THURSDAY'S TIDBITS Line of the Day Todd Walker Four hits came in his last four at-bats, including a three-run, tiebreaking double in the eighth that gave the Reds the lead for good. AB H R RBI 6 4 1 4 Hero of the day Cut by the Marlins in spring training, Joe Roa wanted to prove to them he belonged in the majors. Mission accomplished. Roa missed his first career shutout by three outs Thursday, pitching the Phillies to a 6-1 victory over Florida. Goat of the day The Devil Rays defense. Where to start? In the Red Sox's four-run ninth inning, Esteban Yan blew his AL-high eighth save, aided by a misplay in which Chris Gomez had a bloop single bounce off his glove, then 1B Steve Cox inexplicably cut off Gomez's throw home for a forceout, and then dropped the throw to ruin his chance of a play at any other base. Tampa Bay dropped to 48-98, the worst record in the major leagues. Injury report Yankees 1B Jason Giambi left with a bruised right wrist after being hit by a pitch, and was listed as day to day. Rockies LHP Mike Hampton will miss his next start, on Saturday, because of a sprained right ankle and foot. Dodgers pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, hit in the forehead by a line drive last weekend, was improving Thursday, three day after surgery to remove bone chips from his nasal passage. The Dodgers announced that Ishii, who will leave the hospital Friday, will not pitch again this season. Twins OF Torii Hunter left in the fourth inning with a strained backside. Rockies OFs Larry Walker (sore left arm) and Jay Payton (strained right oblique muscle) were not in the lineup against the Dodgers. Streak of the day Baltimore's Mike Bordick tied Cal Ripken's AL record for shortstops with his 95th straight game without an error. Rey Ordonez holds the major league mark of 101 games. Stat of the day The Cubs got 22 hits in a nine-inning, 15-12 loss to the Reds. The previous major league team to get 22 hits and lose a nine-inning game was Oakland on April 27, 1980, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The last word "It was my fault. I was on the moon. I don't know what I was thinking.'' -- O's OF Melvin Mora, who misplayed Rondell White's flyball in the first inning, letting it drop for a two-run double. The Yankees went on to score five runs in the inning and beat the Orioles 7-3, dropping Baltimore to 1-18 since it reached .500 on Aug. 23.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
White Sox-Royals
CHICAGO: The White Sox have homered in 11 straight games and 20 of 21. ... Chicago is 19-9 when Willie Harris or D'Angelo Jimenez bat leadoff. The White Sox were 40-46 when Kenny Lofton was the leadoff hitter. ... Chicago's Double-A Birmingham club won 10-1 at Jacksonville to take a two-game lead in the best-of-five Southern League championship series. The series resumes Friday at Birmingham. Miguel Olivo hit his fourth home run in the playoffs for the Barons.

KANSAS CITY: OF Chuck Knoblauch still has trouble running in spikes and has not played since Aug. 31 because of an injured big right toe. ... Mike Sweeney, who leads the American League in hitting, has a .400 average this season against Detroit. The Royals play their next four games against the Tigers. ... Reliever Jason Grimsley has a 15.43 earned run average in September, allowing 12 hits and eight earned runs in 4 2-3 innings. ... RHP Jeff Suppan, who starts Friday at Detroit, is 0-8 with a no-decision in nine starts since a July 17 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Mariners-Rangers
SEATTLE: After going 4-for-4 Thursday, C Dan Wilson is hitting .528 (19-for-36) against the Rangers this season. Wilson, who is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, is hitting .309 overall. ... While Wilson batted eighth, No. 9 hitter Mike Cameron also reached base all four at-bats Thursday, with two doubles and two walks. ... A 7-3 loss at Texas, which ended a four-game sweep, was only the second time in 19 Thursday games this season the Mariners lost.

TEXAS: 2B Michael Young snapped an 0-for-14 slump with a home run in the first inning against Seattle on Thursday. It was also his second homer in a week after going 69 games without a homer. ... RHP Chan Ho Park has won five straight starts, his longest winning streak since going 4-0 in five starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers from May 25-June 15 last season. In his last 11 starts, he is 6-2 with a 4.24 ERA, lowering his season ERA from 8.01 to 5.96.

Twins-Indians
MINNESOTA: Manager Ron Gardenhire said he is trying to keep team emotions on an even keel as the Twins near their first postseason berth since 1991. "We're getting excited, but this team has handled things well all season and not gotten too tense,'' the first-year manager said. The Twins entered play Thursday night with a magic number of three for clinching the AL Central title. ... 1B Doug Mientkiewicz said the Twins have used the Indians as motivation to succeed this year and would love to clinch during a four-game series in Cleveland. "After watching them win it year after year, it would be nice to do it here,'' Mientkiewicz said. ... OF Bobby Kielty said the venue does not matter to him. "At home would be special, but Cleveland, Detroit, wherever,'' he said. "Just as long as we do it.'' ... RHP LaTroy Hawkins kept the clubhouse loose by nailing OF Dustan Mohr in the face with a shaving-cream pie during a TV interview. ... RHP Jack Cressend, sidelined since June 10, had surgery on his right shoulder by Dr. James Andrews on Thursday.

CLEVELAND: Interim manager Joel Skinner said he is confident that OF Matt Lawton will be ready to start spring training on time. Lawton, bothered since April by a separation in his right shoulder, is expected to have surgery soon. ... LHP Alex Herrera was recalled from Double-A Akron. "He's on the roster, so let's take a look at him,'' Skinner said. When Herrera does get in a game, he will become the 11th Indians player to make his major league debut this season. ... Indians players said they will try to keep the Twins from clinching at Jacobs Field. "Not here,'' 3B Travis Fryman said. "They are going to do it, but I hope not here.'' Said OF Karim Garcia: "Minnesota is the best team in the division this year, but we don't want them celebrating in our house. Let them go do it at home.'' ... Cleveland has used 54 players, one short of the team record set in 2000. ... The Indians have hit nine grand slams, most in the majors, and three short of the team record set in 1999.

Orioles-Yankees
BALTIMORE: Though he was activated from the disabled list on Wednesday, OF Gary Matthews Jr. may not play again for another week. He injured his right wrist on Aug. 22 and has been sidelined by tendinitis. With only a few weeks left in the season, the Orioles don't want to risk rushing him back. ... The Orioles were trying Thursday night to avoid getting swept in a four-game series at Yankee Stadium for the first time since 1987. ... The Orioles were at .500 on Aug. 23, but then lost 17 of their next 18 games.

NEW YORK: RHP Mariano Rivera threw 35-40 pitches off a mound in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday and will rejoin the Yankees on Friday, though no timetable has been set for him pitching in games. The All-Star closer was put on the disabled list for the third time this season on Aug. 19 because of a strained right shoulder. "He still hasn't thrown the ball 100 percent, but he was up there today,'' manager Joe Torre said. Rivera will next throw on Saturday, perhaps to hitters. ... Normally mild mannered, 3B Robin Ventura had calmed down Thursday, a day after being ejected by plate umpire Angel Hernandez for disputing a called third strike. "I was disagreeing with him. I didn't like it,'' Ventura said. Ventura didn't have to worry about seeing Hernandez again Thursday night -- a new umpiring crew was in town.

Red Sox-Devil Rays
BOSTON: RHP Pedro Martinez (left hip-groin) was fine one day after pitching six innings in his first start since Aug. 28. "He had normal stiffness like after any other start,'' manager Grady Little said. "Nothing at all to get anybody alarmed about.'' Martinez is scheduled to start Monday against Cleveland. "I got my work in,'' Martinez said. "I'll be ready to go.'' ... Should the Red Sox picked up the 2003 option on RHP Tim Wakefield, Little wants him to remain in the starting rotation. "It wouldn't hurt my feelings at all to go through a winter and a spring training knowing that he's going to be one of my five starters,'' Little said. Wakefield said he would like to stay with Boston. ... RHP Rolando Arrojo (back) will probably be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday. ... Martinez (18-4) and Derek Lowe (19-7) are on pace to give the Red Sox two 20-game winners in the same season for the first time since Mel Parnell (25-7) and Ellis Kinder (23-6) in 1949.

TAMPA BAY: Manager Hal McRae doesn't like to hear the jokes made about the Devil Rays -- who have the majors worst record -- on TV, but knows there is just one way to end it. "You have to win enough games to stop the negative talk,'' he said. "That's part of the deal. You don't like to hear it. You can't get angry.'' ... McRae has seen enough improvement in Aubrey Huff's play at first and third base that he no longer projects him strictly as a DH next season. "He's shown he deserves in play in the field, which is a plus for him,'' McRae said. ... The Devil Rays are expected to call up several players when Triple-A Durham ends the International League playoffs this week. RHP Dewon Brazelton is expected to make a couple starts for the Devil Rays. Other candidates include OF Rocco Baldelli. ... Tampa Bay, at 48-98, is 50-games under .500 for the first time in team history.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs-Reds
CHICAGO: Matt Clements' scheduled start against the Reds Saturday still was up in the air. Clements has been plagued by back spasms recently, and manager Bruce Kimm was awaiting the results of a throwing session Thursday before making a decision. Kimm said he had a candidate in mind to replace Clements, but he wouldn't reveal it. ... Kevin Orie was in the starting lineup Thursday for the second consecutive game. "There are two reasons,'' Kimm said. "One, I want to see what Orie can do, and with (Steve) Smyth going, there could be a lot of groundballs. Also, (Mark) Bellhorn has played (almost) every day since I took over (July 5).''

CINCINNATI: The Reds announced that veteran Jose Rijo will start the final game at Cinergy Field Sept. 22 against Philadelphia. "I was going to start lobbying today,'' Rijo said. "It's more than an honor. It's more than a dream come true. It's like the World Series, the playoffs, or opening day. No, it's bigger than the World Series.'' ... Rookie Wily Mo Pena made his first major league start in left field Thursday ... Ruben Mateo started in center field, despite being hitless in his last 17 at-bats and plagued by a sore left knee that had bothered since he was hit by a pitch from Steve Kline on Sept. 4 at St. Louis.

Marlins-Phillies
FLORIDA: RHP Josh Beckett returned to the mound on Wednesday night after missing 20 days with a blister on his right middle finger. He retired all six batters he faced, striking out two. ... RHP Carl Pavano will pitch in his 100th game when he starts Friday's game against Atlanta. Pavano is making his fifth start as a Marlin after being traded. Against the Braves in his career, Pavano is 0-1 with a 6.16 ERA. ... The Marlins are 22-33 lifetime against the four Atlanta starters -- Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Damian Moss and Kevin Millwood -- they will face in their upcoming series. In addition, the Braves have won seven of their last nine with Florida.

PHILADELPHIA: Friday's starter LHP Hector Mercado will make his second start in a week after spending most of the season in the bullpen. On Monday, he went four innings against the New York Mets in order to allow Randy Wolf and Vicente Padilla to pitch in Tuesday's doubleheader with Florida. Mercado, who made 25 appearances out of the bullpen for the Phillies and 26 in Triple-A, allowed just one hit in that start. ... Mercado was originally scheduled to start on Saturday but RHP Brandon Duckworth is experiencing back spasms and had his start pushed back a day to allow him time to rest.

Mets-Expos
NEW YORK: RHP Jason Middlebrook made his first career start against Montreal in his Mets debut Thursday night. Middlebrook, acquired from San Diego on July 31, was 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA in 12 games with the Padres earlier this season. He was 4-6 with a 4.48 ERA in 15 games in Triple-A, including a 2-1 record with a 2.66 ERA with the Mets' Norfolk affiliate. ... 1B Mo Vaughn was a late addition to the Mets starting lineup. Ty Wigginton was taken out of the lineup after Vaughn, who had missed six straight starts because of a sprained left wrist, pronounced himself fit to play after taking batting practice. Vaughn is 6-for-9 (.667) with a double, two home runs and two RBI against Expos starter Tomo Ohka. ... RHP Pat Strange was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday. Strange, 22, joined the team here and was in uniform for the opener of the Mets' four-game series against the Expos. He went 10-10 with a 3.82 ERA in 29 games -- including 25 starts -- with Norfolk this season.

MONTREAL: The Expos wore small Canadian flags on the left side of their caps for Thursday night's game in honor of Canadian victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. According to the Canadian Press, 24 Canadians were killed as a result of the attacks. ... The Expos will wear their 1980's uniforms on Sunday as part of their second "Turn Back the Clock'' promotion of the season. The team wore the white uniform, which featured red and blue stripes across the shoulders and along the length of both sides of the jersey and pants, from 1980-91.

Cardinals-Astros
ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals have a 25-21 record against teams with winning records and are 59-40 against teams with losing marks. ... Jim Edmonds brings a career .423 (30-for-71) batting average at Minute Maid Park into this series. He has hit .371 (52-for-140) against the Astros all-time.

HOUSTON: Lance Berkman is only the fifth switch hitter in major league history to have 40 or more home runs. The others were Mickey Mantle (1956, 1958, 1960, 1961), Chipper Jones (1999), Todd Hundley (1996) and Ken Caminiti (1996). ... Wade Miller's 10-game and Roy Oswalt's nine-game winning streaks represent the first time in franchise history that two players have had concurrent streaks of nine or more games.. It's also the first time since two payers have had seven-game or better streaks since Darryl Kile and Mike Hampton accomplished that in 1997.

Dodgers-Rockies
LOS ANGELES: RHP Kevin Brown did not make the trip to Colorado and received an injection in his lower back. "We left him at home because we saw no need to fly him to Colorado to play catch on the side when he could do that at home,'' manager Jim Tracy said. "The injection was due to some of the residual soreness that he's had. I was told that 75 percent of the people that have his type of surgery will have a flare-up of some kind.'' Tracy said Brown is on course to pitch next Wednesday against San Francisco. ... Los Angeles got some welcome news concerning LHP Kazuhisa Ishii, who was hit in the forehead by a line drive last Sunday. He will be released from the hospital Friday. "Good news for everyone in this room,'' Tracy said. "He is progressing the way you would want him to progress. We will not entertain the thought of pitching him the rest of the season.'' ... 3B Adrian Beltre comes to Colorado in a 1-for-13 slump and had Tracy shaking his head. "The tools are there for Adrian to become a premier player. One of the things of becoming a premier player is when you get into a situation like he has been in of late, how capable are you of digging yourself out of it?'' ... INF Dave Hansen was practicing fly casting behind third base with equipment he purchased. Hansen and RHP Andy Ashby plan a to go fishing on Friday morning. "I have the fever,'' Hansen said.

COLORADO: A pregame rainstorm laced with hail dumped 2 inches of precipitation in a span of 45 minutes. ... Outfielders Larry Walker (sore left arm) and Jay Payton (strained right oblique muscle) were out of the lineup Thursday night. Manager Clint Hurdle said Payton's injury was the most serious, calling his return "indefinite.'' Hurdle also said LHP Mike Hampton will miss his scheduled start on Saturday. Hampton has a sprained right ankle and foot. Victor Santos (0-3) will start in Hampton's spot. Santos started seven games for the Detroit Tigers last season. ... 1B Todd Helton returned to the lineup. Helton left Wednesday night's game in Houston after taking a hard grounder off his left kneecap. ... As the Rockies (66-80) began their last homestand of the season, Hurdle said he wanted his team to "play real crisp baseball. I'd like to see us pitch well, have some quality at-bats and play good defense. I want us to go out there and take it to the other club. We've got nothing to lose.'' Hurdle said he has repeatedly told his players it is important to build momentum through this month and the off-season. "We're accountable, we're responsible for every game we play,'' he said. ... The Rockies play contenders the rest of the season, prompting Hurdle to say, "You've got to come out and be aggressive or you're going to get steamrolled, you're going to get embarrassed. We want to knock those teams off going down the stretch, to send somebody else home when we've got to go home.''