WEDNESDAY'S TIDBITS Line of the Day Javier Vazquez Vazquez retired 20 of the first 21 batters he faced en route to his 12th career complete game. IP H ER K 9 3 1 10 Hero of the day Luis Castillo was 4-for-5 with a home run -- extending his hitting streak to a team-record 23 games -- in a 2-1 victory over the Phillies. Goat of the day Tigers starter Adam Bernero lasted only 2 2/3 innings, giving up 10 hits, nine earned runs and three walks in an 11-0 loss to the Red Sox. Injury report Brewers outfielder Alex Sanchez left before the start of the eighth with a bruised left hand, but is expected to be available Friday at Pittsburgh. Rockies starter Kent Mercker had to leave after a comebacker to the mound split the webbing next to his left index finger. The cut was severe enough that he was scheduled for surgery Wednesday night. The Rangers put CF Carl Everett on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 3 because of a strained hamstring. Diamondbacks SS Julio Lugo strained his right groin while holding back on a called strike. Streak of the day After throwing six strong innings to become the AL's first nine-game winner, Boston's Derek Lowe extended his homerless streak to 104 innings. Stat of the day Giants slugger Barry Bonds hit a monster grand slam in a 12-2 victory over the Padres, taking sole possession of fourth place on the career home run list with 587. The last word "It looked pretty bad to me. I could see my bones and my ligaments and my tendon, so that's probably not a normal thing.'' -- Rockies pitcher Kent Mercker, whose left hand was cut by a comebacker in an 8-6 victory over the Dodgers.

AMERICAN LEAGUE NOTES
Red Sox at Tigers
Boston: Manager Grady Little credits Carlos Baerga with more impact on Boston's record than can be seen in his statistics. "Having Carlos is like having another coach,'' he said. "When he walks in the door, everyone knows it, because you can hear him from 50 feet away. He perks up the clubhouse.'' ... Derek Lowe, a native of suburban Detroit, started in his hometown. ... 2B Rey Sanchez was out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row with tightness in his right hamstring. He is day-to-day.

Detroit: Dmitri Young was in the starting lineup at first base for the first time since coming off the disabled list on May 14. He had been limited to DH duties because of a hernia. "We need to ease him in there, because when we play National League teams, he'll have to play there every day,'' manager Luis Pujols said. "We'll see how he feels each day and go from there.'' ... Bobby Higginson was back in left field after missing Tuesday's game after having a wisdom tooth pulled. Higginson, who is also battling a nagging hamstring pull, has a 13-game hitting streak.

Devil Rays at Blue Jays
Tampa Bay: The Devil Rays will play 15 straight games against NL opponents starting this weekend, including their first ever games against teams in the NL West. Tampa Bay will host San Diego and Los Angeles and then go on a nine game road trip to Florida, San Francisco and Colorado. ... Tampa Bay is 28-42 all-time in interleague play. ... Minor league SS Ramon Solar, who was designated for assignment on Monday, was claimed by the New York Mets on Wednesday. ... LHP Lee Gardner, who was designated for assignment on June 1, has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Durham.

Toronto: Bench coach Cookie Rojas and pitching coach Mark Connor decided to quit the Blue Jays on Wednesday, two days after manager Buck Martinez was fired. New manager Carlos Tosca was disappointed by their decision. "I'm a little unhappy because I have tremendous respect for both men,'' Tosca said. C Darrin Fletcher wasn't surprised. "I knew that Mark was upset after Buck had been fired, and Cookie came out of retirement for Buck,'' Fletcher said. "They decided to stay loyal to Buck.'' General manager J.P. Ricciardi said the Blue Jays won't be hiring a bench coach to replace Rojas. Ricciardi said there really isn't a need for a bench coach in the AL. "It's a luxury in the AL. It's a necessity in the NL,'' Ricciardi said. "You don't have to do a double switch in the AL.''

Orioles at Yankees
Baltimore: Travis Driskill, a 30-year-old rookie, had never faced anyone on the Yankees before Wednesday's game. ... After committing just 30 errors in their first 55 games, the Orioles made three Tuesday night.

New York: RF Juan Rivera was called up from Triple-A Columbus and given the every day job. Gerald Williams was released and Shane Spencer and John Vander Wal were sent to the bench. "We're not looking for him to be a savior. We don't need a savior. We're leading the majors in runs scored.'' ... LHP Andy Pettitte (left elbow tendinitis) will make a rehab start at Double-A on Thursday and could rejoin the rotation next week. "It's great to be back up here,'' Pettitte said. "I wish I was ready to start up here tomorrow. I just have to get my pitch count up.''

Indians at Twins
Cleveland: The Indians were trying their best Wednesday to forget about their 23-2 loss to the Twins the night before, which tied franchise records for largest margin of defeat, most earned runs allowed and hits allowed. "Can't think about that anymore,'' said manager Charlie Manuel. "Ain't nothing you can do about it.'' ... LF/3B Russell Branyan, who's in a 9-for-57 slump, was on the bench for the second straight night. He's not hitting well lately, but another reason is the play of rookie OF Chris Magruder, who's 7-for-16 in his last five games. ... Veteran RH reliever Mark Wohlers was one of the hardest-hit pitchers in Tuesday's blowout. He's got an 8.59 ERA in 22 innings and righties are batting .385 against him. "From a talent standpoint,'' Manuel said, "he's got everything you want in a pitcher. He needs to be more aggressive inside. I like his stuff. It just seems like they're hitting everything he throws up there.''

Minnesota: On the second day of the amateur draft, the Twins took a familiar name in the 38th round: shortstop Toby Gardenhire, son of manager Ron Gardenhire. The younger Gardenhire plays for Westark Community College in Arkansas. ... C A.J. Pierzynski has a team-high four triples. According to the Twins' media relations department, he is one of only 10 left-handed hitting catchers who've had four triples in a season since 1952. Tim McCarver's 13 triples in 1966 is the modern day record for catchers. ... INF Denny Hocking, who had to leave Tuesday's game with a strained groin, was still sore Wednesday but available in an emergency. ... The 23 runs the Twins had Tuesday night was a higher score than the Minnesota Vikings managed in 11 of their 16 NFL games last season. They were held under 20 points 10 different times.

Royals at White Sox
Kansas City: RHP reliever Jason Grimsley had an MRI test Wednesday on his oblique. His status remains uncertain. Results are due back Thursday.

Chicago: In the last week the White Sox have been struggling at the plate, and manager Jerry Manuel believes that teams throughout the league are catching up to their tendencies. "The league has made an adjustment to us and now it is time for us to readjust.'' ... 2B Ray Durham has already surpassed his error total of 10 last season. Durham made his 11th error of the season at second base Tuesday night. "Up until last week I thought he did a pretty decent job out there, but he had a couple of balls that he struggled with in Cleveland,'' said Manuel. "We will just try to do a good job to get him back to basics and hopefully he responds.'' ... The White Sox picked Anthony Manuel, son of manager Jerry Manuel in the 48th round of the draft.

Rangers at Angels
Texas: The Rangers put CF Carl Everett on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 3, due to a strained hamstring. This is the second time this season that Everett has been on the DL. He missed May 5-21 with a strained calf muscle. ... The Rangers called up OF Ryan Ludwick from Triple-A Oklahoma. Calvin Murray started Wednesday and IF Jason Romano has filled in occasionally, but Texas manager Jerry Narron plans to get Ludwig into the lineup. Summarizing the center field scramble, Narron said, "Calvin Murray is a good defensive player but has struggled on offense. Romano hasn't gotten a chance to play. We're going to give Ryan Ludwick a chance to play.'' ... Narron hoped Everett would make a speedy recovery, but was guarded in his optimism. "With our history, it seems hamstrings always take more time than expected to heal.'' ... Rafael Palmeiro, who has been plagued by a strained calf took the day off. "I don't know if it will help, but it definitely can't hurt,'' Narron said of sitting Palmeiro.

Anaheim: With the Los Angeles Lakers playing in the first game of the NBA finals in the Staples Center in Los Angeles, a light crowd was expected for Wednesday night's game. Angels manager Mike Scioscia his players have been keeping tabs on the NBA team. "The players are absolutely fans,'' Scioscia said. "When you play baseball, with the daily grind, it doesn't allow us to have more than a passing interest. We catch the scores though.'' Scioscia said several players were able to make it to an NHL game when the team visited Toronto in early May.

Mariners at Athletics
Seattle: Chris Snelling's bad luck with injuries continues. The rookie outfielder, who made his major league debut on May 25, sustained a probable torn ACL in his left knee on Tuesday night, effectively ending his season. He was placed on the 60-day DL before Wednesday's game. He was sent to Seattle for an MRI. His season ended early at Class A San Bernadino last year when he fractured his right ankle in late August. Snelling, who played for Australia in the 2000 Olympics, spent two separate stints on the DL that season, once with a fracture in his left hand, the other with ligament damage in his left hand. ... OF Eugene Kingsale, one of four players from Aruba to have played in the majors, was recalled from Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League to take Snelling's place. Kingsale has 194 career major league at bats with an average of .242. He played 10 games with the Mariners last year and was used in all three outfield positions. ... OF Ichiro Suzuki was back in the leadoff spot after spending the past two games batting third.

Oakland: The Athletics had their pitchers bunting during batting practice on Wednesday in preparation for interleague play which begins Friday. "I want them to be able to bunt the ball,'' said A's manager Art Howe. "They don't need to swing away.'' ... 2B Esteban German, recalled from Sacramento of the PCL on May 21, hasn't played in the last four games and may be shipped back to the Rivercats. "He needs to play,'' said Howe. "Me and Billy (GM Beane) are discussing the situation now. We want to make sure we make the right move.'' ... OF John Mabry, acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies for Jeremy Giambi on May 22, has four hits with the A's, all for extra-base hits. "He's had a big hit every game he's started,'' said Howe. "He's another veteran guy who knows how to swing the bat. He's another option.''

NATIONAL LEAGUE NOTES
Dodgers at Rockies
Los Angeles: Manager Jim Tracy said ace Kevin Brown was feeling better on Wednesday, but he would remain in the hospital with lower back pain for at least another day. He said Brown will be re-evaluated on Thursday. ... SS Cesar Izturis and OF Brian Jordan were out of the starting lineup Wednesday to rest injuries. Izturis came out of Tuesday's game with a sore left hip and Jordan continues to be bothered by a sore left knee. "Izturis woke up with soreness in the hip that continued to get sore as the game went on so we decided to let him rest and pick it back up on Friday,'' Tracy said. "In Jordan's case, his knee was very sore on Monday and I thought it was necessary to get him off the knee for a little bit.'' ... 45-year-old Jesse Orosco got the win in Tuesday's 10-4 victory over Colorado, making him the oldest pitcher to win a major league game since Charlie Hough tossed a shutout for Florida in 1994 at the age of 46. It was also his first win since July 19, 1998. at Anaheim while with Baltimore. ... Tracy has decided to go with RHP Andy Ashby and lefties Kazuhisa Ishii and Odalis Perez for the upcoming series with Baltimore. "We'll keep the lefties together because we have three lefties in the rotation and with the lack of off days you don't want to constantly make adjustments,'' Tracy said. "You run into a roadblock with the schedule and you don't want to pick on the same guy where he gets seven days in between starts. I don't think it is healthy so we will stay where we are at.''

Colorado: RHP Shawn Chacon will be activated from the DL and start the finale of the three-game series in Toronto on Sunday. Chacon, who has been out with a strained pectoral muscle, will take Denny Stark's place in the rotation. Stark, who had been on one of the team's most effective starters _ 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA _ will move to the bullpen. "The idea is with Stark, we now have a guy out there can back up or fill in if any of the starters falter,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. "Stark has proven an ability to throw strikes, keep the ball down and get quick outs. I told him we are a better ballclub with him pitching.'' ... OF Benny Agbayani was activated before Wednesday's game and Hurdle immediately put him in the lineup. "I had Benny in the lineup right away,'' Hurdle said. "He's had some success against (Dodgers starter) Omar Daal.'' Agbayani responded with two hits, including a grand slam in the fourth inning off Daal. ... Hurdle was still trying to figure out who to use as a DH when interleague play starts Friday in Toronto. "I have a lot of DH candidates,'' Hurdle said. "We have a player here (Larry Walker) who likes to DH and then there guys like Greg Norton and Terry Shumpert that need to get some at-bats.''

Pirates at Expos
Pittsburgh: The Pirates, who have an off day on Thursday, are playing their 27th game in 27 days as they complete a six-game road trip. After winning two of three in St. Louis to begin the trip, Pittsburgh has a chance to win its second straight road series after ending a four-game losing streak at Olympic Stadium with a 5-2 win Tuesday. ... Through Tuesday, the Pirates' .232 team average was the worst in the majors. Pittsburgh hitters are batting just .238 (107-for-449) with runners in scoring position.

Montreal: The Expos also have an off day on Thursday and RF Vladimir Guerrero and SS Orlando Cabrera did not start as manager Frank Robinson took the opportunity to give his workhorses two consecutive days off. Guerrero had started each of Montreal's 58 games while Cabrera, who played all 162 games in 2001, had started all but one this season while appearing in each game. ... Robinson also rested C Michael Barrett. ... OF Brad Wilkerson made his first major league start in right, the fourth position he has started at this season. Wilkerson has made 35 starts in left field, 11 in center, and two at first base. INF Mike Mordecai made his second start at shortstop. ... Despite Tuesday's loss, the Expos have won eight of their last 11 home games. Montreal is 18-11 at home this season, but just 10-19 on the road. The Expos begin their interleague schedule Friday with their first trip to Comiskey Park to begin a three-game series against Chicago.

Giants at Padres
San Francisco: In sweeping the three-game series, the Giants outscored the Padres 26-6. They beat the Padres 11-3 Monday night. The Giants have won four in a row by a combined score of 35-8.

San Diego: Starter Brian Tollberg had "Tommy John'' reconstructive surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday. Doctors used a tendon from his left hamstring to repair his elbow. ... RHP Matt DeWitt had shoulder surgery. ... Padres bench coach Rob Picciolo, who had surgery Monday to repair an aneurysm in his descending aorta, was moved out of the intensive care unit to his own room on Wednesday. The Padres don't expect him back for at least a month.

Mets at Braves
New York: C Mike Piazza will be the DH in one of the upcoming interleague games at Cleveland and Chicago, but manager Bobby Valentine isn't sure which one. "I think it would be a good idea for other guys to get some playing time, too. We'll see how it matches up.'' ... Edgardo Alfonzo, who wasn't in the Mets lineup Tuesday night with a sore left hand, was back at third base. "It's amazing what a day off will do,'' Valentine said. Alfonzo originally hurt his hand diving for a ball in the second game of the season, then reinjured it in Florida last weekend. He entered the game with only one homer in 189 at-bats. ... OF Tony Tarasco on being called up from the minors for the second time this season: "I think Bobby (Valentine) liked the way I play the game. I don't think he expected that. When I got called up the last time, I knew I wouldn't be there for long _ it was just because Mo (Vaughn) was hurt. I just try to work every opportunity to do something to show I belong here. And I want to beat those damn Yankees!'' Tarasco briefly played for the Yankees.

Atlanta: P Kevin Millwood can't figure out why he struggled so much in his last outing. On Monday, the right-hander was knocked out in the fourth inning after begin staked to a 4-0 lead in the first. "I just felt kind of dead all over,'' he said. "Just one of those days.'' Millwood is off to a disappointing start (3-5, 4 .66 ERA). ... IF Mark DeRosa still has a protective boot on his injured right ankle, but he's been able to work in the indoor batting cage. DeRosa was especially pleased with the way he swung the bat Wednesday.

Marlins at Phillies
Florida: C Ramon Castro, on the disabled list with a strained muslce in his right elbow, began his rehab in an extended spring training game on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI in five innings. ... The Marlins should be excited at the prospect of Interleague play beginning on Friday. Since its inception, Florida has the best interleague record in baseball, going 51-33. ... Either RHP Hansel Izquierdo or LHP Michael Tejera will move from the bullpen to start against Minnesota on Sunday. RHP Josh Beckett will miss the start after aggravating a blister on his right middle finger on Tuesday.

Philadelphia: Manager Larry Bowa will be inducted into the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame on June 18. Bowa began his career with Spartanburg in the Class A league in 1966, with a .312 batting average in 97 games. ... The Phillies selected Ryan Howard as minor league player of the month for May and Ryan Madson as the pitcher of the month. In the month, Howard hit .357 (41-for-115) with six doubles, three triple, four homers and 25 RBIs for Class A Lakewood in the South Atlantic League. Madson, was 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA in six May starts with Double-A Reading of the Eastern League.

Cardinals at Reds
St. Louis: The rainout prompted manager Tony La Russa to scramble his weekend pitching plans. The Cardinals originally planned to start Bud Smith on Friday in the opener of a series at Kansas City. Instead, they'll go with Darryl Kile, Matt Morris and Jason Simontacchi against the Royals, saving Smith for the first game against Seattle on Monday. ... When La Russa put together his lineup before Wednesday's game was called, OF Jim Edmonds was on the bench again. Edmonds hasn't played since spraining his right wrist last Friday. ... RHP Woody Williams will start the final game of the abbreviated series Thursday afternoon. Williams is 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA in six career games against the Reds and has won his last four decisions against them since May 16, 1999. He beat the Reds 7-3 on May 20, pitching six scoreless innings. ... La Russa on Simontacchi, a 28-year-old rookie who is 4-0: "One of the things that has really impressed me is when he does something good, he doesn't go nuts or bounce off the ceiling. He stays on same level. That's one of the things you look at in measuring consistency.''

Cincinnati: The Reds optioned right-handed reliever Luis Pineda to Triple-A Louisville and activated right-handed reliever Jose Silva from the 15-day DL. Pineda made the team in spring training and went 0-3 with a 3.33 ERA in 24 appearances. "Pineda needs to work on the command of his fastball,'' manager Bob Boone said. "We told him it's not permanent and that we're going to need him.'' ... Silva had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow on March 4. He started Tuesday night for Louisville as part of a medical rehabilitation assignment and gave up four hits in three scoreless innings. He had exceptional control, throwing 30 strikes out of 42 pitches. He also made nine relief appearances for Louisville. ... C Kelly Stinnett worked out at Cinergy Field on Wednesday, an off-day for Louisville. Stinnett is on a rehabilitation assignment, recovering from tendinitis in his right elbow. He's hitting .259 in 11 games. ... RHP Jimmy Haynes will pitch against the Cardinals on Thursday. He's 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA in two starts against St. Louis this season.

Cubs at Brewers
Chicago: The Cubs play for the first time in Seattle, beginning the sixth season of interleague play Friday. The Cubs are 37-36 in interleague play. ... Two of the four active players who rank in the top 26 on the all-time home run list are with the Cubs _ Sammy Sosa, 21st with 470, and Fred McGriff, 26th with 457. McGriff needs five more to tie Jose Canseco, 23rd with 462, and eight more to tie Dave Winfield, 21st with 465. ... Rookie RHP Mark Prior (1-1, 5.74 ERA) makes his fourth start Friday against the Mariners.

Milwaukee: The team now has two .300 hitters with rookie CF Alex Sanchez climbing to .302. RF Jeffrey Hammonds started Wednesday's game batting .322. ... Although leading the majors in strikeouts with 73 in 58 games, SS Jose Hernandez has improved his batting average to .294. The Brewers believe Hernandez and 1B Richie Sexson (.280, 15 HR, 50 RBI) are their prime All-Star candidates. ... RHP Chad Fox, who was on the disabled list from spring training to last Saturday with a sprained elbow ligament, said he isn't concerned about being the closer. "I'm just happy to get back on the field to contribute,'' Fox said. "I'm not one to go in there and say 'I want to be the closer.' Whatever role they need from me, I'll go out there and try to do the job.''

Astros at Diamondbacks
Houston: RF Richard Hidalgo has had at least two hits in each of the first five games of the Astros' road trip. During that span, he is hitting .600 (12-for-20) with six RBIs. ... Houston has committed errors in consecutive games for the first time since May 10-12. ... When this eight-game road trip concludes with three interleague contests in Oakland, Houston plays 12 of the next 16 at home in newly renamed Minute Maid Field. ... SS Julio Lugo is 6-for-15 to start a game in the 16 times he's batted at the top spot since May 15.

Arizona: The Diamondbacks optioned LHP Eddie Oropesa to Triple-A Tucson and recalled RHP Mike Koplove. Oropesa had allowed 11 runs in his last six appearances. Koplove was 1-2 with a 1.17 ERA at Tucson. ... RHP Todd Stottlemyre threw 30 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday and reported no ill effects. He's been on the disabled list since May 2 with weakness in his pitching shoulder. ... RHP Curt Schilling is scheduled to go against Boston's Pedro Martinez Saturday in the second game of Arizona's three-game interleague series at Fenway Park.