Astros Report
Astros finish against West
While the Cardinals and Cubs have the bulk of their remaining games within the six-team NL Central, the Astros are playing 18 of their last 32 against the NL West.
The Cardinals play 26 of their final 32 games and the Cubs 27 of their final 33 against NL Central clubs.
The Astros' only games against division opponents come in September -- two three-game series with the Cardinals and two four-game series with the Brewers.
"To be honest with you, I'd love to face the Cubs and Cardinals the rest of the way," Houston's Jeff Bagwell said. "That being said, I'm not going to miss facing (the Cubs') pitching staff."
Rangers Report
Palmeiro climbing
Rafael Palmeiro's 521st career homer tied him for 13th on baseball's list of leaders, along with Willie McCovey and Ted Williams. He has 38 home runs against the Royals, the most ever by any player.
Around the NL
Diamond dust
If Reggie Sanders hits another homer with the Pirates, he will become only the sixth right-handed hitter in team history with 30 in a season.
Marcus Giles hit his 42nd double of the year in the third, breaking the Atlanta record of 41 set in 1997 by Chipper Jones. Jones also hit 41 in 1999. The Braves' modern franchise record for doubles is 47, set in 1945 by Tommy Holmes when the team was in Boston.
Around the AL
Yankees make tricky roster moves
Carefully manipulating their roster to get ready for the postseason, the Yankees optioned pitcher Jeff Weaver to Single-A Tampa and designated ancient reliever Jesse Orosco for assignment.
Weaver plans to return next week. Orosco does not.
The moves cleared space for pitchers Gabe White, activated from the disabled list, and Felix Heredia, who was claimed on waivers from Cincinnati.
New York plans to make at least one more change by Sunday, the deadline for postseason roster eligibility. Jose Contreras is likely to be optioned to the minors and infielder Erick Almonte recalled from Triple-A Columbus, moves that would allow the Yankees to carry just 10 pitchers on their postseason roster.
Contreras and Weaver would be recalled from the minors on Monday, when active rosters expand to 40, and both would be eligible for postseason play because New York has two pitchers on the disabled list.
Diamond dust
The Royals placed pitchers Runelvys Hernandez and Kevin Appier on the 15-day disabled list, both with elbow injuries. Hernandez, the team's opening-day starter, is out for the season .
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/sports_f3c485d0146ce0db007c.html
Astros finish against West
While the Cardinals and Cubs have the bulk of their remaining games within the six-team NL Central, the Astros are playing 18 of their last 32 against the NL West.
The Cardinals play 26 of their final 32 games and the Cubs 27 of their final 33 against NL Central clubs.
The Astros' only games against division opponents come in September -- two three-game series with the Cardinals and two four-game series with the Brewers.
"To be honest with you, I'd love to face the Cubs and Cardinals the rest of the way," Houston's Jeff Bagwell said. "That being said, I'm not going to miss facing (the Cubs') pitching staff."
Rangers Report
Palmeiro climbing
Rafael Palmeiro's 521st career homer tied him for 13th on baseball's list of leaders, along with Willie McCovey and Ted Williams. He has 38 home runs against the Royals, the most ever by any player.
Around the NL
Diamond dust
If Reggie Sanders hits another homer with the Pirates, he will become only the sixth right-handed hitter in team history with 30 in a season.
Marcus Giles hit his 42nd double of the year in the third, breaking the Atlanta record of 41 set in 1997 by Chipper Jones. Jones also hit 41 in 1999. The Braves' modern franchise record for doubles is 47, set in 1945 by Tommy Holmes when the team was in Boston.
Around the AL
Yankees make tricky roster moves
Carefully manipulating their roster to get ready for the postseason, the Yankees optioned pitcher Jeff Weaver to Single-A Tampa and designated ancient reliever Jesse Orosco for assignment.
Weaver plans to return next week. Orosco does not.
The moves cleared space for pitchers Gabe White, activated from the disabled list, and Felix Heredia, who was claimed on waivers from Cincinnati.
New York plans to make at least one more change by Sunday, the deadline for postseason roster eligibility. Jose Contreras is likely to be optioned to the minors and infielder Erick Almonte recalled from Triple-A Columbus, moves that would allow the Yankees to carry just 10 pitchers on their postseason roster.
Contreras and Weaver would be recalled from the minors on Monday, when active rosters expand to 40, and both would be eligible for postseason play because New York has two pitchers on the disabled list.
Diamond dust
The Royals placed pitchers Runelvys Hernandez and Kevin Appier on the 15-day disabled list, both with elbow injuries. Hernandez, the team's opening-day starter, is out for the season .
http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/sports_f3c485d0146ce0db007c.html
