SUNDAY'S TIDBITS Line of the Day Wade Miller Won his 11th straight decision with a three-hit shutout in the Astros' 8-0 win over the Cardinals. IP H R SO 9 3 0 9 Hero of the day Braves pinch-hitter Javy Lopez connected on a grand slam with two outs in the sixth inning to lead Atlanta to a 6-4 victory over the Marlins. Lopez homered for the third straight game. Goat of the day Pittsburgh reliever Scott Sauerbeck's fielding mistake in the 10th inning allowed Pat Burrell to score the winning run in the 10th inning of the Phillies' 1-0 victory. Injury report Twins OF Torii Hunter sat out a third straight night after pulling a muscle in his rear end while running out a ground ball Thursday. Braves CF Andruw Jones and SS Rafael Furcal, both battling the flu, were held out of Sunday's lineup against the Marlins for the second consecutive game. Rockies LHP Denny Neagle departed today's game in the third inning with tightness in his left forearm. Tigers manager Luis Pujols said infielder Dmitri Young (hernia) and pitcher Mark Redman (dead arm) won't play again this season. Streaks of the day Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa became the third NL player ever to have eighth consecutive 100-RBI seasons. Sosa had three RBI -- thanks to his 46th homer -- in Chicago's 6-0 win over the Reds. Stat of the day The Diamondbacks' Curt Schilling broke the 300-strikeout plateau with eight strikeouts against the Brewers. Schilling and teammate Randy Johnson became the first teammates in major league history to have 300 strikeouts or more in the same season. The last word "Bud Selig couldn't get rid of us. The White Sox couldn't get rid of us. The Cleveland Indians couldn't get rid of us. Here we are, and we're staying.'' -- Twins outfielder Jacque Jones after Minnesota clinched the AL Central title.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
White Sox-Yankees
CHICAGO: When Miguel Olivo came up for his first major league at-bat in the third inning, the game was scoreless and Chicago had runners on first and second with no outs. "It was a situation where we could've had him drop a bunt or swing away. But we felt he had some emotion, some energy, some excitement, and we let him hack,'' manager Jerry Manuel said. Olivo became the 84th player in major league history to hit a home run in his first at-bat. Olivo was promoted straight from Double-A this weekend, having been the MVP of the Southern League championship series. He had four homers and nine RBI in eight games as Birmingham won the title. Olivo hit .306 with six homers and 46 RBI this year for the Barons. He also posted a couple of surprising stats for a catcher -- he led the Southern League with 10 triples and also stole 29 bases. ... The White Sox had won three in a row overall. They were trying for a three-game sweep -- they swept a four-game series at Yankee Stadium in June 2000.

NEW YORK: RHP Mariano Rivera will have a light workout Monday as he continues his comeback from a strained right shoulder. He will pitch batting practice Tuesday at Tampa Bay. ... OF Shane Spencer, who has missed 15 straight games because of stiffness in his left hamstring, said he's ready to play again. Manager Joe Torre wants to give him some at-bats, but might limit Spencer's action in the upcoming series at Tampa Bay to avoid the artificial turf. ... Former Yankees postseason star Jim Leyritz was in the ballpark. He said he's still figuring out what he wants to do next year, possibly announcing or coaching. ... The Yankees pulled off their seventh win of the season when trailing by three or more runs.

Royals at Tigers
KANSAS CITY: Paul Byrd continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season. Saturday's complete-game victory, his seventh of the season, is the most for the Royals since Bret Saberhagen's seven in 1991. It also tied him with Florida's A.J. Burnett for the major league lead. Byrd's 16 wins are the most since David Cone in 1994. ... Kansas City needs to go 8-5 in the season's final 13 games to avoid matching the franchise's worst record. The Royals were 65-97 in 1970, 1999, and last year.

DETROIT: Starting pitcher Mark Redman won't pitch the rest of the season, manager Luis Pujols said. "We don't want to take any chances,'' he said. "It's more important to keep him healthy. I don't see any reason to risk anything now.'' Steve Sparks will replace him in the rotation. ... Dmitri Young, who was to have an audition at third this month, won't play the rest of the season, either. He hasn't played since hernia surgery July 6. ... Reliever Matt Anderson reported no pain after a throwing session Friday, and will throw on the side again Monday. If all goes well, he could be activated Wednesday. "We just want to make sure he is 100 percent,'' Pujols said. ... LHP Andy Van Hekken, who left Saturday's game after he was hit on his pitching hand by a groundball, reported some swelling, but isn't expected to miss a start.

Rangers at Angels
TEXAS: Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro entered with a combined total of 96 home runs. Only four clubs in major league history have had two teammates collaborate for 100 or more in the same season -- the 1927 Yankees (Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, 107), 1961 Yankees (Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, 115), 1998 Cardinals (Mark McGwire and Ray Lankford, 101) and 2002 Giants (Barry Bonds and Rich Aurilia, 110). ... Pitching coach Orel Hershiser, whose record 59-inning scoreless streak in 1988 with the Dodgers has gone virtually unchallenged, said that any pitcher who comes close to it would get the same support from him as he received from the previous record holder, Don Drysdale. Two pitchers have had streaks of 30 or more innings this season -- Pedro Martinez (35) and Cory Lidle (32). "I don't think people talk about it as much because guys don't approach it that often. But it would be interesting and fun to have someone pursue my record because it would allow me to relive all the memories,'' Hershiser said. ... No one attempted to steal second base in any of Kenny Rogers' 30 starts this season coming in.

ANAHEIM: LHP Dennis Cook, who still hasn't been assured of a spot on the playoff roster, has not allowed a run in 16 1-3 scoreless innings spanning his 19 career postseason appearances. "That's part of it, but the bottom line is his effectiveness now,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. "Dennis has to show that he's completely healthy and that he's going to make the roster better. And if he can't cross that road, we're obviously going to be looking for a different makeup of the roster.'' ... The Angels entered game needing one victory to break the 1982 franchise record of 93. Preston Gomez, a third-base coach with the '82 squad, currently is an assistant to Angels GM Bill Stoneman. "The '82 team had more power, but this team has much better pitching, especially in the bullpen. If we had any pitching in '82, we would have won 110 games -- no question about it -- because we averaged about six or seven runs a game. In my opinion, that was the best team the Angels ever had on the field.'' ... Injuries forced Scioscia to go with a patchwork lineup in the series finale. SS David Eckstein was out with a hip flexor, 2B Adam Kennedy had the flu and LF Garret Anderson was sidelined by a strained right hamstring. Anderson, who leads the Angels with 26 homers and 114 RBI, was injured while beating out an infield hit Saturday. ... With 84 extra-base hits, Anderson is one shy of tying the club record that Troy Glaus set two years ago. "The fact that he's not being mentioned for MVP in the league right now is pretty sad,'' closer Troy Percival said. "His numbers match up with the majority of the guys I've seen on that list.'' ... The Angels recalled RHP Lou Pote and RHP Francisco Rodriguez from Triple-A Salt Lake after the Stingers lost the PCL championship series to Edmonton. The Angels also will add INF Alfredo Amezaga and C Sal Fasano to the 40-man roster Monday. To make room, RHP Elvin Nina will be designated for assignment.

Devil Rays at Blue Jays
TAMPA BAY: LHP Joe Kennedy got his club-leading eighth win. ... Kennedy has allowed three runs or less in 30 of his 49 career starts. ... SS Felix Escalona matched a career high with three hits. ... The Devil Rays are 19-44 against the AL East. ... Kennedy committed his ninth error of the season. ... The Devil Rays had 14 hits, 12 singles.

TORONTO: CF Vernon Wells went 0-for-3, extending his career-worst slump to 0-for-24. Wells was robbed of a hit in the sixth when RF Damian Rolls made a sprawling catch on the warning track in right field. ... Toronto lost for the ninth time in its past 11 games against left-handed starters. ... Blue Jay rookies were forced to wear costumes for their trip to Baltimore. Eric Hinske had a cheerleading outfit in his locker. Others had tutus. ... Pinch-hitter Jose Cruz Jr. hit a solo homer in the ninth inning, his first at-bat since returning from the disabled list after missing 33 games with a sprained left ankle. Cruz hit the first pitch he saw.

Mariners at Athletics
SEATTLE: The Mariners had 10 hits, four more than they managed in the first two games of the series. ... Edgar Martinez drew three walks, one intentional. ... The Mariners have never been shut out in three consecutive games.

OAKLAND: Eric Chavez hit his career-high 33rd home run. ... There were four Yankees scouts at the game. ... The team raised $108,226 for breast cancer research on its fourth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day. It will go to the American Cancer Society. ... LHP Ted Lilly, trying to make the postseason roster as the second lefty out of the bullpen, was taken out after three innings because of a blister.

Orioles at Red Sox
BALTIMORE: Four of RHP Jason Johnson's five wins have come on the road. ... Tony Batista reached the 30-homer mark for the third time in his career. He hit 41 in 2000 and 31 in 1999 with Toronto. ... Geronimo Gil went 2-for-4 and is hitting .353 (12-for-34) against the Red Sox this season with four homers and four doubles.

BOSTON: Many cheers went up from the crowd of 31,007 each time the New England Patriots' score was flashed on the center-field scoreboard. "I was batting when they were showing the score, and I thought they were cheering for me,'' said Cliff Floyd, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI. ... It was John Burkett's first loss against an AL opponent after going 5-0. ... Relievers Willie Banks and Dustin Hermanson retired all 14 batters they faced after Burkett's poor start.

Twins at Indians
MINNESOTA: RHP Mike Jackson, a veteran of many postseason clubhouse celebrations, was prepared for the Twins' clinching party. After learning they had won the AL Central, Minnesota's players uncorked champagne bottles that had been on ice for three days. Jackson, who went to the World Series with Cleveland in '97 and the playoffs two other times with the Indians, put on a pair of swimming goggles so his eyes wouldn't get stung by the spray. "It's great seeing all these young guys celebrate,'' Jackson said. "Everybody was going to try and contract us and said this team didn't have what it takes, but a lot of these guys stuck together. We're the underdogs, but I'll take my chances with this team when we get to the postseason.'' ... Minnesota won the Central because it has beaten the Central, improving to 43-21 in the division. ... OF Torii Hunter missed his third straight game with a strained glutius muscle, but he looked healed when he dropped to the floor to show off some of his breakdancing moves during Minnesota's postgame celebration. ... The Twins are the only team in the majors above .500 every day since the beginning of last season. They've had a winning record for 312 games, five shy of the club record set between April 18, 1969, and Oct. 1, 1970.

CLEVELAND: The Indians have been shut out eight times this season. They dropped to 36-42 at home, their most losses ever at Jacobs Field and the most at home since they lost 52 at Cleveland Stadium in 1991. ... Jim Thome's single in the fourth extended his streak of reaching base to 44 straight games -- the AL's longest string this season. ... Ellis Burks has a warning for the AL's other playoff teams: Beware of the Twins. "If they get by the first round, I think their chances are real good,'' Burks said. "You know they'll be tough at home.'' ... 2B Ricky Gutierrez will see a doctor in Florida on Tuesday to set a date for disc surgery on his neck. ... LHP Cliff Lee, who made his major league debut, became the 58th player used by the Indians this season. He is also the 30th pitcher and 14th player to make his debut.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cubs-Reds
CHICAGO: Sammy Sosa wasn't able to drive in any runs in the first three games of the series, but his homer Sunday gave him 102 this season. That allowed him to join Mel Ott and Willie Mays as the only players in National League history to record eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons. ... 2B Bobby Hill was back in the starting lineup Sunday after missing one day with a bruised left hand.

CINCINNATI: Brian Moehler's next appearance for the Reds will most likely be the first of his major-league career in relief. Moehler was activated from the disabled list Friday and is expected to work out of the bullpen, a place he hadn't been since 1995. Of his 241 professional appearances, only three were in relief. "This is going to be different,'' Moehler said. "I'll have to learn how much to throw and when to get loose.'' ... Shawn Estes may not make his next scheduled start Tuesday at Pittsburgh. He is 1-3 with a 7.71 ERA in six starts with the Reds. He failed to make it out of the second inning in each of his last two starts. "I'm fine,'' Estes said. "I've just had two of the worst outings of my career back-to-back, and there's no explanation for it.''

Cardinals at Astros
ST. LOUIS: The more pitcher Woody Williams' strained muscle in his left side improves, the better manager Tony La Russa feels. "We ask him every day how he feels and he's honest about it,'' La Russa said. Williams pitched seven scoreless innings in his last outing, Saturday against the Astros. "He's got excellent control on both sides of the plate with four pitches,'' La Russa said. "That's why he's such a good pitcher.'' Williams has won his last three games since coming off the disabled list Aug. 29.

HOUSTON: OF Richard Hidalgo didn't enjoy his time on the injury list with a right hip strain and he's not having any more fun now that he's off the DL. He aggravated the injury pinch-hitting Thursday against the Cardinals. "I can't run right now,'' Hidalgo said. "I pulled it again hitting and it's very sensitive.'' Hidalgo is hitting .235 with 48 RBI and 15 home runs, far below his breakout year of 2000 when he hit .314, drove in 122 runs and hit 44 home runs. "I've been working so hard batting and running to get better,'' Hidalgo said. "It's tough to accept getting hurt again, but the injury is real sensitive right now.''

Dodgers at Rockies
LOS ANGELES: RHP Kevin Brown will have a bullpen session on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Brown remained in Los Angeles during the Colorado series after experiencing some pain in his back and needed an injection to deal with his discomfort. Brown is scheduled pitch Wednesday in the third game of the San Francisco series. ... Manager Jim Tracy defended Dusty Baker's decision to move RHP Jason Schmidt in the Giants' rotation. Schmidt skipped Sunday's scheduled start against San Diego and will instead start Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. "The move makes sense,'' Tracy said. "The move sets the best possible pitching matchups in the biggest series of the year for both of us.'' ... Tracy said the key to the upcoming series is keeping the Giants' offense under control. "We've done that at their place, but not at Dodger Stadium,'' he said. San Francisco has won five of the six games played in Los Angeles. ... RHP Paul Shuey turned 32 on Sunday. ... Los Angeles is 25-49 when giving up four or more runs. ... Andy Ashby is winless in his last four outings.

COLORADO: Denny Neagle left Sunday's game in the third inning with tightness in his pitching forearm. He will be re-evaluated on Tuesday. ... LHP Mike Hampton experienced a slight setback Sunday in his recovery from a strained ligament in his right foot. Hampton, who missed his scheduled Saturday start, threw off flat ground in the outfield Saturday. On Sunday, he reported soreness. ... Jose Jimenez recorded his 40th save Sunday, making him the first Rockies player to reach that plateau. Earlier this year, Jimenez broke the club's single-season record of 31 saves by Dave Veres in 1999. ... Justin Speier stranded all three inherited runners Sunday and now has stranded a major league-best 33 of 35 (.943) this season. It was the fourth time he has pitched out of an inherited bases-loaded jam. ... The Rockies could open spring training next year with Sandy Alomar Jr., Gary Bennett and Bobby Estalella all in the mix at catcher. "Money will affect our decisions with that position,'' general manager Dan O'Dowd said. ... RHP Shawn Chacon, demoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Aug. 23 after a string of poor starts, was passed over as a September call-up, leaving his future with the organization uncertain. The Rockies have been upset with Chacon's attitude and preparation between starts. Wright told Chacon he "needs to get his priorities straight.'' O'Dowd said Chacon knows that he needs to improve on. "It's up to him to come to spring training prepared to compete for a job,'' O'Dowd said.

Brewers at Diamondbacks
MILWAUKEE: Entering Sunday's game, the Brewers were one loss shy of the club record of 97 set in 1970, their first year in Milwaukee. The Seattle Pilots, the franchise that became the Brewers, lost 98 in 1969, their sole season of existence. ... Milwaukee tied a franchise record with its 50th road loss on Saturday. ... When the Brewers struck out 17 times against Randy Johnson on Saturday, it was the 24th time this season they have struck out 10 or more times. ... SS Jose Hernandez is five shy of the major league record for strikeouts in a season, 189 set by Bobby Bonds, Barry's dad, with San Francisco in 1970.

ARIZONA: The Diamondbacks probably will clinch the NL West title on the road. They begin a nine-game trip on Tuesday with stops in San Diego, Colorado and St. Louis. ... When he struck out 17 on Saturday, it was the 28th time in Randy Johnson's career that he's fanned at least 15. That's three more times than all-time strikeout leader Nolan Ryan accomplished. ... CF Steve Finley has hit safely in 13 of his last 16 games, hitting .356 (21-for-59). In the first five games of the current home stand, he was 10-for-21 with three doubles, two home runs and four RBI.

Mets at Expos
NEW YORK: RHP Pedro Astacio allowed nine runs -- eight earned -- and five hits -- including rookie Matt Cepicky's first career grand slam -- in 3 1-3 innings. Astacio, who struck out four and walked three, is 1-6 in his last seven starts. "In the last month-and-a-half, I don't have the command like I regularly had for the whole year,'' Astacio said. "I've been struggling for a while, walked a lot of guys, got behind hitters and then I had to come in over the plate and the guys hit the pitches that they wanted to hit, and it's going to be really hard to get guys out that way.'' ... Astacio is 0-3 with a 16.54 ERA in three starts against Montreal over the last two seasons. He has allowed 19 earned runs in 10 1-3 innings over that span. ... The Mets have allowed four grand slams this season.

MONTREAL: A crowd of 16,608 was on hand for Montreal's second "Turn Back the Clock'' promotion of the season. The Expos wore their 1980's uniforms featuring the team's distinctive red, white and blue cap. Montreal wore their 1970 uniforms on May 26 as 19,015 came out for a 6-5 win over Philadelphia. ... Former Expos Tim Wallach, Charlie Lea and Dennis Martinez signed autographs before the game. The trio threw baseballs into the crowd as they were driven around the field before making ceremonial first pitches. ... Three rookies -- LF Matt Cepicky, 3B Jamey Carroll and CF Endy Chavez -- contributed a total of eight RBI in the Expos' 10-1 win. Cepicky hit his third homer of the season with the bases loaded and two out in the first for his first career grand slam. He also made an outstanding diving catch on Roger Cedeno's slicing drive to left in the fourth. ... Carroll hit a two-run shot in the fourth for his first career homer to put Montreal up 10-0. ... Montreal won the final three games of the series after losing Thursday's opener 8-2.

Braves at Marlins
ATLANTA: Damian Moss improved to 2-0 against Florida with an ERA of 2.45 in four games. ... The Braves need six wins in their final 15 games to make Bobby Cox the first NL manager to have five 100-win seasons. ... Chipper Jones is batting .367 in 45 day games with 10 home runs.

FLORIDA: Rookie Josh Beckett, who made his first start in three weeks Saturday, felt fine Sunday and is scheduled to pitch again Thursday against Montreal ... A.J. Burnett will likely pitch out of the bullpen again Tuesday and may make his first start since Aug. 18 on Sunday at Atlanta. ... Derrek Lee's steal in the sixth inning Sunday was the Marlins' first since Sept. 8. They lead the majors with 165. ... Florida's Michael Tejera has been pulled from the rotation and will pitch out of the bullpen the rest of the season, manager Jeff Torborg said.

Pirates at Phillies
PITTSBURGH: The Pirates struck out 14 times Sunday, a season high. "That's very disappointing,'' Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "Maybe we would have been better going up there without a bat. Maybe we would have drawn some walks.'' ... Tony Alvarez, who scored the game-winning run in Friday night's 5-3 win over the Phillies, had the first hit of his career on Sunday, a single in the third inning. He was 1-for-4. ... Monday's starter RHP Kip Wells has lost eight of his last 10 starts and has never beaten Cincinnati in three career starts (0-3, 4.22 ERA).

PHILADELPHIA: Tuesday's starter Vicente Padilla is coming off a loss despite pitching eight innings and giving up two runs in a 2-1 decision against Florida last Tuesday. Padilla retired 14 of the final 17 batters he faced in that game. ... With his 40th save on Saturday night, RHP Jose Mesa became the first Phillies player to have two seasons with 40 or more saves. "That's a tribute to Jose and his work ethic,'' manager Larry Bowa said. "If our young kids would emulate him, we would never have to worry about them.'' Mesa had his 39th save on August 30 but had gone 16 games without one. "He was getting fidgety,'' Bowa said laughing.

Padres at Giants
SAN DIEGO: RHP Brett Tomko doesn't have an explanation for his woes. He allowed five runs in the first inning in a 12-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night. He's allowed 13 runs on 18 hits in his last 8 1-3 innings spanning two games. That's on the heels of giving up one run in his previous 17 innings. "I get warmed up; I'm ready for the game,'' Tomko said. "I don't know why it happened in the first inning. I'm as prepared as I always am. Sometimes you just make bad pitches.'' Tomko's season-high for runs allowed is 10 in 3 1-3 innings at Cincinnati on Aug. 9. "He's either been good or he's been off,'' said Padres' manager Bruce Bochy. ... The Padres have scored first in their last seven games against the Giants. That doesn't always translate into success. San Diego is 5-12 against San Francisco this season. ... 1B Ryan Klesko doubled home a run in the first and now has hit safely in 21 of his last 23 games.

SAN FRANCISCO: RHP Kurt Ainsworth made his fourth major league start on Sunday, and his third against the San Diego Padres. He opened the season in the starting rotation but was optioned to Fresno of the PCL on April 24 to make room for Jason Schmidt. Ainsworth led Fresno in wins (8) and ERA (3.41) before his recall. Ainsworth started Sunday to allow Schmidt to open a crucial four-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Monday. ... OF Kenny Lofton singled in the first inning and has now hit safely in seven of his last eight games. ... Giants-Padres games have averaged 3:10 this season, 20 minutes longer than both team's averages against the rest of the league. ... C Benito Santiago is one homer shy of 200 for his career.