Interleague Nightmare:

Interleague play mercifully ends for the Reds with the three-game series that begins Friday with the Tribe at Great American Ball Park. "We want to salvage this interleague before we think about leaving it," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "If you think about leaving it, that's kind of conceding what you've got left." The Reds can't salvage their record in interleague play. They are 5-10, and that's after taking two of three games from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Reds are 5-7 against the American League East. The Reds were swept in three games by the Indians on May 20-22. The series with the Indians leads into a crucial seven-game stretch leading to the All-Star Break. The Reds go to St. Louis for the first of three on July 4. After St. Louis, the Reds play a four-game series against the Milwaukee, which leads into the break. "We have 10 days to go," Baker said. "We'll try to win as many games as we can before the break. I always tell my guys: This is like basketball right before the first half ends. You can get a quick 3-pointer, steal in-bounds pass, have the layup." The Reds have played well against Milwaukee and St. Louis. They are 5-1 against Milwaukee and 4-2 versus St. Louis.

(All quotes courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer)

Pitching Matchups:

Fri. July 1 at Cincinnati (7:10PM ET, WTAM, STO)

RHP Justin Masterson (5-6, 2.98) vs. RHP Bronson Arroyo (7-6, 5.01)

Sat. July 2 at Cincinnati (4:11PM ET, WTAM, FOX)

RHP Fausto Carmona (4-10, 5.89) vs. RHP Homer Bailey (3-2, 3.86)

Sun. July 3 at Cincinnati (1:10PM ET, WTAM STO)

RHP Mitch Talbot (2-4, 4.96) vs. RHP Mike Leake (7-4, 3.89)

Reds News/Notes:

• RHP Bronson Arroyo goes after his fourth consecutive victory Friday. He hasn't pitched lights out, compiling a 4.09 ERA in his past three starts. But he was 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA in June.

• RHP Brian Boxberger retired the only two batters he faced in the his debut at Class AAA Louisville. Boxberger, the Reds' supplemental first-round pick in 2009, had a 1.31 ERA over 30 appearances at Class AA Carolina.

• RHP Johnny Cueto will face RHP Chris Carpenter in the series opener in St. Louis on Monday. Cueto and Carpenter were principles in the brawl in August of last year.

• SS Zack Cozart, C Devin Mesoraco, OF Jeremy Hermida and OF/1B Yonder Alonso all made the International League All-Star team for Class AAA Louisville.

• RF Jay Bruce struck out in all four at-bats Wednesday. Bruce, the NL player of the month in May, finished June in a 2-for-17 skid with nine strikeouts.

Reds Injury Watch:

• C Ryan Hanigan (strained lat muscle) did not play June 26-28. He was back in the lineup June 29.

• LHP Matt Maloney (cracked rib) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 24. He hurt himself while sneezing.

• RHP Jared Burton (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 29. He suffered a setback in early April, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 18. He underwent arthroscopic surgery April 22, and hoped to return by July.

* Series Roster Note:

The Indians have promoted Lonnie Chisenhall from Class AAA Columbus. Chisenhall will make his big league debut tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting at third base and batting seventh.

To make room for Chisenhall, infielder Adam Everett was designated for assignment. Chisenhall, the Indians' first-round draft pick in 2008, was just named the International League Player of the Week. He went 9-for-21 with two homers and 14 RBI in five games since coming off the disabled list for a concussion at Columbus.

Series Summary:

They entered Sunday trailing the first-place Giants in the NL West by a half-game. Kennedy and Hudson give them a great 1-2 punch in the rotation. Chris Young is their leader in homers and RBI.

Pitching matchups:

RHP Mitch Talbot (2-4, 4.91) vs. Ian Kennedy (8-2, 2.90) Tonight at 9:40 ET

RHP Josh Tomlin (9-4, 3.95) vs. RHP Daniel Hudson (9-5, 3.58) Tuesday at 9:40 p.m. ET

RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-4, 3.62) vs. LHP Zack Duke (1-2, 5.73) Wednesday at 3:40 p.m. ET.

Diamondbacks Injury Watch:

• 3B Melvin Mora (back) was a late scratch from the June 26 game.

• RHP Juan Gutierrez (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list May 25. An MRI found rotator cuff irritation but no tears. He threw a bullpen session June 17.

• RHP Sam Demel (right shoulder tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 22. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Reno on June 24, and he could be activated during the week of June 27-July 3.

• INF Geoff Blum (sore right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. Blum underwent successful arthroscopic surgery April 26.

Diamondbacks News/Notes:

• INF/OF Willie Bloomquist stole second base in the sixth inning Sunday, his eighth stolen base of the season but his first since April 15. Bloomquist was the first in the majors to three, four, five and six stolen bases this season but shortly after stealing No. 7 missed almost a month with a hamstring injury. He made his first start of the season at second base Sunday, previously playing shortstop and left field.

• 3B Ryan Roberts, who was not scheduled to start Sunday, had a three-hit game and drove in the go-ahead run for a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning in Detroit, although the Tigers recovered to win, stunning the D-Backs with seven runs in the eighth. 3B Melvin Mora was in the original starting lineup but was a late scratch because of a bad back. Mora, a free agent signed to play third this season, has started only three of the last 16 games while Roberts has played his way into a regular role there with careers-high in homers (10), stolen bases (nine) and RBI (33).

• D-backs manager Kirk Gibson and bench coach Alan Trammell stood side-by-side in the D-backs' dugout and applauded as the No. 11 of former Detroit and Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson was unveiled on the left-center field fence in Comerica Park in a ceremony before Sunday's game. Gibson was the MVP of the Tigers' 1984 ALCS victory over Kansas City, and Trammell was the MVP of the 1984 World Series victory over San Diego.

• RHP Josh Collmenter was honored when his hometown of Homer, Mich., held Josh Collmenter Day on Friday, the day before his first major league start in his home state against Detroit. Several hundred fans from Homer attended the game, a 6-0 Tigers' victory. Family and friends wore orange T-shirts with a D-backs logo and lined the area around the bullpen as Collmenter warmed up, and he received a loud ovation when he was announced in the starting lineup.

• RHP J.J. Putz was unavailable Sunday after pitching three times in four days, recording three straight saves last Wednesday-Friday, and the D-backs were unable to hold a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning. RHP Aaron Heilman, who normally pitches earlier in the game, gave up two base runners in the Tigers' seven-run eighth inning, and setup man RHP David Hernandez gave up a walk and three singles to the four batters he faced as the Tigers took an 8-2 lead.

The Tribe recalled 3B Lonnie Chisenhall to play third base.

Can he help the offense?

Summary:

The Giants previously played Indians in 2008, losing two of three at Progressive Field. Of course, the Giants surprised the baseball world (but not me) by winning the world series last season. How did they do it? Primarily by a much improved defense from 2009, allowing the pitching staff, primarily made up of pitch-to-contact players, to enjoy nice years. They did not win the division until the last game of the season.

Pitching Matchups:

RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-3, 3.87 ERA) vs. LHP Jonathan Sanchez (4-5, 3.71) Tonight at 10:15

RHP Justin Masterson (5-5, 3.18) vs. RHP Matt Cain (6-4, 3.44) Tomorrow  at 4:11 p.m.

RHP Fausto Carmona (4-9, 6.17) vs. LHP Madison Bumgarner (3-8, 3.21), Sunday at 8:09 p.m

Giant News/Notes:

• RHP Brian Wilson surrendered a run for the first time in 16 games but collected his 21st save. He entered the ninth inning with a 2-0 cushion but walked Minnesota's Alexi Casilla and surrendered a run-scoring double to Michael Cuddyer. The game ended curiously when 3B Pablo Sandoval gloved a grounder and ran down Cuddyer, who tried unsuccessfully to return to second. Sandoval made a diving lunge at Cuddyer to apply the tag.

• C Buster Posey was seen in the Giants' dugout during the Twins series, and Minnesota All-Star C Joe Mauer was hoping for more. According to ESPN.com, Mauer said: "I was kind of excited when I saw San Francisco on the schedule—it was a chance for me to see Buster up close," Mauer said. But Posey is done for the season following his home-plate collision that left him with a blown-out ankle and busted leg. "He had a great start to his career and will be a good player in this league for a long time. You hate to see plays like that happen," Mauer said.

• OF Gary Brown, 22, will represent the Giants in the Futures Game, played two days before the All-Star Game in Phoenix. Brown, the Giants' first-round pick in the 2010 draft, is hitting .328 with a .398 on-base percentage and 32 steals for Class A San Jose.

• OF Aaron Rowand was hit on his left hand by a pitch in consecutive days. The latest came Thursday, when he was plunked by Twins RHP Alex Burnett, but he said he felt fine afterward. After he was struck Wednesday by a pitch from Twins RHP Nick Blackburn, Rowand was sore enough that he went for X-rays, which proved negative. He had two of the Giants' eight hits Thursday.

• LHP Madison Bumgarner will make his next start Sunday against the Indians, manager Bruce Bochy said. It's no surprise. Bochy intimated as much after Bumgarner's meltdown (one-third of an inning, eight runs) on Tuesday, but it had been speculated that LHP Barry Zito would come off the disabled list and start Sunday. Not so, Bochy said. Zito will be needed during a doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

Giant Injury Watch:

• RHP Sergio Romo (hyperextended left knee) left the June 22 game, and he didn't pitch June 23. He is day-to-day.

• 2B Freddy Sanchez (dislocated right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list June 11. He will try to rehab the injury without undergoing surgery.

• 1B Brandon Belt (hairline fracture in left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 1. He began throwing and hitting off a tee June 21, and he was getting close to hitting off soft tosses. He might be able to begin a rehab assignment in early July.

• LHP Barry Zito (strained right foot) went on the 15-day disabled list April 17. He did some flat-ground throwing May 7-8, and he threw a bullpen session May 11. He threw to hitters May 24. He began a rehab assignment with Class A San Jose on June 6, and he started for Class AAA Fresno on June 16 and June 21. He will be activated to start one game of a doubleheader June 28.

• INF Mike Fontenot (left groin strain) went on the 15-day disabled list May 26. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Fresno on June 9 but had to leave the June 10 game because of tightness in his groin. He might resume his rehab assignment during the week of June 20-26.

• OF Darren Ford (sprained left ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 23. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Fresno on June 16.

• INF/OF Mark DeRosa (strained left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list May 19. It's the same wrist he has had surgically repaired. He was hitting off a tee in mid-June.

• C Buster Posey (broken left leg, strained ligaments in left ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list May 26. He underwent season-ending surgery May 29.

Giants Ace Tim Lincecum.

Phew, we will miss this freak in this series. Hail Mary, full of grace...

Summary:

The Rockies open a three-game series with the Tribe tonight here in Cleveland. They are 8-7 all-time against the Indians but 1-5 at Progressive Field. This will be the sixth year the clubs have played, the first since 2008. The teams last played in Cleveland in 2005. Thier record in the month of June is 10-7

Rockies Rankings:

Pitching Matchups:

(Sorry If you cannot pronounce the names of some of the Rockies starters.)

RHP Fausto Carmona (4-8, 5.79 ERA) vs. RHP Juan Nicasio (2-1, 3.38), Tonight at 7:05

RHP Mitch Talbot (2-4, 5.02) vs. RHP Jhoulys Chacin (8-4, 2.81), Tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Josh Tomlin (8-4, 3.93) vs. RHP Jason Hammel (3-6, 3.65), Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

Rockies News/Notes:

• The Rockies finished their longest homestand of the season with a 6-4 record against the Dodgers, Padres and Tigers. SS Troy Tulowitzki went 14-for-38 (.368) on the homestand with four doubles, two homers, 10 RBI and seven runs, raising his average 15 points to .276, the highest it has been since he was hitting .284 on May 3.

• CF Carlos Gonzalez, although his season-long 11-game hitting streak ended, enjoyed a good homestand. He raised his average from .249 to .275 during the homestand by going 18-for-44 (.409) with five doubles, two homers, nine RBI and seven runs.

• Rookie LHP Rex Brothers gave up three runs, two earned, in the seventh inning. Covering home on a passed ball by C Matt Pagnozzi, who made his Rockies debut, Brothers was spiked by Tigers RF Brennan Boesch and suffered a cut on his right (non-throwing) forearm that required four stitches to close. According to the Denver Post, manager Jim Tracy said Brothers would be available "in a day or so."

• The Rockies had their second and third sellouts of the season Saturday and Sunday against the Tigers. They drew 48,555 on Saturday and 49,015 on Sunday. The latter attendance is the sixth highest in Coors Field history. The Rockies' other sellout this year was on Opening Day on April 1 when they drew 49,374.

• The Rockies fell back to 35-36 with their loss Sunday to the Tigers. Beating Detroit in the first two games of the season to extend their winning streak to four games, the Rockies reached .500 (35-35) for the first time since they were 24-24 on May 25. In the interim, the Rockies fell four games below .500 five times.

• RHP Ubaldo Jimenez's two-run single in the second inning Saturday against the Tigers gave him his first career multi-RBI game and broke an 0-for-32 stretch since his last hit, Sept. 1 at San Francisco.

Injury Watch:

• LHP Rex Brothers (cut on right forearm) left the June 19 game. He might be unavailable for a few days.

• RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (right calf cramp) left his June 18 start. He doesn't expect to miss a start. He is not scheduled to pitch in this series.

• C Jose Morales (fractured right thumb) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to June 16.

• CF Dexter Fowler (left abdominal strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 5. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Colorado Springs on June 14.

• RHP Matt Daley (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 1.

• RHP Esmil Rogers (strained right lat muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 2. He made rehab starts for Class AAA Colorado Springs on June 9 and June 14, but then he was shut down until late June due to a strained left ribcage muscle.

• LHP Jorge De La Rosa (torn ulnar collateral ligament in left elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list May 25. He had season-ending Tommy John surgery June 3.

Roster:

Rotation:

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez

RHP Jhoulys Chacin

RHP Jason Hammel

RHP Juan Nicasio

RHP Aaron Cook

Bullpen:

RHP Huston Street (closer)

RHP Rafael Betancourt

RHP Matt Belisle

RHP Matt Lindstrom

LHP Matt Reynolds

LHP Rex Brothers

RHP Clayton Mortensen

Catchers:

Chris Iannetta

Matt Pagnozzi

Infielders:

1B Todd Helton

2B Jonathan Herrera

SS Troy Tulowitzki

3B Ty Wigginton

INF Jason Giambi

INF Chris Nelson

Rockies set-up man Rafael Bentancourt.

He played a vital role in the Indians bullpen in their division run of 2007.

(Photo Courtesy of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.)

Summary:

This is the Pirates’ first visit to Cleveland since 2006, when the Indians took two of three games. The Pirates took two of three games from the Indians each of the past two seasons in Pittsburgh. The Pirates lead the all-time series, 15-12.

Pitching Matchups:

Tonight: RHP Kevin Correia (8-5, 3.73) vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (7-4, 4.14)

Tomorrow Night: LHP Paul Maholm (3-7, 3.12) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (6-3, 4.09)

Sunday Afternoon: RHP Jeff Karstens (4-4, 2.66) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (5-5, 3.16)

Welcome Back, Carter!

The Tribe has reactiviated DH Travis Hafner off the disabled list prior to todays game. To make room on the 25-man roster, Travis Buck was optioned to Class AAA Columbus. Hafner is in the lineup and batting cleanup tonight as the Tribe opens a three-game series against the Pirates at Progressive Field. Hafner is hitting .345 with eight doubles, five homers and 22 RBI in 32 games for the Indians. Hafner suffered a strained right oblique May 18 in Chicago. He felt pain during a batting practice swing as the Tribe prepared to play the White Sox. He was placed on the DL on May 20.

Pirate News & Notes:

• CF Andrew McCutchen lost a 15-game hitting streak Thursday even though he singled in the Pirates' 5-4 victory in Houston. The Mets appealed a scoring decision Saturday in Pittsburgh that McCutchen's double should have been ruled an error, and a Major League Baseball panel unanimously concurred. His streak now is at five.

• 3B Josh Harrison returned to the lineup after missing four games because of a strained oblique muscle. Playing before family and friends in his native Texas, he delivered an RBI double to deep right in the sixth inning.

• RHP Joel Hanrahan, one of the majors' top closer with 19 saves in as many chances, was not available Thursday because of manager Clint Hurdle's personal rule of never using a reliever in more than three consecutive games. RHP Jose Veras got his first save with the Pirates despite giving up a run in the ninth inning.

• SS Ronny Cedeno's relay and C Dusty Brown's tough tag resulted in a 7-6-3 double play that nailed Houston's Hunter Pence in the third inning. Cedeno has made only one error in the last six weeks.

• LHP Tony Watson, one of the two rookies in the bullpen, continues to impress. He pitched two scoreless, hitless innings in relief of shaky RHP James McDonald, keeping his ERA at 0.00 through two weeks since being promoted. 

• The Pirates have won 10 of the last 15 meetings between these two teams, scoring at least five runs in eight of the 10 wins. 

• Garrett Jones is hitting .348 (24-for-69) with seven extra-base hits and 14 RBI in 19 career interleague games. 

• Kevin Correia is 7-1 with a 2.42 ERA in eight road starts in 2011. Opponents are hitting just .216 against Correia in those road starts. His seven wins on the road this year are also the most in the majors.

Stat of the Series:

4—Number of times the Pirates won the first two of a three-game series, only to fall short of a sweep. That changed Thursday with a 5-4 victory in Houston that finally brought a sweep.

He said what?

"Oh, yeah. We're checking what other teams are doing."

—1B Garrett Jones, after the Pirates' sweep Thursday, on whether the Pirates are scoreboard watching.

Injury Watch:

• 3B Josh Harrison (mild right oblique strain) was out of the lineup June 12-15. He returned to action June 16.

• C Chris Snyder (herniated disk in lower back) went on the 15-day disabled list June 9, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 10. He had surgery in mid-June, and he might miss the rest of the season.

• RHP Evan Meek (right shoulder tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 8. It's his second DL stint for the same ailment this season. His velocity dipped, but Meek said he did not feel pain. He will have the shoulder examined June 13 by Dr. James Andrews. Meek was cleared of any major injury by Dr. Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., and he will remain on a rest-and-rehabilitation path that has him on course to return in late July.

• C Ryan Doumit (non-displaced fracture in left ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list May 30. He was headed to Bradenton, Fla., on June 9 to begin his rehabilitation. He is out until late July. Doumit had a CT scan on June 13 that confirmed his injury was healing as expected, and he left the team for Bradenton, Fla., where he was expected to begin his rehabilitation.

• 3B Steve Pearce (partially torn muscle in right calf) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 29. There is no timetable for his return.

• LHP Joe Beimel (left elbow inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list May 28. He threw off a mound June 14 for the first time since the injury.

• 3B Pedro Alvarez (sore right quadriceps) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 20. He was rehabbing in extended spring training in early June when he suffered a setback. There is no timetable for his return.

• RHP Mike Crotta (right elbow inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list May 11.

• RHP Ross Ohlendorf (strained right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list April 9, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 30. He threw off flat ground for the first time April 17. Ohlendorf threw from 120 feet April 26, and he threw two bullpen sessions in late April. He pitched his first live batting practice May 3 and threw another May 6. He had a setback, but he resumed throwing over the second weekend of May. He began throwing off a mound in Bradenton, Fla., in late May.

• RHP Kevin Hart (right shoulder surgery in May 2010) went on the 60-day disabled list March 18. He was throwing in Bradenton, Fla., in mid-April, but the timetable for his return was uncertain.

ROSTER:

Rotation:

LHP Paul Maholm

RHP Kevin Correia

RHP James McDonald

RHP Charlie Morton

RHP Jeff Karstens

Bullpen:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

RHP Chris Resop

RHP Jose Veras

LHP Tony Watson

LHP Daniel Moskos

RHP Daniel McCutchen

RHP Tim Wood

Catchers:

Dusty Brown

Mike McKenry

Infielders:

1B Lyle Overbay

2B Neil Walker

SS Ronny Cedeno

3B Brandon Wood

INF Pedro Ciriaco

INF Josh Harrison

Outfielders:

LF Jose Tabata

CF Andrew McCutchen

RF Xavier Paul

OF Garrett Jones

OF Matt Diaz

Pirates GM Neal Huntington has built the club back to respectability.

Huntington is the former assistant GM of the Tribe.

TIGERS UPDATE:

 They're 7-4 in June and have a chance to move past the Indians into first place in the AL Central. Verlander is 10-11 in his career against the Tribe, but 6-1 in the last two seasons. Miguel Cabrera is hitting .455 (5-for-11) with two homers against the Tribe this season.

SEASON SERIES:

 Indians lead Tigers, 3-0, this season. Tigers lead, 1,051-1,025, overall.

PITCHING MATCHUPS:

RHP Justin Masterson (5-4, 3.18) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (7-3, 2.89) Tonight at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Fausto Carmona (3-8, 5.71) vs. RHP Brad Penny (5-5, 4.69) Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

RHP Mitch Talbot (2-3, 4.01) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (8-2, 4.39) Thursday at 1:05 p.m.

INJURY WATCH:

• RF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle weakness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 11. Ordonez tested his right ankle pregame workouts May 27-28 in Detroit. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Toledo on June 3, and was activated June 13.

• 3B Brandon Inge (mononucleosis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 1.

• LHP Brad Thomas (sore left elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 11. He threw batting practice for the first time since his elbow locked up and could be ready for a rehab assignment at some point the week of June 13-20.

• 2B Carlos Guillen (left knee microfracture surgery in September 2010) went on the 15-day disabled list March 30. He remained at the team's Florida camp in early April to rehab. By late April, he had begun running. He worked out at Comerica Park in mid-May, taking batting and fielding practice, but then returned to Florida. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 22, and he had stopped doing baseball activities as of Memorial Day weekend. He joined the Tigers for batting practice the second weekend of June but wasn't expected back until at least the All-Star break.

• RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow surgery in July 2010) experienced pain in the elbow during his Feb. 27 spring debut, and he went on the 15-day disabled list March 30. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 18. He had exploratory surgery May 10, and he might be out for the season. He will be evaluated sometime in June.

NEWS/NOTES:

• LHP Phil Coke came out firing bullets to Tampa Bay, his fastball hitting 95 mph for his first two pitches. He eased off his fastball a couple of innings into the game, but his breaking ball got better and he was able to mix the two effectively through 6 1/3 shutout innings. Coke wound up without a decision, Detroit scoring only one run for him and Tampa Bay tying it in the eighth.

• RF Magglio Ordonez helped Detroit in his return to the Tigers—but with his arm, not his bat. Ordonez returned to action after being on the disabled list since May 11, and he went 0-for-2 and was hit by a pitch. Both outs were sharply lined, to second and third, and he looked much stronger at the plate than earlier this season. Where Ordonez helped out the most, though, was turning a seventh-inning flyout to medium right field with one out and the bases loaded into an inning-ending double play with a throw to the plate. The ankle weakness that plagued him since the beginning of the season is gone. He was taken out of the game for defensive reasons following the seventh.

• RHP Joaquin Benoit gave up the tying run in the eighth inning, the second consecutive appearance he has allowed a run after 10 scoreless outings in a row. Benoit yielded three straight one-out singles—two of them on 1-2 counts—and then a sacrifice fly to right that created a 1-1 tie. Benoit got himself into trouble by getting too many pitches up.

• 2B Ryan Raburn returned to the lineup after sitting out two games and ended an 0-for-7 skid with a single to short his first time up. It was his only hit of the game, but he looked visibly relaxed at the plate and not at all like the befuddled batter he was in the three games prior to his two-game benching.

• C Alex Avila had two hits, and he also threw out two runners on the bases and made a key tagout at the plate. Avila's two hits did not factor into Detroit's 2-1, 10-inning win over Tampa Bay, but his defensive work did. Avila threw out a runner trying to steal third with one out in the fourth and got PR Sam Fuld when Fuld overslid second on a two-out steal attempt in the ninth. But his biggest contribution was catching a throw and making a sweep tag at the plate on LF Justin Ruggiano, who was trying to score on a medium-depth fly to right. RF Magglio Ordonez made the one-hop throw, and Ruggiano was called out on the play, though replays showed he might have been safe.

• DH Victor Martinez drove in Detroit's first run and scored the winning run from first on a one-out triple to right-center by 2B Ramon Santiago in the 10th inning. The presence of Martinez is a key reason managers are reluctantly electing to pitch to 1B Miguel Cabrera. Martinez singled in a run after Cabrera was walked with a runner on second and two outs in the fifth. He is now 18-for-39 (.462) with 16 RBI following a walk to Cabrera this season. Manager Jim Leyland elected not to pinch-run for Martinez following his one-out single in the 10th, and Martinez came all the way around with the winning run on Santiago's hit.

• CF Austin Jackson struck out three times, but he also had a pair of singles for another multi-hit game. The resurgent Jackson now has six multi-hit games in his last 14. Neither hit got out of the infield, but that's one of the things that happen when Jackson is hot.

• RHP Jose Valverde pitched one inning, a scoreless ninth in a tie game, so manager Jim Leyland would be able to use him for at least two of Detroit's upcoming three games with Cleveland beginning Tuesday. Leyland will occasionally use Valverde two innings in a tie game if his pitch count is low enough. He threw 19 pitches in his inning, striking out two batters with his split-finger, which he is beginning to use more as the season progresses. He'll tell Leyland whether he can pitch Tuesday night after he arrives to Comerica Park.

• LHP David Purcey has been a valuable acquisition for Detroit. Purcey allowed a walk and a single with one out in the 10th inning but wriggled out of trouble via a liner to short that was turned into a double play. Still, Purcey's ability to pitch scoreless innings has given manager Jim Leyland some late-inning options, either in front of or, in this case, behind RHPs Joaquin Benoit and Jose Valverde. Purcey gained a victory when the Tigers rallied for a run in the bottom of the 10th.

Former Indian Victor Martinez.

ROSTER:

Rotation:

RHP Justin Verlander

RHP Max Scherzer

RHP Rick Porcello

RHP Brad Penny

LHP Phil Coke

Bullpen:

RHP Jose Valverde (closer)

RHP Joaquin Benoit

LHP Daniel Schlereth

LHP Charlie Furbush

RHP Al Alburquerque

LHP Adam Wilk

LHP David Purcey

Catchers:

Alex Avila

Victor Martinez

Infielders:

1B Miguel Cabrera

2B Ramon Santiago

SS Jhonny Peralta

3B Ryan Raburn

INF Danny Worth

UT Don Kelly

Outfielders:

LF Brennan Boesch

CF Austin Jackson

RF Magglio Ordonez

OF Casper Wells

OF Andy Dirks

Summary:

The Yankees can’t be happy with their start to a season high-tying 10-game homestand. Having the skidding Tribe visit appears to be just what they need. Coming off a sweep at the hands of their fiercest rival, the Yankees look to continue their success against the Indians in the opener of this four-game wraparound series Friday night.

New York (33-27) has dropped 10 of 14 at home after getting swept in three games by Boston to relinquish the AL East lead. The Yankees dropped two games behind the first-place Red Sox with Thursday’s 8-3 loss, which was delayed 3 hours, 27 minutes by rain. The Yanks have won 10 of 13 against the Indians (34-26) while hitting .304 and averaging 6.8 runs.

News/Notes:

• C Russell Martin underwent an MRI on his back, the results of which were negative. Martin missed his second consecutive game Thursday after tweaking the back while working out Tuesday night.

• DH Jorge Posada returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday's game to be with his son, who underwent skull surgery. Posada went 2-for-4 to raise his season average to .203, the first time he's been over .200 since April 3.

• SS Derek Jeter went 1-for-4 Thursday, giving him 2,990 career hits. Jeter is closing in on becoming the 28th player in baseball history to record 3,000 hits. Jeter also scored the 1,721st run of his career, moving him past Wee Willie Keeler for 22nd place on the all-time list.

• RHP Phil Hughes threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Thursday, hitting 90-92 mph with his fastball during the session. Hughes will throw in a rookie-level Gulf Coast League game Tuesday, his next step toward a return from a shoulder injury.

• RHP Jeff Marquez made his Yankees debut Thursday night, allowing one run in two innings. Marquez, who was traded by the Yankees to the White Sox before the 2009 season in the deal that netted OF Nick Swisher, was claimed off waivers from Chicago on Wednesday. It was his second major league appearance overall.

Injury Watch:

• C Russell Martin (back stiffness) did not play June 8-9. He is day-to-day.

• RHP Joba Chamberlain (torn ligament in right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 6. He likely needs season-ending Tommy John surgery.

• RHP Phil Hughes (dead arm) went on the 15-day disabled list April 15. He threw a bullpen session April 19, and was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 25. He played long-toss April 22, and he threw a bullpen session April 23. He cut short an April 25 bullpen session, and he had numerous medical tests performed in late April and early May, but all came back negative. He received a cortisone shot April 28, and he began a new throwing program by playing catch May 12. He threw a simulated game June 9, and he could start a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League on June 14.

• 3B Eric Chavez (bone bruise in left foot) went on the 15-day disabled list May 6, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 8. He was expected to begin baseball-related activities during the week of June 6-12. Until he's cleared to run, there is no timetable for his return.

• RHP Rafael Soriano (right elbow inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 14. He had to stop a throwing session May 23 due to discomfort. He was shut down until around the second week of June, when he could start a conservative throwing program. He might be able to throw to batters in late June or early July.

• LHP Pedro Feliciano (torn capsule in left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 15. On April 18, Dr. James Andrews recommended a conservative treatment program until early June.

• LHP Damaso Marte (left shoulder surgery in October 2010) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He is unlikely to return before the All-Star break.

• INF Reegie Corona (broken right elbow) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He is unlikely to return before midseason.

• OF Colin Curtis (dislocated right shoulder) went on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He had surgery April 15, and he is likely out for the season.

Pitching Matchups:

Tonight
RHP Ivan Nova (4-4, 4.50) vs. RHP Fausto Carmona (3-7, 5.33)

Saturday
RHP Bartolo Colon (4-3, 3.39) vs. RHP Mitch Talbot (2-2, 4.18)

Sunday
RHP Freddy Garcia (4-5, 3.86) vs. RHP Josh Tomlin (7-3, 3.71)

Monday
RHP A.J. Burnett (6-4, 4.37) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (5-3, 4.52)

Roster:

Rotation:

RHP CC Sabathia

RHP A.J. Burnett

RHP Ivan Nova

RHP Freddy Garcia

RHP Bartolo Colon

Bullpen:

RHP Mariano Rivera (closer)

RHP Luis Ayala

RHP Joba Chamberlain

RHP David Robertson

LHP Boone Logan

RHP Hector Noesi

RHP Lance Pendleton

Catchers:

Russell Martin

Jorge Posada

Francisco Cervelli

Infielders:

1B Mark Teixeira

2B Robinson Cano

SS Derek Jeter

3B Alex Rodriguez

INF Eduardo Nunez

Outfielders:

LF Brett Gardner

CF Curtis Granderson

RF Nick Swisher

OF Andruw Jones

OF Chris Dickerson

Minnesota Twins at a glance:

21-37 record on the year; fourth place in the American League Central Division. They are 13 games in-back of the Indians in the loss column. They have won four games in a row, coming off a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Before that series, the Twins were swept by the Tigers in a three game series.

Tribe Killer(s):

Justin Morneau: Hitting .289 with four home-runs, 11 walks and a .375 OBP in his career vs. the Tribe.

Francisco Liriano:  The Indians have struck out 31 times in 97 at-bats while hitting only one home-run (Asdrubal Cabrera).

Injuries:

• OF/DH Jason Kubel (sprained left foot) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 31.

• DH Jim Thome (strained left quadriceps) went on the 15-day disabled list June 2.

• LHP Francisco Liriano (left shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 23. An MRI found no structural damage, and he is scheduled to start for the Twins on June 7.

• RHP Joe Nathan (right elbow inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 24. An MRI found no structural damage, and he expects to return by late June.

• INF Tsuyoshi Nishioka (broken left leg) went on the 15-day disabled list April 8. He was working out in Fort Myers, Fla., in early May, and he started sprinting May 16. He began playing in extended spring training games in late May. He was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 28, but he still could return by mid-June.

• RHP Kevin Slowey (strained abdominal muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 21. He was working out in extended spring training in early June.

• LHP Glen Perkins (strained oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list May 22. He played long-toss May 31, and he hopes to be activated today.

• C Joe Mauer (bilateral leg weakness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 13, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 2. He began throwing and swinging a bat May 4, and he began rehabbing in extended spring training May 18. He began serving as a designated hitter in extended spring training games May 24, as he was unable to catch due to a sore shoulder. He began catching in extended spring training June 2.

Current Roster:

Rotation:

RHP Carl Pavano

RHP Nick Blackburn

LHP Brian Duensing

RHP Scott Baker

RHP Anthony Swarzak

Bullpen:

RHP Matt Capps (closer)

LHP Phil Dumatrait

RHP Alex Burnett

RHP Jim Hoey

LHP Chuck James

LHP Jose Mijares

RHP Anthony Slama

Catchers:

Drew Butera

Rene Rivera

Infielders:

1B Justin Morneau

2B Michael Cuddyer

SS Matt Tolbert

3B Danny Valencia

INF Alexi Casilla

INF Luke Hughes

INF/OF Brian Dinkelman

Outfielders:

LF Delmon Young

CF Denard Span

RF Ben Revere

OF Jason Repko

News/Notes:

• RHP Carl Pavano won his 100th career game on Friday night, though it took him seven attempts to get from 99 to 100. Pavano gave up two runs on nine hits while pitching his first complete game of the season. It was his first win since April 24. He's now 3-5 with a 4.83 ERA and is one of 31 active pitchers, according to STATS Inc., with at least 100 wins.

• SS Trevor Plouffe, sent to Class AAA Rochester on Thursday to make room for OF/INF Brian Dinkelman on the 25-man roster, has had plenty of problems with his defense since the Twins drafted him in the first round in 2004, and on Friday manager Ron Gardenhire said the team is thinking about having Plouffe play elsewhere, possibly in the outfield.

• C Joe Mauer went 2-for-5 with a walk and two singles as the designated hitter in a spring training game on Thursday. He also grounded into a double play. He was scheduled to catch five innings in an extended spring game Saturday, and general manager Bill Smith told the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Thursday that the hope is to send Mauer out on an official rehab assignment "within the next week or so."

• INF  rookie Tsuyoshi Nishioka played seven innings in an extended spring training game on Friday. He has reported nothing more than soreness the last several days, but Gardenhire said Nishioka, out since April 7 with a fractured left fibula, is still not ready to begin an official rehab assignment.

• LHP Glen Perkins was scheduled to play long toss Saturday and, if that went well, throw a bullpen session on Sunday. Perkins, one the Twins' most reliable relievers this season, has been on the disabled list since May 22 with a right oblique strain. He is eligible to return June 6, and team trainer Dave Pruemer said that how Perkins does Sunday will determine whether the lefty needs a rehab stint.

Pitching matchups:

Tonight at 7:05: RHP Josh Tomlin (7-2, 3.27 ERA) vs. RHP Scott Baker (2-4, 3.86)

Baker threw seven scoreless innings Friday against the Angels, but got a no-decision when the Minnesota bullpen blew a 5-0 lead. (Fri May 27).  Baker had six strikeouts and no walks as he continues to improve his strikeout numbers. He's actually second among AL starters in strikeouts per innings pitched with 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Despite his 3.65 ERA, he may not get many wins since right now no lead is safe with Minnesota's struggling bullpen.

Tomorrow night at 7:05: RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-3, 5.18) vs. LHP Francisco Liriano (3-5, 5.73)

Liriano (shoulder) felt pain-free playing catch last Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He also had a successful bullpen session on Saturday and will come off the disabled list to pitch against the Tribe on Tuesday night. Liriano has not been the ace that the team expected coming into the season. Despite the no-hitter that he threw on May 3 against the White Sox (where he walked six and struck out only two), he has not dominated. Here is a link to a very good article about Liriano: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/13/what-happens-when-francisco-liriano-pitches-to-contact/

Wednesday afternoon at 12:05: RHP Justin Masterson (5-4, 3.28) vs. RHP Carl Pavano (3-5, 4.83)

Carl Pavano. Eight million dollars a year. Enough said.

Former Indian (and current Tribe killer) Jim Thome.

This time, he is on the disabled list coming into town.

Photo courtest of Tony Dejak / Associated Press

Summary:

The Texas Rangers enter the series in first place, one game ahead of the Seattle Mariners for first place in the American League West. Texas went 13-15 in May. They hit .290 (62-for-214) as a team against the Indians last year Nelson Cruz hit only .200, but added three homers and four RBI.

Injury Watch:

• SS Elvis Andrus (swollen left foot) left the May 30 game. He appeared as a reserve May 31, but started June 1 and had two stolen bases.

• LHP Matt Harrison (blister on left index finger) left the May 28 game, but he is expected to start June 2. Harrison was scratched from that start but hoped to start June 7.

• OF Julio Borbon (left hamstring inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list May 14. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Frisco on May 30, and he moved his rehab to Class AAA Round Rock on May 31. If all goes well, Borbon could be activated June 6.

• RHP Tommy Hunter (right groin strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 25. He threw off a mound for the first time April 19. He threw batting practice April 25, and he pitched in extended spring training April 30. He began a rehab assignment with Class AA Frisco on May 4. He started for Class AAA Round Rock on May 9 but tweaked his groin on his last pitch. An MRI showed a recurrence of his groin strain, and he was shut down until late May.

• RHP Scott Feldman (microfracture right knee surgery in November 2010) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22. He began pitching in extended spring training in late April, and he began a rehab assignment with Class AA Frisco on May 14. He pitched for Class AAA Round Rock on May 19 and May 24, but he was still struggling with his knee, and on May 27, his rehab assignment was postponed indefinitely.

• RHP Brandon Webb (right shoulder surgery in August 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 14. He was throwing bullpen sessions in early and mid-April, and he threw batting practice April 20. Webb pitched in extended spring training in late April and early May. Webb made his first rehab assignment start May 30 for Class AA Frisco, but he was ineffective.

• RHP Mason Tobin (right elbow tightness) went on the 60-day disabled list April 20. He was diagnosed with inflammation in the right ulnar collateral ligament following an MRI exam and CT scan. The treatment plan was uncertain.

• RHP Eric Hurley (skull fracture and post-concussion symptoms) was called up from the minors and placed on the 60-day disabled list April 23. He was hurt when hit in the head by a line drive April 18 while pitching for Class AAA Round Rock.

• RHP Darren O'Day (torn labrum in left hip) went on the 60-day disabled list April 27. He had surgery April 28, and the timetable for his return was unknown.

• RHP Omar Beltre (back surgery in February 2011) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 22, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 8.

Team Notes:

• LHP Matt Harrison was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday due to a blister on his left index finger. Harrison tried to throw on two different occasions between starts and still found the skin too sensitive. The hope is that it will callus over and Harrison will be able to take his next regular turn on Tuesday against Detroit. RHP Dave Bush will start Thursday and LHP Michael Kirkman will likely relieve him.

• LHP Arthur Rhodes will see his role further diminished in the wake of recent poor performances. According to the Dallas Morning News, Manager Ron Washington said he will seek to further "protect" his 41-year-old reliever, who is looking more and more like a one-batter left-handed specialist. Rhodes has pitched more than one inning only once this year and not since April 17. He has pitched on back-to-back days only twice. And after allowing a home run to Evan Longoria on Tuesday, he's not likely to face right-handers any time soon. Right-handed batters went 6-for-14 with three home runs against him in May.

• SS Elvis Andrus stole two bases on Wednesday and has 17 steals this season without being caught. Dating to the 2010 postseason, he has 23 consecutive successful steal attempts.

• RHP Colby Lewis pitched eight shutout innings Wednesday. Since April 30, Lewis has averaged 7 2/3 innings for his seven starts and has held hitters to a .218 batting average while compiling a 2.04 ERA.

• DH Michael Young was the leading vote-getter at designated hitter when the first AL All-Star voting update was released on Wednesday. Young, who has been to six All-Star Games but has never been voted a starter by the fans, led Boston's David Ortiz by about 28,000 votes. OF Josh Hamilton was third among outfielders.

Tribe Killer(s):

Elvis Andrus- batted .500 (8-for-16) average against the Indians last year. For his career, he is batting .396 with two home-runs in 48 at-bats against the Wahoo's

Nelson Cruz- Has hit five home-runs in 50 at-bats, second most hit against any opponent except the Yankees (7).

Pitching Matchups:

Tonight: RHP Carlos Carrasco vs. RHP Dave Bush

Dave Bush gets the start for Harrison (see Injury Watch) tonight. Thinking back to a much simpler time in life- say 2007- there was an astute fantasy owner in one of my leagues could have extracted a terrible price by drafting Dave Bush and dangling him in front of me. In 2006, Bush led the NL with a 4.4 K/BB ratio, and I fancied him on the verge of a breakout—if that season were repeated today, I’d make eyes at his 3.57 FIP, sit back, and wait for him to lop a run off his ERA. That didn’t happen, as Bush’s Maddux-like control regressed the following season, followed shortly by his strikeout rate, which had been only passable to begin with. Worse still, he’s become more fly-ball-oriented in recent seasons, and his results have predictably suffered. Bush serves as a reminder that sometimes being on the verge of a breakout isn’t far from being broken. It’s clear that Bush’s moment has come and gone, but the Rangers thought him worthy of long relief and have reunited him with his pitching coach from those almost-glory days, Mike Maddux. He gets the spot start tonight and has only struck out 11 in 20.3 IP this season.

Tomorrow night: RHP Justin Masterson vs. RHP Alexi Ogando

Used strickly as a reliever last year for the Rangers, Ogando has pitched very well in the starting rotation in 2011. So far, he has started ten games and has gone into the sixth inning or later in each of them. At age 27, the Dominican flame thrower has not lost a game all season.There were concerns about Oganda's ability to get lefties out entering the season, but he has fared really well against them so far (an OPS against just over 600). Nobody is going to keep a sub-2 ERA, but as long as he stays healthy, he should be a decent option for the Rangers heading forward.
As a side note, you have to tip your cap to Texas on reliever-to-starter transitions too. Either they've gotten lucky a few times, or they know what's up. Maybe a bit of both.

Saturday night: RHP Fausto Carmona vs. LHP Derrek Holland

As a left-hander whose heat sits at 93-96 mph, Holland has true star potential, but his rookie campaign in 2009 showed that there is still plenty of work to be done to get him there. He occasionally dominated, including a three-hitter against the first-place Angels in a crucial August series. More often than not, however, he was forced to rely overmuch on the heater, as his slider just disappeared completely from his repertoire at times. Still just 24, he's still a way from the upswing of his career path, and pitchers with his raw abilities are hard to find, is why he is in the Rangers rotation even after a lackluster 2010 season too. While his numbers have improved this year, he still shows how raw he is on the mound.

Sunday afternoon: RHP Mitch Talbot vs. LHP C.J. Wilson

In his second year as a starter, Wilson is yet another by-product of the Rangers development plan of taking relievers and making them starters. Ogando, Holland, and Wilson were all schooled in the Nolan Ryan Express University. This season, the 30 year-old has had double digit strikeouts in 4 of his 12 starts. He has the most strikeouts (8.30) per nine innings pitched of any Rangers starter. He is the type of pitcher that the Indians usually have trouble with.

Summary:

The Blue Jays might be gaining some momentum after winning three in a row from the White Sox. This was the opposite of the way the Blue Jays have been doing things this season. They lost the first game to the White Sox then won the next three. Usually they are good at winning the opener and losing the rest of the games in the series. The all-important wins aside, the bats are showing signs of life, and Adam Lind will probably be back in the coming week after he plays in some minor-league games. Lind has been out with lower back tightness, and if there was a side benefit to him going on the disabled list, it was the reawakening of Juan Rivera as a first baseman. His fielding has been good enough and his bat has come alive. Because he has taken to the position, the Blue Jays will be able to ease Lind into first base by also using him as DH to alleviate any stress there might be on his back. Aaron Hill and Edwin Encarnacion finally came through with their first home runs of the season in Sunday's 13-4 win over the White Sox. Hill's homer also was his first career grand slam. If those two get going and Lind returns, this could be a potent lineup.

Injuries:

• INF John McDonald (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list May 27.

• 1B Adam Lind (lower back stiffness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 8. He resumed baseball activities at the minor league complex in Dunedin, Fla., on May 21, and was expected to begin playing as DH in minor league games May 30.

• RHP Jesse Litsch (right shoulder impingement) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive May 19. He felt soreness when he threw off flat ground in Dunedin, Fla., in late May, and he was shut down for a week.

• RHP Dustin McGowan (right shoulder surgery in June 2010) went on the 60-day disabled list March 12. He was throwing in extended spring training in late May, and he could begin a rehab assignment in early June.

• LHP Jesse Carlson (strained left shoulder) went on the 60-day disabled list March 29. He underwent season-ending rotator cuff surgery May 26.

Blue Jays Roster:

Rotation:

LHP Ricky Romero

RHP Kyle Drabek

LHP Jo-Jo Reyes

RHP Brandon Morrow

RHP Carlos Villanueva

Bullpen:

RHP Jon Rauch (closer)

RHP Octavio Dotel

RHP Shawn Camp

RHP Jason Frasor

RHP Casey Janssen

LHP Marc Rzepczynski

RHP Frank Francisco

LHP Luis Perez

Catchers:

J.P. Arencibia

Jose Molina

Infielders:

1B Edwin Encarnacion

2B Aaron Hill

SS Yunel Escobar

3B Jayson Nix

INF Mike McCoy

Outfielders:

LF Corey Patterson

CF Rajai Davis

RF Jose Bautista

DH Juan Rivera

OF Eric Thames

Tidbits:

• OF Eric Thames finally had a chance to play in the outfield in Saturday's 9-8 win over the White Sox. He made his big-league debut in left field after being used as DH in his first seven games since being called up from AAA Las Vegas. It was a way for Farrell to rest LF Corey Patterson, who went 5-for-7 with his 14th homer that won the game as DH. Thames has been working on his outfield defense, specifically on the way he goes back on fly balls. He has played left and right fields in the minors.

• LHP Luis Perez (1-0) won for the first time in his fifth major-league outing when he held the White Sox to two hits over 3 2/3 innings in Saturday's 9-8 win in 14 innings.

• DH Edwin Encarnacion used one of LHP Ricky Romero's bats when he hit his first homer of the season Sunday in a 13-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. Encarnacion broke the bat of a fifth-inning single.

• 2B Aaron Hill hit his first home run of the season in the first inning of Sunday's 13-4 win over the Chicago White Sox and it also happened to be his first career grand slam.

• RF Jose Bautista and White Sox LHP John Danks exchanged words after Bautista popped out to shortstop in the fourth inning Sunday in Toronto's 13-4 win. Danks didn't like the way Bautista reacted by slamming his bat to the ground.

• LF Corey Patterson was 5-for-7 Saturday with a walk-off homer in the 14th inning to beat the White Sox 9-8. He came back Sunday by going 4-for-5 with three RBIs, two on his fourth homer of the season, in five at-bats in Sunday's 13-4 win over Chicago. He was 11-for-19 in the four-game series against the White Sox.

Pitching Matchups:

Tonight: Fausto Carmona vs. Jo-Jo Reyes

Who is Jo-Jo Reyes and why does he have a cool name?

Tomorrow night: Mitch Talbot vs. Brandon Morrow.

Wednesday night: Josh Tomlin vs. Kyle Drabek

Drabek's combination of elite athleticism, plus velocity, and one of the best breaking balls in the prospect world gives him All-Star potential. He throws an 89-93 mph two-seamer that he can cut or sink, and can dial his four-seamer up to 97 when he rears back for something extra. Baseball America states that "[h]is over-the-top hard curveball is a plus-plus monster with plenty of bite, and he generates as many strikeouts with it as the fastball. Previous questions about his makeup are no longer discussed, as he came out of Tommy John surgery with considerably more maturity and an outstanding work ethic." Drabek has greatly improved his changeup, and while it projects as an average pitch in time, it isn't quite there yet. His command and control waver from above average to below, depending on the outing. So far this season, he has not fared well. He has started 11 games and is striking out just as manny hitters as he is walking (6.03) per nine innings.