WEDNESDAY'S TIDBITS Line of the Day Randy Johnson Earned his 20th win and moved into fourth on all-time strikeout list. IP H R K 9 3 0 8 (3,705) Hero of the day Scott Hatteberg became the latest in a line of A's heroes, hitting a bottom-of-the-ninth bomb into the right-center bleachers for a 12-11 victory over the Royals (more below). Goat of the day Luis Alicea singled in the tying run in the top of the ninth, completing the Royals' rally from 11 runs down against the A's, then was picked off second for the third out of the inning. Injury report Pedro Martinez, who threw in the outfield, probably will miss his second straight start Sunday. Martinez was replaced by Frank Castillo on Tuesday. A's LHP Ted Lilly pitched his first simulated game since going on the disabled list with an inflamed left shoulder. Lilly hopes to return to Oakland's rotation as early as next Tuesday. Mariners utility player Mark McLemore will have surgery Thursday to remove bone chips in his right elbow. The Mariners said they hoped to still have McLemore back this season. They said he could return in as soon as two weeks. Mets 2B Roberto Alomar left the game against the Marlins in the sixth inning with inflammation of his left knee and is day-to-day. Angels RF Tim Salmon, out since Aug. 14 with a bruised left hand, is expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday. Stat of the day Rangers RHP Aaron Myette, ejected from Tuesday's game after throwing two pitches behind Orioles leadoff hitter Melvin Mora, started a second straight game Wednesday. He is the first pitcher to start successive games in the majors since Oakland's Steve McCatty on April 14-15, 1980. Streak of the day There's something about the AL West and grand streaks. While the A's have wowed baseball with their 20 straight wins, the Rangers have hit home runs in 22 straight games, breaking the club record they set earlier this season. The last word "''When you think about the number of pitchers who have played this game over the years, and there are only three guys ahead of him now. That's mind-boggling to me." -- Arizona manager Bob Brenly, on Randy Johnson.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Indians at Tigers
Cleveland: Cleveland manager Joel Skinner talked about how injuries to the Indians' starting pitchers have affected the team's rotation. "It hasn't been rotated because guys have been taken in and out of it because of injuries,'' he said. ... 1B Jim Thome has reached base safely in 33 consecutive games, which is the longest current streak in the majors. Detroit: Damion Easley played his 780th game at second base for Detroit. That moved him alone into fifth place on the all-time Tiger list past Frank Bolling. Still ahead of Easley are Lou Whitaker (2308), Charlie Gehringer (2206), Dick McAuliffe (918) and Ralph Young (873). ... OF Wendell Magee underwent surgery on his right big toe on Wednesday afternoon

Twins at Mariners
Minnesata: The Twins' five-game losing streak was the longest since they lost eight in a row from Aug. 10-17 2001. ... The Twins are 80-59 this season, but only 35-35 on the road. ... Twins trainer Jim Kahmann said RHP Jack Cressend, who has been on the DL since June 8, has a slight tear of his labrum and might require surgery. In 23 games and 32 innings this season, Cressend was 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA. Seattle: Mark McLemore, the Mariners' versatile utility player, will have surgery on Thursday to remove bone chips in his right elbow. But the Mariners said they hoped to still have McLemore back this season. They said he could return as soon as two weeks. The regular season ends Sept. 29. McLemore left Saturday night's game against Kansas City after he made a diving catch in left field. He had an MRI on Tuesday and then consulted with team doctor Larry Pedegana. McLemore flew to Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday to get a second opinion from Dr. John Conway of the Rangers. McLemore used to play for Texas. Conway will perform the surgery in Texas.

Angels at Devil Rays
Anaheim: OF Tim Salmon, sidelined since Aug. 14 by bruised left hand, is expected to return to the starting lineup on Thursday. "His workout this afternoon was even better than yesterday,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think he's ready. We're shooting for tomorrow (Thursday).'' Salmon should start in right field. ... OF Orlando Palmeiro has seen additional playing time with Salmon being sidelined, and has put together several outstanding performances. He set a career-high with four RBI in Tuesday's 10-2 win at Tampa Bay. Last Saturday he had drove in three runs during a 9-0 victory over Baltimore. "It's very gratifying,'' Palmeiro said. "Anybody that is in the role that I do, you want to perform when you're needed whatever that situation is.'' Tampa Bay: Manager Hal McRae said his choice for AL MVP right now would be either Oakland SS Miguel Tejada or New York 2B Alfonso Soriano. Texas SS Alex Rodriguez is not a top contender because of the Rangers' position in the standings. "I think he the best player, not he's not most valuable,'' McRae said. "He could be player of the year. But MVP, you can't be that valuable when you're on a last place club.'' ... McRae said LHP Joe Kennedy, who missed his last start with a tired arm, will not thrown more than 100 pitches in Thursday's game against Anaheim. ... RHP Travis Harper will start Friday against Texas. Harper is taking RHP Paul Wilson's spot, who is skipping one start with a tired arm.

White Sox at Blue Jays
Chicago: The White Sox have five players with 20 or more home runs. Magglio Ordonez entered Wednesday's game with 31 homers, followed by Paul Konerko (27), Frank Thomas (22), Carlos Lee (22) and Jose Valentin (21). Chicago entered Wednesday's game ranked third in the AL with 181 home runs. ... The White Sox entered Wednesday's game having played 16 of their previous 17 games in under three hours, including six in a row. Toronto: RHP Luke Prokopec will travel to Delaware on Thursday to see Dr. Craig Morgan, an orthopedic surgeon, to have his sore right shoulder examined. Prokopec is on the 60-day disabled list. He hasn't pitched since Aug. 23. GM J.P. Ricciardi said he doesn't regret trading RHP Paul Quantrill and SS Cesar Izturis to Los Angeles for Prokopec, who went 2-9 with a 6.78 ERA. "I'm not a big fan of Izturis. I don't think he's ever going to hit,'' Ricciardi said. "I still like Luke. You don't win eight games in the National League without having a good arm.'' ... Ricciardi doesn't want ace Roy Halladay to pitch too many innings. Halladay has already pitched a career-high 205 1-3 innings. "We need Roy in two or three years when we are contenders. We don't want to burn him out by allowing him to pitch 240 innings,'' Ricciardi said.

Rangers at Orioles
Texas: Manager Jerry Narron is hoping to get some relief work for RHP Rudy Seanez, who came off the 60-day disabled list on Sept. 1 after rehabilitating a tender right shoulder and recovering from surgery to repair a herniated back disc. While Seanez won't be on a pitch count, Narron said the reliever would be limited to an inning an appearance for a while. ... Rookie OF Kevin Mench, a native of Wilmington, Del., who played for the University of Delaware, was not in the lineup for a second consecutive day and has yet to play in Baltimore during the Rangers' only trip this season. Narron hopes to use him as a pinch-hitter Wednesday and hinted Mench might start Thursday. "A lot of times, you learn as much by sitting and watching as you do by playing,'' Narron said. ... Entering Wednesday's game, Texas had homered in 21 consecutive games, tying a club record. The Rangers are the first team in major league history with two streaks of 20 or more homers in one season. The major league record is 25 games, accomplished three times, most recently by the 1998 Atlanta Braves. Baltimore: Manager Mike Hargrove named rookie Sean Douglass as his starter in Friday's game against Anaheim. Rodrigo Lopez will pitch Saturday, but Sunday's starter has not yet been determined. ... Sidney Ponson, making his first appearance since Aug. 9 after a stint on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, struck out the first batter he faced Wednesday (Todd Hollandsworth). ... The Orioles recorded double plays in each of the first two innings Wednesday, running their major league-leading total to 154. ... Despite being sent to the bullpen in the wake of a struggling second half, rookie Travis Driskill remains upbeat. "I look at this not as a demotion; it's just another opportunity to succeed in the bullpen,'' he said.

Red Sox at Yankees
Boston: Pedro Martinez, still bothered by either his right hip (according to manager Grady Little) or his groin (according to the pitcher) probably will miss his second straight turn in Boston's rotation on Sunday. Frank Castillo is likely to pitch against Toronto. ... The Red Sox began Wednesday having outscored opponents 118-53 in the third inning, the largest run differential of any major league team in any inning this season. Boston gave up three Wednesday in the third and scored none. ... With hits in his first two-bats Wednesday, Manny Ramirez was hitting .431 (22-for-51) against Andy Pettitte. ... Beginning with Thursday night's game against Toronto and continuing through the final 14 home games of the regular season, Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park will become a concourse limited to ticket holders. It will contain 11 concession stands. New York: Shane Spencer is still bothered by a sore left hamstring and stretched it in the outfield before the game. "It's the accelerating that's going to get me,'' he said, adding he wanted to make "sure it's healing before I do any accelerating.'' ... Bernie Williams began the night leading the AL batting race at .341, one point ahead of Kansas City's Mike Sweeney. "You look once in a while to see where you're at,'' said Williams, the 1998 AL champion. "It's kind of cool to see your name up there. You can't let it become an obsession.'' ... Jason Giambi on hitting .224 in August (22-for-98, 4 HRs, 15 RBI): "You don't try to concern yourself with it,'' he said. "In your career, you're always going to have one month that you're not going to do well.''

Royals at Athletics
Kansas City: The Royals lost the first game of every month of the season. ... After wrapping up a five-game road trip in Oakland, Kansas City expects to recall 2B Carlos Febles, SS Angel Berroa and OF Brandon Berger before Friday night's game against Seattle at Kauffman Stadium. Febles, who was sent to Triple-A Omaha on Aug. 11, would have continued to collect his $750,000 major league salary if the players had gone on strike in his absence. ... Beginning Friday, Kansas City has a 20-game stretch with 13 home games -- 10 against teams with losing records. Oakland: Frank Menechino, the A's former starting second baseman, is still a fan favorite at the Coliseum. Menechino, recalled from Triple-A Sacramento before Wednesday night's game, waved to several fans chanting his name during batting practice. Menechino was a regular for Oakland last season, and he left spring training as a starter -- but a .210 skid to start the season got him sent to the minors. "Hopefully, I can find a way to contribute,'' Menechino said. ... The A's also recalled LHP Mike Venafro, RHP Aaron Harang, C Cody McKay, C Jason Grabowski and INF Jose Flores. ... Oakland's pitching staff has allowed 117 homers this season -- fewest in the AL. ... RHP Tim Hudson had one of the highest winning percentages in baseball history over the first three years of a career, but he was just 1-2 in his first five starts against the Royals.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Dodgers at Diamondbacks
Los Angeles: Los Angeles has won its season series against Arizona for the first time since the Diamondbacks' inaugural season of 1998. ... Brad Mills of the Dodgers Triple-A team in Las Vegas was named the Pacific Coast League manager of the year after guiding the team to a league-best 85-59 record. ... RHP Kevin Brown made relief appearance in back-to-back games for the first time in his career, striking out the only batter he faced in Tuesday night's 3-2 victory. Arizona: The Diamondbacks have lost three series in a row for the first time since July 21-30 of 2000. ... Going into Wednesday's game, Arizona was 2-6 in the midst of 13 consecutive games against Los Angeles and San Francisco. ... Arizona acquired 37-year-old OF Felix Jose, who hit .383 in helping Mexico City win the Mexican League championship. ... When the Diamondbacks allowed two runs in the first inning Tuesday, it was the sixth time in eight games that the opponent has scored in the opening frame. That doesn't count the 19-1 loss to Los Angeles on Monday night, when the Dodgers scoreless in the first but scored five in the second. ... INF Craig Counsell was in Dallas to see a spine specialist to determine whether he needs to undergo season-ending disk surgery.

Brewers at Cubs
Milwaukee: Manager Jerry Royster is happy to see RHP Ben Diggins and RHP David Pember get their first career starts out of the way. Both struggled in their debuts. "It really is. Today you see a different person, today they talk freer. I don't even know if they all of the guys yet. It is nice to get it out of the way, now we can get on to business,'' Royster said. ... Royster didn't understand a story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that said there is tension in the Brewers clubhouse. "You take 25 guys and put them into a clubhouse and think nothing is going to happen through a course of a year, you are nuts,'' Royster said. The story cites Alex Sanchez and pitcher Ruben Quevedo getting into a fight outside the players' entrance of the stadium. "I promise you one thing whatever happens this year will at least happen next year,'' said Royster. Royster believes that he has a great clubhouse despite being 40 games below .500. "They are grown men, it is great when you have an enough leadership that you don't have to worry about it and I haven't. That's why when I read about all of the junk it is kind of sad actually. People would expect us to be down in out because we are losing.'' Chicago: The Cubs recalled INF Kevin Orie before the game on Wednesday. Orie was labeled as the Cubs third baseman of the future in 1997 and 1998, but things did not work out. He batted .181 in 64 games for Chicago in 1998 before being traded to Florida. Orie didn't decide to come back to the Cubs organization because he thought he had something to show to the fans. "I would never sign just to prove something to the fans. It is all about the opportunity,'' Orie said. "Once you sign with a team you definitely prepare to get back here. If it wasn't in spring training I was hoping sometime this year and I waited to the very end, but I believed I would be back here,'' said Orie. Orie signed a minor league deal with Chicago before the season. ... Although interim manager Bruce Kimm is excited to give Hee Seop Choi a chance to play at first, Kimm understands the importance of Fred McGriff achieving a milestone. With two more home runs McGriff will become the first player in major league history to hit more than 30 homers for five teams. "I want Fred to get his milestones and I think there is a little of an obligation. We want Choi to get some playing time and I want Choi to get some playing time,'' Kimm said.

Marlins at Mets
Florida: The Marlins used five pitchers in each game -- LHP Graeme Lloyd pitched in both -- but manager Jeff Torborg insisted everyone would be available this week, though he couldn't predict how long anyone could go. ... The Marlins don't get much of a break in their schedule, as they play another doubleheader Tuesday in Philadelphia. ... As a result, the Marlins' starting pitcher for Friday's game at Pittsburgh still has not been determined, as coaches are looking to evaluate a new player and give their rotation a rest. ... OF Preston Wilson has seven home runs against the Mets this season, the most of any New York opponent. "He likes coming to Shea, and I'm glad he does,'' Torborg said. New York: LHP Pedro Astacio took the mound Wednesday just 14 innings shy of an incentive point in his contract that will kick in an option for 2003. His $5 million one-year contract, signed in January, has a clause that guarantees him $6 million in 2003 if he pitches 180 innings this season. ... Manager Bobby Valentine said RHP Tyler Walker, recalled Monday from Triple-A Norfolk, will start Saturday's game in Philadelphia. He was chosen in favor of Satoru Komiyama, also recently recalled, and Jeff D'Amico because of their roles in the Mets' bullpen. ... Mike Piazza turned 34 Wednesday, and will celebrate by seeing a hand and wrist specialist on Thursday to examine the tendinitis in his left wrist. Piazza, who hit a pinch home run in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, started at catcher Wednesday. ...The Mets designated INF Oscar Salazar for assignment to make room for OF Esix Snead and LHP Pedro Feliciano. ... Snead, who stole 66 bases for Double-A Binghamton this year, gives the Mets speed, but Valentine saw something else: "I found it interesting that Roger (Cedeno) got his first bunt base hit to the right side on the first day Esix showed up. I found that interesting.''

Reds at Cardinals
Cincinnati: Scott Williamson has not given up an earned run in his last 10 appearances. In 21 games since the All-Star break, he has posted a 1.32 ERA. He has pitched 27 1-3 innings in that span. His ERA was 4.86. He allowed a run in the 3-1 loss Tuesday but the run was unearned. Williamson's error led to the run. "Well, I just made a bad throw,'' Williamson said. "That was the case. When (Fernando) Vina was sliding, he (first baseman Sean Casey) couldn't get his glove over. You know, that's the breaks of the game sometimes.'' ... The Reds are off Thursday before beginning a three-game series at Milwaukee. Elmer Dessens (7-7) will start for Cincinnati while Ben Sheets (9-15) pitches for the Brewers. He has made two starts since coming off the DL on Aug. 26 after sustaining a strained right groin. He lost both starts. He pitched 12 innings and allowed nine earned runs. St. Louis: Reliever Jason Isringhausen will play catch on Friday. He received a cortisone shot Tuesday. When he warmed up last Friday in Chicago, he said he experienced some pain in his right shoulder, which has been diagnosed as tendinitis. Isringhausen has converted 28 of 32 save opportunities. Trainer Barry Weinberg said it will be a day-to-day decision on how quick he comes back after Isringhausen throws on Friday. Manager Tony La Russa said it's possible Isringhausen could pitch this weekend. ... Matt Morris, who is on the disabled list with a pulled left hamstring, threw about 40 pitches before the game Wednesday. "He stepped up his intensity and the number of his throws,'' Weinberg said. "We'll give him tomorrow off and we'll give him some running drills on Friday. He was positive about the pitching part. He felt good about what he did today.'' La Russa said: "It was good to see him throwing. It was his first serious throwing effort. We're going to take it one step at a time. He will throw again Saturday. If he throws well, he could start Tuesday in Milwaukee.'' ... Weinberg said left-hander Mike Mathews is healthy. He can come off the disabled list Thursday. He went on the DL Aug. 21 with a right hip flexor. La Russa said he will start Jason Simontacchi on Sunday against Chicago and send Garrett Stephenson to the bullpen.

Pirates at Braves
Pittsburgh: The Pirates were assured of their first non-losing season against the Braves since 1997. Going into their final meeting Wednesday, the Pirates held a 3-2 series lead. Pittsburgh won the '97 series 6-5. ... The Pirates surrendered only five earned runs in their first 45 innings against the Braves this season. Atlanta: INF Wes Helms expects to have the cast on his injured right thumb removed Monday or Tuesday. He said his recovery is on track. ... OF Gary Sheffield was swinging a bat in the dugout during Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Pirates, lobbying for a pinch-hitting appearance. Manager Bobby Cox told him to sit down. Cox said he won't play Sheffield (sprained left thumb) until a weekend series against Montreal.

Phillies at Expos
Philadelphia: 3B Placido Polanco's .981 fielding percentage leads all NL third basemen. Polanco has made just six errors in 309 total chances. ... The Phillies have lost consecutive games for the first time since losing three straight from Aug. 17-20. Philadelphia had won 10 of 11 coming into this four-game series. Montreal: The Expos improved to 68-70 with Tuesday's 7-6, 12-inning win, tying the most wins the team has had in any of the four previous season. The Expos' next win will assure them of their best season since the 1997 team finished 78-84. Montreal won 68 games last season and in 1999, 67 in 2000, and 65 in 1998. ... 2B Jose Vidro has four straight multihit games. Vidro, who is fifth in the NL with 46 multihit games, is 8-for-19 (.421) over that stretch. ... RF Vladimir Guerrero needs one more intentional walk to break Tim Raines' team record 26 set in 1987. Guerrero tied Raines' record Tuesday.

Rockies at Giants
Colorado: RF Larry Walker returned to the starting lineup after being limited to a pinch-hit role Tuesday because of recurring back spasms. ... The Rockies played the Giants for the 19th and final time Wednesday, having lost the last five meetings. They were swept by San Francisco in four games last week in Coors Field. ... RHP Justin Speier stranded two runners he inherited Tuesday and had stranded a major league-leading 30 of 32 (.938) inherited runners this season heading into Wednesday's game. ... LHP Brian Fuentes has gone a career-best 10 straight appearances without allowing a run. San Francisco: Closer Robb Nen entered the game needing one save to tie Rod Beck for the franchise career record at 199. Beck did it from 1991-97. ... The Giants designated OF Arturo McDowell for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Bill Mueller, who was reacquired by the Giants on Tuesday night from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitcher Jeff Verplancke. Mueller joined the team Wednesday and is hitting .319 in his last 28 games. "It's definitely different, to be gone for a while and to be back,'' said Mueller, who played for the Giants from 1996-2000. "Especially this late in the year, people didn't really expect moves this late.'' ... Starter Livan Hernandez entered the game with a chance for his 10th win, which would give all five Giants starters 10 or more victories -- only the fifth time in franchise history all five starters have won 10 or more. The other rotations to do it were in 1968, 1973, 1982 and 2000.

Astros at Padres
Houston: Roy Oswalt's 18 victories are tied for 10th on the franchise single-season list. In his second big league season, he ranks fourth among all starters since the beginning of the 2001 season with a .780 winning percentage (32-9), ranking behind only Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. ... Billy Wagner's 31 saves mark the fourth-highest total in Astros history. Wagner set the franchise record with 39 in 1999 and matched it in 2001. San Diego: The Padres released RHP Bobby J. Jones because they need his rotation spot to continue auditioning young pitchers on their staff. Jones wouldn't have started again this season and would have gotten little work out of the bullpen, general manager Kevin Towers said. "The likelihood of him getting the chance to pitch much more this year was probably real slim,'' Towers said. "We have several young kids we need to take a look at and help us make some decisions going into the winter and as we put together next year's 25-man roster.'' ... The Padres purchased the contract of right-hander Jason Shiell from Triple-A Portland, putting them in position to extend their major league record of 36 pitchers used in a season. Shiell, 25, will join the Padres in time for Friday's game at Denver. ... San Diego also released OF Trenidad Hubbard.