fact the team he pitches for has the fewest runs in the American League.
"I’m hoping they look at the ERA instead of the wins and losses."
-- Doug Tucker
Meche probably done, Bannister seeks 2nd opinion
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals starter Gil Meche is probably done for the year with a shoulder problem, and fellow right-hander Brian Bannister is flying to New York for a second opinion on his shoulder.
Royals manager Trey Hillman said on Thursday that Meche would most likely be shut down for the final weeks of the season. He declined to speculate on whether Bannister would need surgery.
The Royals did not disclose the exact nature of the problems.
Meche is 6-10 with a 5.09 ERA and Bannister is 7-12, 4.73.
-- Doug Tucker
Rays slugger Carlos Pena has surgery on fingers
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay slugger Carlos Pena has had season-ending surgery to repair two broken fingers on his left hand.
The Rays expect a full recovery in eight to 10 weeks.
Pena was injured Monday in New York when he was hit by a pitch from Yankees ace CC Sabathia. Dr. Doug Carlan performed surgery Thursday, inserting pins into the first baseman’s left index and middle fingers.
The Rays said the pins will be removed in four to six weeks. A first-time All-Star this year, Pena leads the AL with 39 homers. He finished with 100 RBIs.
Andrews tells Robertson to rest
NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher David Robertson has been told to rest for 10-14 days by Dr. James Andrews.
Complaining of stiffness in his right elbow, Robertson was examined by Andrews on Thursday in Pensacola, Fla. The right-hander is to begin a throwing program after the rest period.
In other news, the Yankees said catcher Kevin Cash cleared waivers and became a free agent. Cash was waived Saturday to clear a roster spot for pitcher Josh Towers.
National League
Lidge and Manuel meet to discuss closer’s role
WASHINGTON — Brad Lidge and Charlie Manuel had a meeting to discuss the struggling closer’s role with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lidge and Manuel spoke after Wednesday night’s game against Washington. The following day, the manager wouldn’t say if or when Lidge will get his job back as closer.
"We’re really on the same page with everything. We had a good talk," Lidge said.
Lidge converted all 48 of his save chances last year, including the postseason, to help the Phillies win the World Series. This year, he has 10 blown saves in 38 opportunities.
"I see him as a closer," Manuel said.
But with 24 games left in the regular season, he wasn’t promising a specific role. Philadelphia began the day with a six-game lead over Florida in the NL East.
"I don’t see us using him in the seventh or eighth inning," Manuel said. "We might use some time to give him some work."
Manuel would like the luxury of using Lidge in a one-sided game, but those can’t be predicted. Lidge is 0-7 with a 7.11 ERA this season.
"I told him I’ll take the ball when he needs me to," Lidge said. "I feel like I’m very close to where I need to be, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a couple more outings."
Manuel turned to Ryan Madson to close out Wednesday night’s 6-5 win over the Nationals while Lidge stayed in the bullpen.
The previous day, the manager pulled Lidge in the ninth inning after he allowed three of his four batters to reach base. Manuel went to Madson, who bailed out Lidge and the Phillies by nailing down a 5-3 victory.
The manager said he had a simple reason for yanking Lidge in that one.
"I had a bad feeling," Manuel explained.
Despite that, Manuel is convinced Lidge will close again. He just doesn’t know when.
"It’s hard to explain. He definitely hasn’t lost nothing. I’m telling you right now, he definitely can still close," Manuel insisted.
Manuel said he likes having Madson, Lidge and Brett Myers — all with closing experience — in the bullpen.
In other news, reliever Scott Eyre had an MRI on his ailing left elbow. A "loose body" was found in the elbow, Philadelphia assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said.
Proefrock said Eyre wouldn’t throw for several days while options were examined. Eyre is 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA in 39 games.
Missing Eyre and J.C. Romero, who’s been on the 15-day disabled list since July 20 with a strained left forearm, the Phillies are without a proven lefty in the bullpen.
Jamie Moyer, who had been in the ‘pen since Pedro Martinez joined the rotation, will start Saturday due to J.A. Happ’s strained oblique muscle.
The only lefties available in Philadelphia’s bullpen are veteran Jack Taschner, who is 1-1 with a 5.08 ERA in 23 games, and rookie Sergio Escalona, recalled from the minors for the sixth time this season on Wednesday.
Escalona is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in six games.
Tulowitzki out of lineup for third straight game
DENVER — Huston Street doesn’t have to hurry up and heal.
Even with the Colorado Rockies in the middle of a pennant race, the closer has been afforded the luxury of time to rehab his biceps tendinitis.
For that, he credits Franklin Morales, who’s saved five straight since stepping into Street’s ninth-inning role.
"As long as he keeps doing what he’s doing, it makes it easier on me to get right before I come back," said Street, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 1.
That’s been the story for the Rockies lately — someone goes down, someone steps in and picks up the slack.
It was the same thing again Thursday, when the Rockies finished off a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 5-1 win. Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart sat out a third straight game with back stiffness.
No matter, the Rockies went with Clint Barmes at shortstop, Garrett Atkins at third and Eric Young Jr. at second.
Atkins came through with a two-run homer, and Young ignited a rally with a two-out bunt hit.
"When you get these bumps and bruises like we’re dealing with over the last couple of weeks, you’re creating an opportunity for somebody," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "They’re responding to that."
Sure, Street is eager to return to his job. He’s been highly dependable all season, converting 33-of-34 save opportunities.
But Street also doesn’t want to risk aggravating his inflamed biceps tendon. That’s why he and the Rockies are being so cautious.
With Morales pitching so effectively, the team can afford to be more conservative.
"We want to make sure that for the stretch run at the end of the season I’m going to be there," Street said. "That’s the No. 1 goal. We’re not trying to force anything."
Tracy is encouraged by Street’s progress, especially since he reported feeling good after playing catch Wednesday.
"It’s as if something ‘let go’ (in the arm) ... like something had broken up," Tracy said. "It made him feel very, very good. I don’t know what that correlates to when he starts throwing the ball, but we’ll find that out as we go along."
The Rockies lost starter Jose Contreras in the third inning Thursday when he strained his right quadriceps trying to beat out a grounder. He is listed as day to day.
Contreras was filling in for the injured Aaron Cook, who’s out with a right elbow strain.
Now, the team has decided to push back the next start of Ubaldo Jimenez. The hard-throwing right-hander is hampered by a hamstring he tweaked while running the bases Monday.
Colorado is expected to call up righty Esmil Rogers from the minors to start Saturday at San Diego. Jimenez is slated to go Tuesday in San Francisco.
"Could he pitch on Saturday? Yeah, he could," Tracy said of Jimenez. "Would we be taking a little bit of a chance? Yes, I think so. His bullpen (Thursday) went fine. My concern is if you get a quick twitch situation where you have got to go over and cover first base or be involved in a 3-6-1 double play — that burst off the mound.
"I would be feeling really, really bad if we pushed this and something happened and then we end up losing him for the season."
-- Pat Graham
Schumaker switch a success for Cardinals
ST. LOUIS — Second base is feeling more like home to Skip Schumaker.
The 29-year-old hadn’t played the infield since college. Then, second baseman Adam Kennedy was released by the St. Louis Cardinals a week before spring training.
"I think Skip has gotten to the point where we expect him to make plays," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "One of the things he’s always had is a willingness to work, and toughness. And he really has a cannon for an arm, so for the off-balance throw he can get a lot more on it than most second basemen."
Even before the July acquisition of Matt Holliday from Oakland, there was little room for Schumaker in a crowded outfield that included Ryan Ludwick, Colby Rasmus, Rick Ankiel and Chris Duncan. Schumaker’s shift to the infield has allowed La Russa to keep his leadoff hitter in the lineup.
Schumaker is having a successful season at the plate, batting .294 with 32 doubles. On defense, he’s relying on advice from third base coach Jose Oquendo, a former major league middle infielder.
"I’m still learning, still looking at Oquendo almost every pitch to see if he’s thinking about something that maybe I don’t see," Schumaker said. "As soon as it becomes more of a habit, then I’ll feel like maybe I’m a second baseman completely."
Schumaker played a small role on the Cardinals in 2006, when they won the World Series, appearing in 28 games. The team missed the playoffs the following two years, but leads the second-place Chicago Cubs by 11½ games in the NL Central with 3½ weeks to play.
"It’s a thrill for me to have a chance to play in the postseason," Schumaker said. "I can’t wait and, hopefully, it’s going to come through."
La Russa has quit trying to rid Schumaker of his lone bad habit: sliding headfirst at first on close plays. It takes longer to get to the base, making sense only to avoid a throw that is offline .
The way Schumaker is playing, there’s no use quibbling.
"I’m concentrating on what he’s doing right," La Russa said.
-- R.B. Fallstrom
Jose Contreras leaves game with quadriceps injury
DENVER — Colorado Rockies pitcher Jose Contreras has strained his right quadriceps while trying to beat out a grounder in the third inning against Cincinnati.
Contreras attempted to speed up halfway down the line Thursday after Reds shortstop Paul Janish bobbled the ball, but was out by a couple of steps. Soon after stepping on the bag, Contreras began hobbling. A trainer came out to check on him, then escorted Contreras to the dugout.
The right-hander went three innings, allowing one run and four hits.
He was making his second start with the Rockies after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 31 for a minor league pitcher.
Elsewhere
Angels’ Torii Hunter wins Branch Rickey Award
DENVER — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter is the winner of the Branch Rickey Award in recognition of his work with kids in the community.
Created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, the Branch Rickey Award honors individuals in baseball who contribute to their communities and are strong role models for young people.
"It means a lot," Hunter said. "That’s something that you should do, whenever you can. My grandmother always instilled in me to treat people like you should be treated, and if you can do anything to make people’s lives better, you’ve got to do it. That’s part of your responsibility as a human being, and especially as a ballplayer."
Roland Thornton, president of the Rotary Club of Denver, made the announcement Thursday at the Denver Athletic Club.
Each year, major league teams nominate a player, coach or executive, either active or retired, for the award. Last year’s winner was Trevor Hoffman, who left San Diego for Milwaukee this season.
Hunter will be honored at a banquet in Denver on Nov. 14.
Hunter’s community works include the "Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative," which provides college scholarships to students in California, Arkansas, Nevada and Minnesota.
He also is active in the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas and last year helped fund construction of a youth softball field in Placentia, Calif. He has partnered with Major League Baseball to help maintain and improve baseball diamonds in inner cities and is involved with Big Brothers and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
"Even in the minors, I tried to go out and talk to the kids wherever I was," Hunter said. "When they look at a major league baseball player, that’s a major thing in their lives. When they meet a ballplayer who takes time out to shake a hand or sign an autograph or teach them how to play the outfield, it just gives them that boost to go on with their lives. That’s a big thing to a kid.
"I just love the looks on kids’ faces when I go. They get so excited, so happy, and you can see how much it means to them. A lot of these kids don’t have dads. There’s a lot of dads missing in this world, so some of them look up to other men. If you’re in a position to be an example to them, that’s what you’ve got to be."
The award is named in honor of the late baseball executive known for creating the framework for the modern minor league farm system and for breaking baseball’s color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the major leagues.
"Branch Rickey, that’s the man," Hunter said. "He was just as important as Jackie Robinson. People forget that. He got threatened, too. He had to have the courage, and it’s amazing to be a part of that."
-- Arnie Stapleton
MLB Productions names a studio after Harwell
DETROIT — Ernie Harwell says it’s "fantastic" that MLB Productions is naming one of its studios after him.
The Secauscus, N.J.-based company announced Thursday that the studios in which "This Week in Baseball" and other shows it produces will be named after Harwell, Mel Allen and Vin Scully.
Harwell recently told reporters he has inoperable cancer.
The 91-year-old Baseball Hall of Fame honoree and longtime broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers began feeling ill this summer. He had surgery last month for an obstructed bile duct. Doctors found a cancerous tumor and have advised him against further surgery.
Harwell spent 42 of his 55 years as a broadcaster calling Tigers games, from 1960 to 2002, after being a voice of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
NYer pleads guilty to disrupting Braves-Mets game
NEW YORK — A streaker who disrupted a New York Mets game by jumping onto Citi Field naked except for a stuffed monkey tied around his waist is banned from the ballpark for life.
Prosecutors say Craig Coakley of Queens pleaded guilty Thursday to interfering with a sporting event. He must pay a $1,000 fine and $2,000 in civil penalties to the New York Mets. He also has to complete 20 days of community service by Dec. 15.
District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a statement that Coakley’s antics cost him dearly — "perhaps the worse punishment for any true Mets fan."
Coakley was banned from Citi Field for one year in connection with his criminal case but the Mets banned him for life from all their facilities including KeySpan Park in Brooklyn and Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla., according to Brown.
The incident occurred on May 12. The 38-year-old plumber told police afterward that it was a bet; his boss told him he’d pay a week’s salary if he did it.
Coakley faced up to a year in prison. His lawyer says he’s very sorry.
Venezuela rallies to beat U.S. 13-9
REGENSBURG, Germany — Drimo Chavez hit a grand slam in the 11th inning to help Venezuela rally for a 13-9 win over defending champion United States at the baseball World Cup on Thursday.
Venezuela trailed by six runs after four innings but tied the score at 7-7 on a grand slam by Rene Ryes in the seventh.
Chavez homered over the left-field fence to give his team the win.
The tournament, being played through Sept. 27 in seven countries across Europe, features 22 of the world’s top baseball-playing countries — though not all of the best players.
