Around the Majors: Benitez is out for 4 months

1) Yesterday’s scores–

AL
A’s 2, Whitesox 1
Tigers 10, Indians 3
BlueJays 8, Devil Rays 2
Angels 5, Yankees 1
Rangers 8, Mariners 2
Twins 9, Royals 4
Orioles at Redsox–PPD

NL
Pirates 2, Astros 0
Cardinals 6, Brewers 3
Braves 8, Mets 4
Giants 10, Padres 3
Phillies 3, Nationals 0
Cubs 8, Reds 7
Diamondbacks 6, Dodgers 3

2) Standings–

AL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Orioles          14    7  .667   -      5-5    9-2   12-04 01-01 01-02 WON  5
Redsox           11   10  .524   3      6-4    5-6   11-10 00-00 00-00 LOST 2
BlueJays         11   11  .500   3 1/2  4-6    7-5   07-08 00-00 04-03 WON  2
Yankees           9   12  .429   5      6-7    3-5   07-09 00-00 02-03 LOST 1
Devil Rays        8   13  .381   6      7-7    1-6   05-11 00-00 03-02 LOST 3

AL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Whitesox         16    6  .727   -      6-2   10-4   00-00 13-03 03-03 LOST 2
Twins            12    8  .600   3      6-2    6-6   00-00 10-07 02-01 WON  2
Tigers            9   10  .474   5 1/2  5-5    4-5   01-01 08-09 00-00 WON  3
Indians           8   12  .400   7      2-5    6-7   00-00 06-09 02-03 LOST 2
Royals            5   16  .238  10 1/2  2-11   3-5   00-00 03-12 02-04 LOST 7

AL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Angels           12    9  .571   -      8-5    4-4   01-01 03-02 08-06 WON  1
A's              11   11  .500   1 1/2  5-4    6-7   04-05 02-01 05-05 WON  2
Rangers          11   11  .500   1 1/2  5-6    6-5   05-04 00-00 06-07 WON  1
Mariners         10   11  .476   2      4-7    6-4   00-00 06-06 04-05 LOST 1

NL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Marlins          12    8  .600   -      8-6    4-2   09-07 02-01 01-00 WON  1
Braves           13    9  .591   -      6-3    7-6   12-08 01-01 00-00 WON  2
Mets             11   11  .500   2      8-4    3-7   08-08 03-03 00-00 LOST 2
Nationals        11   11  .500   2      5-5    6-6   08-11 00-00 03-00 LOST 1
Phillies         10   12  .455   3      5-5    5-7   07-10 02-01 01-01 WON  1

NL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Cardinals        14    5  .737   -      8-4    6-1   01-02 13-03 00-00 WON  6
Cubs             11   10  .524   4      6-5    5-5   00-00 09-06 02-04 WON  1
Reds             10   11  .476   5      7-3    3-8   04-02 06-09 00-00 LOST 1
Astros            8   12  .400   6 1/2  7-2    1-10  01-04 07-08 00-00 LOST 5
Pirates           8   12  .400   6 1/2  3-6    5-6   00-00 06-10 02-02 WON  2
Brewers           7   13  .350   7 1/2  2-6    5-7   00-00 05-10 02-03 LOST 2

NL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Diamondbacks     14    8  .636   -      9-3    5-5   00-03 02-01 12-04 WON  6
Dodgers          13    8  .619     1/2  5-3    8-5   00-00 02-00 11-08 LOST 3
Giants           10   11  .476   3 1/2  8-6    2-5   00-00 01-02 09-09 WON  2
Padres            9   13  .409   5      5-3    4-10  00-00 04-03 05-10 LOST 2
Rockies           6   13  .316   6 1/2  5-6    1-7   01-02 00-00 05-11 LOST 2

3) Today’s schedule–

AL
Devil Rays (Doug Waechter) at BlueJays (Josh Towers), 12:37
Twins (Kyle Lohse) at Royals (Runelvys Hernandez), 2:10
Tigers (Mike Maroth) at Indians (Kevin Millwood), 7:05
Angels (John Lackey) at Yankees (Kevin Brown), 7:05
Mariners (Gil Meche) at Rangers (Chris Young), 8:05

NL
Brewers (Chris Capuano) at Cardinals (Jason Marquis), 2:10
Marlins (A.J. Burnett and Travis Smith) at Rockies (Jason Jennings and Byung-Hyun Kim), DH, 3:05

4) Yesterday’s HR–

Alex Rodriguez–#8
Derrek Lee–#6 & #7
Cliff Floyd–#6
Corey Patterson–#5
Steve Finley–#4
Aaron Boone–#4
Russell Branyan–#4
Doug Mientkiewicz–#4
Pedro Feliz–#4
Matt LeCroy–#3
Michael Young–#3
Craig Monroe–#3
Jimmy Rollins–#3
Andruw Jones–#3
Garret Anderson–#2
Erubiel Durazo–#2
Ruben Gotay–#2
Grady Sizemore–#2
Olmedo Saenz–#2
Felipe Lopez–#2
Laynce Nix–#1
Alex Cora–#1
Mark Grudzielanek–#1
Eddie Perez–#1
Wilson Betemit–#1

5) HR leaders–

AL
1) Alex Rodriguez–8*
T2) Manny Ramirez–7
T2) Paul Konerko–7
T2) Brian Roberts–7
T2) David Ortiz–7
T6) Miguel Tejada–6
T6) Mark Teixeira–6
T8) Vladimir Guerrero–5
T8) Ron Belliard–5
T8) Jason Varitek–5
T8) Dmitri Young–5

NL
1) Derrek Lee–7**
T2) Adam Dunn–6
T2) Troy Glaus–6
T2) Jeff Kent–6
T2) Cliff Floyd–6*
T6) Albert Pujols–5
T6) Jim Edmonds–5
T6) Jose Guillen–5
T6) Pat Burrell–5
T6) Milton Bradley–5
T6) Wily Mo Pena–5
T6) Corey Patterson–5*

**–hit 2 yesterday
*–hit 1 yesterday

6) Alex Rodriguez tied Johnny Bench for 45th place on the all time HR list, with 389.

7) Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins hit his 50th career HR.

After -12 RCAA/.707 OPS and 14 RCAA/.803 OPS seasons, Rollins is off to a .387 SLG, .310 OBA, .697 OPS, -3 RCAA start in his first 22 games. He has a .734 career OPS, compared to his league average of .773, and -16 RCAA in 658 games.

8) Cubs 1B Derrek Lee had 2 HR and 4 hits.

After 35 RCAA/.888 OPS and 13 RCAA/.860 OPS seasons, Lee is hitting .797 SLG, .500 OBA, 1.297 OPS, 24 RCAA in his first 21 games. He has a .838 career OPS, compared to his league average of .776, and 100 RCAA in 1048 games.

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1) The Giants placed P Armando Benitez on the 15 day DL, called up P Scott Munter and sent OF Tony Torcato to the minors.

Benitez tore his hamstring and is expected to be out for 4 months.

Torcato had already been removed from the 25 and 40 man rosters when he was designated for assignment last week.

2) The Indians re-signed P C.C. Sabathia to a 2 year, $17.75 million contract, covering 2007-08, while they also picked up his option for 2006.

After 3.60 ERA/13 RSAA and 4.12 ERA/9 RSAA seasons, Sabathia is off to a 1.42 ERA/4 RSAA start in his first 2 starts. He has a 4.07 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.53, and 33 RSAA in 128 games.

3) Indians minor league P Paul Shuey retired.

Shuey, who missed the entire 2004 season, was in AA trying a comeback. He had a 3.57 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.64, and 59 RSAA in 451 games.

4) The Angels placed INF Maicer Izturis on the 15 day DL, called up INF David Matranga and moved P Matt Hensley from the 15 to the 60 day DL.

Izturis has -6 RCAA/.609 OPS in 46 career games, including a .400 SLG, .238 OBA, .638 OPS, -1 RCAA in 14 games in 2005.

Matranga was 1 for 5, with a HR, in 6 games with the 2003 Astros.

5) The Yankees called up P Chien-Ming Wang and sent P Colter Bean to the minors.

Wang will start on Saturday.

Bean gave up 1 run in 2 IP in his major league debut. The Yankees must have been so unimpressed with that that they preferred not to have an extra arm in the pen until Wang’s start.

6) Rangers P Frank Francisco will have ligament replacement surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

Francisco had a 3.33 ERA/10 RSAA in his first 45 career games, in 2004, and has been on the DL all year.

7) The BlueJays gave manager John Gibbons a 2 year contract extension, covering 2006-07.

8) The Nationals gave GM Jim Bowden a contract extension, through the end of the season. His contract was going to expire on Saturday.

9) The Cardinals placed P Jason Isringhausen on the 15 day DL and called up P Carmen Cali.

Isringhausen has a strained right abdominal muscle.

Cali has a 7.56 ERA/-4 RSAA in 11 career games, including 1 shutout inning in 1 game in 2005.

10) The Cubs called up P Roberto Novoa and sent P Jon Leicester to the minors.

Novoa has a 5.73 ERA/-4 RSAA in 17 career games, including a 9.00 ERA/-1 RSAA in 1 game in 2005.

Leicester has a 4.34 ERA/1 RSAA in 37 career games, including a 7.50 ERA/-2 RSAA in 5 games in 2005.

11) Rangers P Kenny Rogers’s line–6 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 5 BB, 1 SO.

After 4.57 ERA/1 RSAA and 4.76 ERA/8 RSAA seasons, Rogers is off to a 2.67 ERA/8 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.25 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.57, and 106 RSAA in 662 games.

12) BlueJays RF Alexis Rios had 3 hits, including 2 3B.

After starting his career with -13 RCAA/.720 OPS in 111 games, Rios is off to a .446 SLG, .321 OBA, .766 OPS, -2 RCAA start in his first 19 games. He has a .727 career OPS, compared to his league average of .768, and -15 RCAA in 130 games.

13) BlueJays P Gustavo Chacin’s line–7 2/3 IP, 7 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 S0.

Chacin has a 2.51 ERA/12 RSAA in 7 career games, including a 2.48 ERA/8 RSAA in 5 starts in 2005.

14) Cubs CF Corey Patterson had 3 hits (1 2B, 1 HR).

After 8 RCAA/.838 OPS and -8 RCAA/.771 OPS seasons, Patterson is hitting .483 SLG, .315 OBA, .797 OPS, 0 RCAA in his first 21 games. He has a .737 career OPS, compared to his league average of .772, and -29 RCAA in 484 games.

15) Cubs P Ryan Dempster took a pounding–5 1/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R/ER, 5 BB, 7 SO.

After 6.54 ERA/-29 RSAA and 3.92 ERA/1 RSAA seasons, Dempster is off to a 5.67 ERA/-4 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 5.01 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.38, and -83 RSAA in 189 games.

16) Dodgers P Jeff Weaver took a pounding–6 1/3 IP, 5 H, 5 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 SO.

After 5.99 ERA/-29 RSAA and 4.01 ERA/3 RSAA seasons, Weaver is off to a 6.23 ERA/-7 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.40 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.57, and -10 RSAA in 201 games.

17) Braves CF Andruw Jones had 3 hits, including a 2B and a HR.

After 13 RCAA/.851 OPS and 0 RCAA/.833 OPS seasons, Jones is off to a .378 SLG, .264 OBA, .642 OPS, -6 RCAA start in his first 22 games. He has a .832 career OPS, compared to his league average of .777, and 75 RCAA in 1313 games.

18) Braves P Mike Hampton’s line–7 IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 SO.

After 3.84 ERA/7 RSAA and 4.28 ERA/0 RSAA seasons, Hampton is off to a 1.67 ERA/11 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 3.95 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.32, and 90 RSAA in 368 games.

19) Mets P Tom Glavine took a pounding–4 1/3 IP, 12 H, 7 R/ER, 3 BB, 1 SO.

After 4.52 ERA/-6 RSAA and 3.60 ERA/16 RSAA seasons, Glavine is off to a 5.67 ERA/-4 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 3.45 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.09, and 290 RSAA in 575 games.

20) Pirates P Kip Wells (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) combined with Rick White and Jose Mesa for a shutout against the Astros.

After 3.28 ERA/21 RSAA and 4.55 ERA/-7 RSAA seasons, Wells is off to a 4.99 ERA/-3 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.23 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.38, and 19 RSAA in 160 games.

21) Astros P Andy Pettitte’s line–6 IP, 9 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 3 SO.

After 4.02 ERA/8 RSAA and 3.90 ERA/4 RSAA seasons, Pettitte is off to a 3.45 ERA/3 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 3.93 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.67, and 137 RSAA in 303 games.

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1) Cardinals 2B Mark Grudzielanek hit for the cycle.

After 6 RCAA/.782 OPS and -2 RCAA/.779 OPS seasons, Grudzielanek is hitting .453 SLG, .362 OBA, .815 OPS, 2 RCAA in his first 17 games. He has a .720 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and -75 RCAA in 1316 games.

2) Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez was out of yesterday’s lineup, due to a sore groin.

After -4 RCAA/.788 OPS and 24 RCAA/.951 OPS seasons, Ramirez is hitting .480 SLG, .352 OBA, .832 OPS, 1 RCAA in his first 20 games. He has a .792 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and -16 RCAA in 787 games.

3) Whitesox 2B Tadahito Iguchi was out of yesterday’s lineup, due to a bruised right knee.

Iguchi is off to a .348 SLG, .324 OBA, .672 OPS, -3 RCAA start in his first 18 career games.

4) Twins P Grant Balfour had exploratory elbow surgery yesterday. The doctors will examine the results and a decision will be made in the next couple of days whether he needs more surgery.

Balfour would have preferred to just go straight to Tommy John surgery. He has a 4.63 ERA/0 RSAA in 55 career games, including a 4.35 ERA/2 RSAA in 36 games in 2004, and has been on the DL all season.

5) According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Cubs may be interested in Phillies 2B Placido Polanco.

6) Giants 3B Edgardo Alfonzo was out of yesterday’s lineup, after he left Tuesday’s game due to tightness in his left hamstring. It was a precautionary move, the team has a day off today and he’s expected to be able to return tomorrow.

After -9 RCAA/.726 OPS and -7 RCAA/.757 OPS seasons, Alfonzo is hitting .569 SLG, .477 OBA, 1.047 OPS, 11 RCAA in his first 20 games. He has a .801 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and 121 RCAA in 1387 games. He just passed 5000 career AB (he has 5002).

7) Tigers P Jeremy Bonderman’s line–8 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 7 SO.

After starting his career with 5.56 ERA/-23 RSAA and 4.89 ERA/-9 RSAA seasons, Bonderman is off to a 3.82 ERA/2 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 5.07 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.58, and -30 RSAA in 71 games.

8) Indians P Jake Westbrook took a pounding–2 1/3 IP, 8 H, 9 R/ER, 2 BB, 0 SO.

After 4.33 ERA/-2 RSAA and 3.38 ERA/28 RSAA seasons, Westbrook is off to a 6.35 ERA/-6 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.48 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.57, and -1 RSAA in 109 games.

9) Royals P Brian Anderson took a pounding–6 IP, 6 H, 6 R/ER, 3 BB, 6 SO.

After 3.78 ERA/14 RSAA and 5.64 ERA/-22 RSAA seasons, Anderson is off to a 7.54 ERA/-8 RSAA start in his first 4 starts. He has a 4.74 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.51, and -33 RSAA in 289 games.

10) Angels LF Garret Anderson had 3 hits, including a HR.

After 33 RCAA/.885 OPS and 8 RCAA/.789 OPS seasons, Anderson is hitting .430 SLG, .315 OBA, .745 OPS, 0 RCAA in his first 21 games. He has a .805 career OPS, compared to his league average of .774, and 30 RCAA in 1498 games.

Despite Anderson’s hit totals, he’s poor at getting on base. When he reaches 1500 career games, he’ll move into 13th place for worst OBA vs. the league average, among OF with at least that many G–

OBA                             DIFF   PLAYER   LEAGUE 
1    Shano Collins             -.038     .303     .341 
2    Joe Carter                -.025     .308     .334 
3    Mickey Stanley            -.024     .298     .323 
4    Gee Walker                -.023     .331     .354 
5    Paul Blair                -.021     .302     .323 
6    Marquis Grissom           -.020     .318     .339 
7    Devon White               -.016     .319     .336 
8    Willie Davis              -.016     .311     .327 
9    Bill Virdon               -.015     .316     .331 
10   Ruben Sierra              -.014     .317     .332 
11   Dave Philley              -.014     .334     .348 
12   Doc Cramer                -.013     .340     .353 
13   Garret Anderson           -.012     .329     .341 
14   Garry Maddox              -.011     .320     .331 
15   Rick Manning              -.011     .317     .328 

11) Angels P Jarrod Washburn’s line–7 2/3 IP, 9 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 SO.

After 4.43 ERA/-5 RSAA and 4.64 ERA/-1 RSAA seasons, Washburn is off to a 3.38 ERA/4 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.04 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.58, and 56 RSAA in 169 games.

12) A’s DH Erubiel Durazo had 3 hits, including a HR.

After 18 RCAA/.804 OPS and 38 RCAA/.919 OPS seasons, Durazo is hitting .351 SLG, .317 OBA, .668 OPS, -3 RCAA in his first 21 games. He has a .875 career OPS, compared to his league average of .772, and 103 RCAA in 604 games.

13) Whitesox P Freddy Garcia’s line–7 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 SO.

After 4.51 ERA/-2 RSAA and 3.81 ERA/19 RSAA seasons, Garcia is off to a 2.83 ERA/8 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 3.91 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.62, and 78 RSAA in 191 games.

14) A’s P Kirk Saarloos’s line–5 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 5 BB, 1 SO.

Saarloos has a 5.43 ERA/-21 RSAA in 64 career games, including a 5.40 ERA/-3 RSAA in 5 starts in 2005.

15) Mariners P Ryan Franklin took a pounding–4 1/3 IP, 10 H, 7 R/ER, 3 BB, 2 SO.

After 3.57 ERA/20 RSAA and 4.90 ERA/-14 RSAA seasons, Franklin is off to a 4.09 ERA/0 RSAA start in his first 4 starts (6 games). He has a 4.10 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.55, and 12 RSAA in 155 games.

16) Padres P Tim Redding took a pounding–3 1/3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 0 SO.

After 3.68 ERA/15 RSAA and 5.72 ERA/-15 RSAA seasons, Redding is off to a 7.94 ERA/-8 RSAA start in his first 4 starts (5 games). He has a 4.88 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.27, and -23 RSAA in 96 games.

17) Giants P Kirk Rueter’s line–5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 0 SO.

After 4.53 ERA/-4 RSAA and 4.73 ERA/-6 RSAA seasons, Rueter is off to a 5.96 ERA/-5 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.20 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.31, and -14 RSAA in 325 games.

18) Brewers P Victor Santos took a pounding–4 IP, 7 H, 5 R/ER, 3 BB, 2 SO.

After a 4.97 ERA/-9 RSAA season, Santos is off to a 3.12 ERA4 RSAA start in his first 4 starts. He has a 5.03 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.35, and -16 RSAA in 100 games.

19) Cardinals P Chris Carpenter’s line–7 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 R/ER, 0 BB, 12 SO.

After a 3.46 ERA/14 RSAA season, Carpenter is off to a 4.01 ERA/0 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.57 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.60, and 7 RSAA in 185 games.

20) Phillies P Brett Myers (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 7 SO) combined with Rheal Cormier and Billy Wagner for a shutout against the Nationals.

After 4.43 ERA/-8 RSAA and 5.52 ERA/-23 RSAA seasons, Myers is off to a 1.35 ERA/11 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.59 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.27, and -24 RSAA in 81 games.

21) Nationals P Esteban Loaiza’s line–8 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 11 SO.

After 2.90 ERA/39 RSAA and 5.70 ERA/-18 RSAA seasons, Loaiza is off to a 4.13 ERA/0 RSAA start in his first 5 starts. He has a 4.69 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.50, and -11 RSAA in 305 games.

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