INTERLEAGUE

White Sox vs. Cubs
White Sox: The White Sox had won the four previous games at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, dating to 1998. ... Magglio Ordonez, chosen for his second All-Star Game, is showing why. He hit his 20th homer and over his last 26 games has batted .408 with 10 homers and 35 RBI. ... Saturday's game with the Cubs was the first lopsided outcome between the teams this season. The White Sox won two of three one-run games in June at Comiskey Park and took the Friday opener at Wrigley Field 4-2 in 12 innings. ... RHP Sean Lowe strained a muscle in his chest Friday but the injury was not serious and he was available for emergency duty Saturday. ... Jon Garland, in his second appearance since being called up from Triple-A Charlotte, pitched the eighth and struck out two. He was the Cubs' top pick in the 1997 and the No. 10 player taken overall. He was traded across town in 1998 for reliever Matt Karchner, who has struggled with the Cubs and is now in the minors. Cubs: Sammy Sosa has 72 RBI but his homer production is down. His three-run shot in the first inning Saturday was his 22nd and just his fourth in a month. Sosa had 32 homers at the All-Star break last season when he finished with 63. With trade talk dying down, Sosa is hoping to have an even better second half. "Right now everything has calmed down. Now I can play the game and try to be me," he said. "It's not how you start the year, but how you finish." ... Sosa has 151 homers since Opening Day of 1998. ... Jon Lieber's 12 strikeouts matched his career high set May 29 against the Braves. ... Henry Rodriguez's homer was his fourth in the last nine days. Before he began the stretch June 30 in Milwaukee, Rodriguez has not homered in a month.

Braves vs. Red Sox
Atlanta: It didn't take long for 2B Quilvio Veras to shake off the effects of being hit by a Pete Schourek pitch Friday. He left the game with a bruised right forearm after being hit in the top of the second but was back in the starting lineup Saturday. ... Brian Jordan began the day with a .439 batting average against lefties, best in the NL and second in the majors. But he was 0-for-2 Friday against LHP Schourek then doubled Saturday in his first at bat against RHP Ramon Martinez. ... Despite the lack of a regular closer, Friday's win gave the Braves a 44-2 record when they lead after eight innings. Boston: Two pitchers on the DL got in some work before the game, throwing to teammates Morgan Burkhart, Izzy Alcantara and Dernell Stenson, all promoted recently from Triple-A Pawtucket. Pedro Martinez threw three simulated innings and Bret Saberhagen threw 40 pitches. Saberhagen hasn't pitched for Boston since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Martinez, out of action with a strained oblique muscle in his left side, is expected to be activated soon after Tuesday's All-Star game. ... Another ailing player returned to action. Troy O'Leary was back in left field after missing Friday's game with a bruised rib cage. He was hurt in an eighth-inning collision with SS Nomar Garciaparra on Thursday. ... Bernard Gilkey's big splash has turned into a little ripple. In his first game since being picked up from Arizona, he went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI last Tuesday. Since then, he's 1-for-11.

Blue Jays vs. Expos
Toronto: David Wells entered Saturday aiming to become the majors' first 15-game winner. Wells, who is after his eighth straight win, has gone 13-1 since splitting his first two decisions of the season. Wells won a career-best nine straight in 1998 with the New York Yankees. ... Wells has walked just 15 in 121 1/3 innings this season. ... SS Alex Gonzalez missed his second straight start due to a strained right groin. Montreal: Steve Kline made his major league-leading 46th appearance Friday, pitching a scoreless ninth to lower his ERA at Olympic Stadium -- where he has allowed just four earned runs in 29 1/3 innings -- to 1.23. Kline's overall 1.97 ERA is the lowest of any NL pitcher who has pitched 50 innings or more. ... The Expos are just 9-17 in the second game of a series this season. ... LF Rondell White didn't start after leaving Friday's game with a strained right hamstring following the sixth inning.

Devil Rays vs. Marlins
Tampa Bay: Bubba Trammell's triple Friday was his second in five games after hitting just one in his first 234 games. ... Fred McGriff's two homers Friday gives him 35 multihomer games, passing teammate Jose Canseco for the team high and 27th all-time. That ties him with Joe DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg, Lee May and Jim Rice. Only six active players have more: Mark McGwire (64), Barry Bonds (44), Ken Griffey Jr. (44), Sammy Sosa (40), Juan Gonzalez (39) and Albert Belle (39). ... Over their last 33 games, the Devil Rays have led the AL with a 3.76 ERA. Overall, they're 29th in the majors at 5.77. Florida: After going 87 games and 284 at-bats without a home run at Pro Player Stadium, Derrek Lee hit his fifth in the past six games on Friday, a span of 16 at-bats. ... Luis Castillo had his 28th multi-hit game and eighth three-hit game on Friday and in is hitting .420 (29-for-69) in his last 17 games.

Twins vs. Pirates
Minnesota: The Twins have two players in Sunday's Futures game in Atlanta, Fort Myers 2B Ruben Salazar and New Britain LHP Brad Thomas. Salazar replaces SS Luis Rivas (cut left hand). ... The Twins finish interleague play at home following the All-Star break with three-game series against the Cubs and Cardinals. ... By allowing 59 runs in six games, the Twins' ERA rose from 5.07 on Sunday to 5.41 after Friday night's 8-6 loss to Pittsburgh. ... Twins relievers yielded 39 homers in the team's first 88 games. Pittsburgh: Bill Mazeroski was selected by fans to the Pirates' Team of the 1970s, even though he started only one season in the '70s, hitting .229 in 1970. SS Gene Alley also was picked although he was a part-time player by 1971. Also selected were C Manny Sanguillen, 1B Willie Stargell, 3B Richie Hebner, OF Roberto Clemente, Al Oliver and Dave Parker, starting pitchers John Candelaria and Steve Blass and reliever Kent Tekulve. Chuck Tanner was picked over Danny Murtaugh as the manger, although Tanner won one division title to Murtaugh's four. Each won a World Series, Murtaugh in 1971 and Tanner in 1979. ... RHP Jason Schmidt (rotator cuff inflammation) and RHP Rich Loiselle (right shoulder bursitis) are in Bradenton, Fla., working out ahead of rehabilitation assignments that are expected to begin later this month. Schmidt probably won't return to Pittsburgh until mid-August. ... After Sunday, the Pirates don't play again in Pittsburgh until beginning a 12-game home stand on July 21.

Yankees vs. Mets
Yankees: Dwight Gooden is the 17th pitcher the Yankees have used this year and the 10th to start a game. The Yankees used 10 starters and 18 pitchers all of last season. ... After Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader, SS Derek Jeter was batting .373 with 35 runs scored and 24 RBI since returning from the DL May 27. ... LHP Andy Pettitte will start Sunday night on three days' rest in place of David Cone, winless in 11 starts since April 28. "I was in that situation last year and pretty much the year before," Pettitte said. "Coney's a big part of our team. We're going to need him. Hopefully we can get him started in the second half." Pettitte is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA career on three days' rest. Mets: The heart of the Mets lineup -- Edgardo Alfonzo, Mike Piazza and Robin Ventura -- was a combined 1-for-23 in the first two games of the Subway Series. ... RHP Bobby J. Jones is 2-1 with a 2.67 ERA in four starts since being recalled from the minors on June 23. ... LHP Mike Hampton, who threw just 79 pitches in his last outing Wednesday, will start for the Mets on Sunday. He is 2-0 with 3.38 ERA in four career outings on three days' rest.

Orioles vs. Phillies
Baltimore: Jose Mercedes made his first start since April 27 Saturday. Baltimore manager Mike Hargrove said Mercedes will remain in the rotation indefinitely. ... Mike Timlin recorded his eighth save Friday in his first save opportunity since June 25 in Seattle. Philadelphia: 1B Rico Brogna, out since May 11 with a broken bone in his wrist, will began a rehab assignment in Class-A Clearwater on Monday. ... Injured pitchers Robert Person and Mark Holzemer both will throw from the mound Sunday. ... Ron Gant was not in the lineup Saturday after going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Friday.

Indians vs. Reds
Cleveland: A sore left ankle forced 3B Travis Fryman out of the lineup and might force him to miss the All-Star Game. Fryman had to leave the Indians' 14-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds because of pain and swelling in the ankle. X-rays found no fracture, but it's possible he has a tiny crack in a bone. Fryman will wait and see how it feels Sunday before deciding whether to pull out of the All-Star Game in Atlanta. ... Omar Vizquel had the first multihomer game of his career. ... Kenny Lofton's homer extended his hitting streak to seven games. Cincinnati: The Reds honored broadcaster Marty Brennaman on the field before the game. Brennaman will receive the Ford C. Frick Award at Cooperstown later this month. ... Chris Stynes is the second Red to homer in four consecutive games this season. Dante Bichette did it from June 1-4. Johnny Bench homered in five straight in 1972 for the club record. ... Ken Griffey Jr. has 426 homers, tied with Billy Williams for 26th on the career list. ... Scott Williamson, last year's NL Rookie of the Year as a reliever, will make his first major league start Sunday against the Indians.

Tigers vs. Brewers
Detroit: OF Juan Gonzalez (tendinitis in his left ankle) didn't start for the fourth time in the last five games. He is day-to-day. ... The Tigers were 19-22 in one-run games in 1999. They are 12-8 this season. Milwaukee: Manager Davey Lopes is happy with the play of 2B Ron Belliard, who has started all 88 games this season and is batting .285 with six home runs and 36 RBI. "I believe he's going to get better," Lopes said. ... Reliever David Weathers and many of his teammates are happy that closer Bob Wickman was picked for the All-Star Game. "He deserved it last year," said Weathers. Wickman had 37 saves in 1999 and earned his 13th of the 2000 season Friday night. "Hopefully I'll go (to Atlanta) and make an impact," Wickman said. ... In 14 games before Saturday, the five Brewers starters allowed 30 earned runs in 93 innings, a 2.90 ERA. ... Reliever Curtis Leskanic allowed nine earned runs in his first nine appearances, but has surrendered only three in his last 30 games.

Royals vs. Astros
Kansas City: 2B Carlos Febles began a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Omaha and could return shortly after the All-Star break. Febles has been on the DL since June 4, when he injured his left shoulder diving for a ball at Pittsburgh. ... Royals SS Rey Sanchez's errorless streak reached 59 consecutive games Friday. Sanchez has committed only one error and could break the club record for fewest errors by a shortstop (9) by Angel Salazar in 1986 and 1987. ... Kansas City 1B Mike Sweeney leads the AL in hitting with runners in scoring position (.437 entering Saturday's game). Houston: Astros RF Roger Cedeno, on the DL since May 26 because of a fractured left hand, is expected to began a rehab assignment following the All-Star break and could return to the Astros in approximately two weeks. ... Astros switch-hitting rookie C Mitch Meluskey has hit nine homers, all from the left side.

Padres vs. Rangers
San Diego: Of the Padres first 48 losses, 27 were by two runs or less. San Diego lost 17 games by one run, 10 by two runs. ... A total of 43 players appeared in the first 85 games for the Padres. The club record is 48 set in 1991. Of those 43 players, 23 were pitchers. The Padres have sent a major league-high 18 players to the DL this season. Texas: The Rangers will be without two members of their bullpen for the final two games of the series against the Padres. Jeff Zimmerman will be in Brenham, Texas, to attend the funeral of his father, who died of cancer Friday. Francisco Cordero is in his native Dominican Republic because of the death of his grandmother. ... Rangers All-Star C Ivan Rodriguez entered Saturday leading the AL with 225 total bases. Only one catcher has ever led his league in total bases -- Cincinnati's Johnny Bench with 315 in 1974.

Diamondbacks vs. Athletics
Arizona: 3B Danny Klassen, who left Friday's game with turf toe, was not in the starting lineup Saturday, though manager Buck Showalter said he would be available for pinch hitting duties. Klassen had X-rays taken on his right big toe, which were negative. ... 3B Matt Williams, on the DL with a strained right quad, was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class-A High Desert on Saturday. ... 1B Erubiel Durazo, on the DL recovering from right wrist surgery, was also scheduled to begin his rehab assignment on Saturday. Durazo was to play at Triple-A Tucson of the PCL. ... The Diamondbacks reached the 50-win mark faster than either of their two previous seasons. Last year's 100-victory club won its 50th game on July 20. Oakland: A's manager Art Howe announced his pitching rotation to start the second half of the season on Thursday. LHP Mark Mulder will start the first game, followed by RHP Kevin Appier, RHP Gil Heredia, and RHP Tim Hudson, with the spot on July 17 to be determined. Howe made the decision based on Hudson's selection to the AL All-Star team. "He'll probably pitch in the All-Star Game, so this is to be on the safe side," Howe said. "If he doesn't pitch, we could possibly change the rotation" ... RHP Omar Olivares, currently on the DL, is tentatively penciled in July 17, but that could change. "We'll monitor him day to day," said Howe. "We'll see how he progresses." ... 3B Eric Chavez, who snapped an 0-for-20 streak Friday, was not in Saturday's lineup against Arizona LHP Brian Anderson. Chavez is also not expected to start Sunday against Randy Johnson.

Rockies vs. Angels
Colorado: The Rockies are assured of a winning record at the break for just the second time in club history; the last time was 1995. ... After the break, 45 of their remaining 77 games are at Coors Field, where Colorado has the majors' best home record of 28-9. Anaheim: The Angels have four players with 50 or more RBI before the break for the first time in club history (Mo Vaughn 64, Garret Anderson 63, Darin Erstad 62 and Troy Glaus 58). ... Anaheim has set a new team record for homers at the break with 136 so far; the previous mark was 121 in 1996.

Dodgers vs. Mariners
Los Angeles: RHP Matt Herges earned his sixth consecutive win Friday with two scoreless and hitless innings. The streak is the longest by a NL rookie this season and tied for fourth longest by any NL pitcher. ... The Dodgers' 25 road victories are the most in the NL. The Dodgers, St. Louis and Atlanta are the only winning teams on the road this season. ... The Dodgers' 129 home runs this season is second to St. Louis' 146 in the NL. They're on a pace for 249, which would break their Los Angeles record for homers in a season (191) and the franchise record (208) in 1953, when they were in Brooklyn. Seattle: C Dan Wilson, who has been on the DL since June 15 with a pulled muscle in his left side, took his first batting practice Saturday. "It felt good," said Wilson, who was hitting .245 with three homers and 13 RBI in 49 games before he was injured. He is expected back July 16 against Arizona. ... RHP Paul Abbott was given permission to return home to Fullerton, Calif., before Saturday's game. His wife, Yvette, is expecting the couple's fourth child. The couple has two boys and a girl.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Giants vs. Cardinals
San Francisco: Barry Bonds didn't start for the seventh straight game because of a hairline fracture of the tip of his right thumb, but is expected to play Sunday. He struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth and played left field in the bottom of the ninth. ... Livan Hernandez, who starts Sunday, has been one of the Giants' most reliable pitchers recently. He's 7-2 with a 3.78 ERA over his last 12 starts. ... Robb Nen has 202 career saves, passing Bobby Thigpen for 24th place on the career list. ... 2B Jeff Kent, who's been battling illness, left the game after six innings. He said he didn't know whether he'd play Sunday. "I just ran into a brick wall," Kent said. "I was just tired, wore out. This past week has been a tough week." St. Louis: J.D. Drew sat out with a moderately sprained left ankle Saturday and probably won't play Sunday. "He's very sore," trainer Barry Weinberg said. "By Wednesday, we'll have a real good idea if we can get him back in 5-7 days or if it's going to be an extended thing." ... Mark McGwire and Ray Lankford are tied for the Busch Stadium career homer lead at 105. McGwire has played 220 games and Lankford 675. ... The Cardinals have lost three straight, matching their longest slump of the season. ... Mike Matheny has caught 22 of 42 runners attempting to steal and he nailed pinch runner Calvin Murray in the ninth after recovering a pitch in the dirt that got away behind the plate. ... Pat Hentgen starts on three days' rest on Sunday in the final game before the All-Star break. "It's not even a factor," said Hentgen, who threw only 85 pitches in his last start Wednesday. "We've got plenty of guys who can pitch in that game."