Posted on 03/23/2002 4:39:46 AM PST by Hugh Akston
Atlanta Braves: Greg Maddux was tagged for nine runs, walked six and had an error in just four innings Friday as the Cleveland Indians routed the Braves 9-2.
How rare was the beating? Maddux has never allowed nine runs in a regular-season or postseason game. The last time he walked six batters in a regular-season game was June 1, 1994 at St. Louis -- but he allowed no runs and won the game.
In fact, Maddux has walked six or more hitters just seven times in 501 career starts in the regular season; he's walked six on six different occasions (and won five of those games anyway!) and walked a career-high seven batters on June 26, 1990 vs. Montreal. He came away with a no-decision in that game.
Karim Garcia hit a three-run homer and Omar Vizquel had three RBIs for the Indians, who scored five runs in the third and four more in the fourth off Maddux (0-3).
"I didn't pitch good," said Maddux, who gave up seven earned runs. "The ball was up. Everything was up. I'd make a good pitch and they'd hit it hard. I'd make a better pitch and they'd hit it harder."
Maddux, who won his 12th straight Gold Glove last season, also fanned while trying to field an easy comebacker in the fourth inning for an error. He had one miscue in 74 chances all last season.
"I actually felt good, that's the sad part," Maddux said. "It would be nice to sit here if I had an excuse."
Cincinnati Reds: Jose Rijo is back in the big leagues.
The Red gave Rijo a one-year deal Friday, adding him to the 40-man roster and ending the suspense over whether he could comeback after five elbow operations.
Rijo, 36, was in camp with a minor-league deal and no promises of a roster spot. He was among the club's best pitchers in spring training, retiring the first 18 batters he faced before giving up a walk and a two-run homer Thursday.
Rijo will get a $500,000 base salary. He can make up to $250,000 in performance bonuses that begin with his 35th appearance.
The Reds opened a spot on their roster by putting right-hander Seth Etherton on the 60-day disabled list Friday. Etherton, who missed last season because of shoulder surgery, will stay in Florida to continue rehabilitation and will be eligible to rejoin the Reds on May 21.
Rijo had to prove himself again this spring, arriving in camp as a long shot. With each perfect relief appearance, he got a little closer to earning a big-league deal.
Rijo became the third non-roster pitcher to make the staff this week. Joey Hamilton and Jimmy Haynes were added to the rotation Wednesday, giving the Reds one of the least-expensive rotations in the majors.
New York Yankees: Pitcher Andy Pettitte threw 12 minutes in the bullpen Friday and took another step forward toward being ready for the start of the regular season.
Pettitte, slowed by a strained left elbow, threw his cut fastball for the first time since early this month.
"I'm right there ... just like I'd never been hurt," Pettitte said. "I'm back to my normal routine."
Manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre watched the session at Legends Field.
"I'm very comfortable with what I saw," Torre said. "He's fine. No hesitation. He threw everything."
Pettitte will pitch again Monday. He has made two minor league appearances since being scratched from a start on March 8 after experiencing elbow tightness.
White, Williams update: Rondell White took batting practice Friday for the first time since late last month and should play his spring training game early next week, but is expected to miss Opening Day.
White has been sidelined by a left rib cage strain since Feb. 25.
"I'm surprised how good it felt," White said. "I'm very happy with how the day went."
White will take batting practice again Saturday, and could play in a minor-league game Sunday or Monday.
There is a good possibility White will remain behind when the Yankees break camp on March 30.
Center fielder Bernie Williams is set to play Sunday after missing four days with a left hamstring strain.
Williams has been out twice this spring with the left hamstring injury. He had originally returned last Tuesday after sitting out four days.
Chicago White Sox: Jon Garland and Danny Wright are in. So is Jon Rauch, eventually. And Jim Parque? He's still working on his velocity.
With 10 days before the season starts, the White Sox finally set their rotation Friday. And it's a lot different than anyone expected when they began spring training.
"They're young, but they all have experience," said Todd Ritchie, who with Mark Buehrle were the only sure things in the rotation.
"They know what they're doing," he added. "I don't think any of them have tapped into their potential yet, so hopefully they'll all take off this year."
Buehrle and Ritchie were set as Nos. 1 and 2 when camp began. Buerhle led AL left-handers with a 3.29 ERA last season, and he went 16-8 in his first full season in the majors. Ritchie, acquired from Pittsburgh in the offseason, has a 4.37 career ERA.
But when Parque couldn't get the velocity the White Sox wanted after his shoulder surgery, the rest of the rotation went up for grabs. White Sox manager Jerry Manuel said either Garland or Wright will start the third game, depending on the matchups.
The fifth starter will be Rauch, who was Baseball America's minor league player of the year in 2000 but missed most of last year with a shoulder injury. Rauch won't make his first start until April 9 because of an early off day.
Chicago Cubs: Right-hander Scott Chiasson was among four players dropped by the Cubs on Friday.
Chiasson, who was 0-2 with a 10.29 ERA in seven innings this spring, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Three non-roster players -- right-hander Pat Mahomes, outfielder Jayson Bass and catcher Adam Melhuse -- were returned to the Cubs' minor league camp.
Bass was 6-for-18 this spring with one homer and two RBIs. Melhuse was hitting .485 (16-for-33) with one homer and eight RBIs in 15 games. Mahomes was 0-0 with a 12.71 ERA in 5 2-3 innings this spring.
The moves left the Cubs with 35 players in camp, including nine non-roster players.
Texas Rangers: After being announced as the Rangers' Opening-Day starting pitcher, Chan Ho Park threw seven innings in the Rangers 8-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Friday in Port Charlotte.
Park allowed four runs -- two earned -- and seven hits. The right-hander didn't walk a batter and struck out five. He is expected to make one more start in Florida before pitching in the Rangers first game April 1 at Oakland.
"The only thing I'm concerned about is the weather," Park said. "It might be colder there than it is in Florida. There is no pressure. I'm starting the first game, and I'm pitching the sixth game. It will be exactly the same. I just want to have fun. I'm ready for it. I really want to win."
Park allowed solo home runs to David Ortiz during a three-run second inning and a solo shot to Torii Hunter in the sixth.
Park will be making his second Opening-Day start. His first came with Los Angeles last year when he defeated Milwaukee.
Philadelphia Phillies: Prospect Brett Myers is making a strong case to make Philadelphia's rotation, pitching six strong innings in the Phillies' 3-2 victory in 10 innings over the Boston Red Sox on Friday in Clearwater.
Myers allowed five hits and one unearned run. He struck out five batters and walked three, lowering his ERA this spring to 3.18.
"There's no question there's still a decision to be made," manager Larry Bowa said. "But it's not a matter of whether I want to keep him. It's what's best for the organization and best for him.
David Coggin and Vicente Padilla, both of whom have major league experience, are the other contenders for the fifth starting spot.
Myers has never pitched above Double-A. He made his second start in five days against Boston and was even more impressive than his previous five-inning effort, when he allowed four hits and two runs.
"I'm surprised I'm still here pitching," Myers said. "I'm not holding out any hope or anything like that. My goal is to play here sooner or later, and I'd like it to be sooner than later."
What is it, 8 days until opening day?
Doesn't feel like it here. We still have snow on the ground.
The headline must have been... Baseball instructs umpires where to find the outer edge of Home Plate....
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