AMERICAN LEAGUE

Royals vs. Indians
Kansas City: Going into Thursday night's game, the Royals had scored five or more runs in their last 10 victories and in 18 of their last 19. ... The Royals claimed RHP Andy Larkin off waivers from Cincinnati. To make room, RHP Jose Santiago was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Larkin appeared in three games for the Reds, going 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA. ... C Jorge Fabregas was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed right elbow. C Hector Ortiz, who hit .322 in 68 games, was purchased from Omaha. Cleveland: The Indians entered Thursday's game batting just .250 as a team with runners in scoring position. Last year, the club was one of the AL's best in the clutch, batting .306. "I think it's a matter of us trying too hard and the way pitchers are pitching us," Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. "They're coming at us more than they used to." ... RHP Paul Shuey, sidelined the past two games with back spasms, said he might be back Friday. Shuey, an avid fisherman, said he plans to get in some fishing during the Indians' upcoming 11-game, 14-day road trip. "I always pack some tackle," Shuey said. "I've got a spot everywhere we go." Shuey said he's occasionally joined on the road by pitchers Dave Burba, Tom Martin and third baseman Travis Fryman. ... SS Omar Vizquel went into Thursday's game riding a 93-game errorless streak. The AL record of 95 was set by Cal Ripken in 1990.

Devil Rays-Blue Jays
Tampa Bay: The Devil Rays have never won a series in Canada. They're 0-4 in Toronto and 0-1 in Montreal. ... After starting 0-9 at Yankee Stadium, where the Devil Rays will be this weekend, they have won four of six. ... On Wednesday, the Devil Rays were held to three hits or less for the fourth time at SkyDome. ... 3B Vinny Castilla entered the game with just one home run in his last 180 at-bats. Toronto: The Blue Jays entered the game having homered in 18 straight home games. The team record is 21, previously done this season. ... Toronto manager Jim Fregosi said before the game that he was a four-time All-Star before he earned $22,000. He never had an agent. ... Fregosi is four wins away from 1,000 as a manager.

Tigers vs. Yankees
Detroit: SS Deivi Cruz went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and is batting .517 against the Yankees this season. ... Starter Willie Blair walked a season-high five batters. ... Closer Todd Jones was presented with a Rolex watch by owner Mike Ilitch and president John McHale. "I just about had a heart attack," Jones said. New York: Manager Joe Torre, searching for a replacement for Shane Spencer, started Felix Jose in left field. Jose went 0-for-3 and committed an error that led to Detroit's fourth run. "Until we get some production out of the spot, we'll see what we can put together," Torre said. ... RHP Ramiro Mendoza, sidelined with a sore shoulder, will throw on the side Friday, make a rehab appearance Sunday and could rejoin the Yankees on Tuesday in Baltimore. ... Dwight Gooden, who has made two strong outings since joining the Yankees, starts Friday against Tampa Bay, the team that released him in May. "I've been very pleased," Torre said. "We know he knows how to pitch. He's put hitters at a disadvantage because they've been behind in the count and can't sit on a good pitch to hit."

White Sox vs. Twins
Chicago: RHP Cal Eldred, who went on the 15-day disabled list July 17 with ulnar neuritis on his pitching elbow, had an MRI and bone scan Wednesday. The results were negative. ... The average age of the White Sox roster is 26.6 -- pitchers average 25.6 and position players average 27.5. Five Chicago pitchers are rookies. ... White Sox manager Jerry Manuel and Ron Gardenhire, who is managing the Twins while Tom Kelly is in Florida with his ailing father, were co-managers of the year in the Double-A Southern League in 1990. Manual managed Jacksonville; Gardenhire managed Orlando. Minnesota: Matt Lawton hit .446, fifth-best in the majors, during the stretch of interleague play that ended Tuesday. ... 2B Jay Canizaro is listed as day-to-day with a leg contusion suffered in Wednesday's game. He missed Thursday's 5-1 win over Chicago, but took batting practice before the game. He had to be carried off the field after injuring the leg. ... The Twins hired Julie Idelkope on Tuesday for the newly-created position of director of state and local government affairs. A former Minneapolis Planning Commission member who also has worked for Northwest Airlines (where she worked for new Twins CEO Chris Clouser), Idelkope will be involved in efforts to get a stadium built, said Dave St. Peter, Minnesota's senior vice president of business affairs.

Mariners vs. Athletics
Seattle: Alex Rodriguez, who is on the disabled list with a strain of his right knee, ran Wednesday and was scheduled to run again Thursday. Mariners manager Lou Piniella said an announcement about his status would be made Friday. Oakland: A's Pitcher Omar Olivares, on the disabled list since June 17 with a strained right shoulder, was set to throw about 30 pitches Thursday to test his arm, A's manager Art Howe said. .... The A's have not determined their starter for Saturday, but it could be Barry Zito, the A's first-round draft pick last year who is currently playing at Triple-A Sacramento. "He is a candidate," Howe said. "We have not made a decision, but we are leaning in that direction."

Red Sox vs. Orioles
Boston: SS Nomar Garciaparra went 3-for-5 in the first game of the day-night doubleheader, lifting his average to .403. This is the first time this late in the season a player has been above .400 since John Olerud, then of Toronto, was hitting .402 on Aug. 2, 1993. ... 2B Jeff Frye left the first game in the second inning with lower back spasms. ... OF Carl Everett hit his 26th homer in the opener, a new career high. He also struck out four times. Baltimore: 1B Will Clark hit a grand slam in the first inning of the first game, his fourth career slam and his first since Aug. 20, 1991. ... RHP Sidney Ponson, the first-game loser, is 0-4 in six lifetime starts against the Red Sox. ... OF Brady Anderson got his second start of the season in right field in the nightcap.

Rangers vs. Angels
Texas: Darren Oliver was activated from the 15-day disabled list to start Thursday night's game against Anaheim. No other move was necessary because RHP Esteban Loaiza had been dealt to Toronto on Wednesday for two minor leaguers. ... John Wetteland has allowed walk-off homers this season to Jim Thome, Scott Spiezio and Armando Rios -- all wasting leads -- but has converted eight of his last nine save opportunities to increase his career total to 320 in 379 opportunities. "Those closers are a lot like third base coaches. You either do your job, or you're a bum. There's no in-between," manager Johnny Oates said. "So you've got to be able to handle a few games that you're not able to close -- because we expect him to close every single time. And when he doesn't it shouldn't be devastating. Maybe he handles it better on the outside than he does on the inside." ... When Rusty Greer grounded into a double play in the third inning Wednesday night, it increased the Rangers' major league-leading total to 98. Last season they were fourth in the AL with 147 GIDPs. Anaheim: CF Garret Anderson was scratched from Thursday's lineup because of a mild strain in his left Achilles. He hurt it running the bases the night before. ... Kent Mercker, on the comeback trail from a cerebral hemorrhage that forced him off the Edison Field mound May 11, returned to that spot to throw for the first time since and made 50 pitches. He wasn't happy about his command, but is hoping to return to long relief and spot-start duty by the end of the month or early August after a couple of simulated games and rehab assignments. "My arm feels great and my legs were a little tired, but that's to be expected with the program I'm on," Mercker said. "I'm treating it like I'm competing. I mean, I'm not going 100 percent yet, but I'm trying to get as close as I can without hurting myself. I've got to show I'm healthy and show I can get guys out." ... Tim Salmon was out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game because of inflammation in his left shoulder, but was available to pinch-hit after taking 30 swings off live pitching and 20 more off a tee.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Mets vs. Expos
New York: LHP Mike Hampton lost for the second straight game after going 7-1 over his previous 13 starts. He tied a season high with nine strikeouts in seven innings. ... 2B Edgardo Alfonzo, who went 1-for-3, left the game for pinch-hitter Mark Johnson with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth due to a sore right hip. "It was really painful," Alfonzo said. "I could feel it going back and forth. It was a little tight and after I got the base hit, it got even tighter and during the game it was very sore. I couldn't even stretch it. I tried to loosen it up but it wouldn't." Montreal: C Chris Widger continued his mastery over Hampton, going 2-for-3 with a tiebreaking solo homer and two-run double. Widger is 8-for-12 overall against Hampton. ... RF Vladimir Guerrero ended a streak of 120 consecutive games when he missed his first start of the season due to a strained right hip flexor. ... The Expos fired two coaches following the game: bench coach Luis Pujols and pitching coach Bobby Cuellar. Cuellar, who refused an offer to remain in the organization, will be replaced by bullpen coach Brad Arnsberg and Pujols will be replaced by Jeff Cox, who had been manager at Triple-A Ottawa.

Braves vs. Marlins
Atlanta: SS Walt Weiss left the first game in the sixth inning with a strained right knee. His status is day-to-day. ... Because of Wednesday's rainout the Braves moved their starters up a day. In this weekend's series against New York, Atlanta will start Terry Mulholland on Friday, Greg Maddux on Saturday and Andy Ashby on Sunday. ... Tom Glavine has allowed just one homer by a left-hander this year. Florida: Marlins RHP Brad Penny, who went on the disabled list Wednesday, was diagnosed with a slight internal impingement of the right shoulder. The injury will be treated with exercise and anti-inflammatory medicine. He's expected to resume throwing in 10 days and rejoin the rotation in two weeks. ... C Mike Redmond hasn't made an error this season.

Phillies vs. Cubs
Philadelphia: C Mike Lieberthal appears headed for the disabled list to give him time to heal a sprained left ankle injured in a collision at home plate Monday. Lieberthal was examined in Philadelphia on Wednesday by orthopedic specialist Rob Fredrick. He was to be re-examined Friday. ... 1B Rico Brogna was expected to be activated from the DL on Friday. Brogna has been on the disabled list since May 11 with a fractured ulna bone in his left arm after being hit by a pitch. However, manager Terry Francona said Pat Burrell will continue to get the majority of playing time at first. Chicago: Manager Don Baylor said he'll discuss the team's future in a meeting soon with Andy MacPhail, who has taken on the general manager duties following the resignation Wednesday of Ed Lynch. Baylor has asked his coaches for a "wish list" of 10 players they would want added to the team. ... LF Gary Matthews Jr. was scratched from the starting lineup because of a bruised right thigh injured in a collision at home plate Wednesday. He did pinch-hit in the eighth. ... The Cubs optioned LHP Daniel Garibay to Triple-A Iowa and recalled RHP Kyle Farnsworth after the game. ... Minor league RHP Ben Christensen, the Cubs' No. 1 draft pick in 1999, was in Chicago on Thursday to be examined by team physicians. He underwent an MRI Wednesday and will be shut down for at least a week before he resumes throwing because of tendinitis in his right shoulder. Christensen went 4-2 with a 2.10 ERA in 10 starts at Class A Daytona before being promoted to Double-A West Tennessee, where he was 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in seven starts.

Pirates vs. Brewers
Pittsburgh: Brain Giles hit his fourth home run in 34 games after hitting 19 in his first 60. ... Giles walked three times after his homer. ... RHP Jose Silva has not pitched a complete game in 41 career starts. Silva had gone 0-2 in six starts since his previous win, which was in relief. Milwaukee: 1B Tyler Houston was ejected in the third inning after being called out on a close play at first base. Angel Echevarria, acquired on waivers Wednesday from Colorado, made his Brewers, replacing Houston. ... Brewers OF Mark Sweeney, on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left rotator cuff, will begin a 20-day rehab assignment Friday at Triple A Indianapolis.

Reds vs. Astros
Cincinnati: RHP Scott Sullivan has been suspended for an on-field brawl and shortstop Barry Larkin is apparently playing his final games in a contract dispute, but manager Jack McKeon's pulse is calm. "I've been putting out brush fires since I got here," McKeon said. "I probably have a Smokey Bear hat. I can handle it. I see no difference in our club from opening day. It's a challenge. We talk about rumors but we can't worry about that." Houston: The outfield will get a bit crowded when CF Roger Cedeno returns to the lineup from the disabled list within the next couple of weeks. Shuffling may be necessary with Moises Alou, Richard Hidalgo, Lance Berkman and Daryle Ward vying for playing time. "He (Cedeno) needs to play and we need to evaluate his play," Dierker said. "It will force me to make a decision about Berkman, Hidalgo and Alou. You really don't want to take any one of them out because you're taking power out of the lineup. We'll probably have to juggle it for a week or so."

Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks
St. Louis: Jim Edmonds, the last left-handed hitter to homer off Randy Johnson, sat out Thursday aginst Johnson. Edmonds hit two homers off Johnson on Sept. 23, 1997. ... The Cardinals avoided their second three-game stretch without a homer when Eduardo Perez hit only his second this year. St. Louis went three games without one on June 1-3. Perez was activated from the DL on Sunday after Mark McGwire went on. ... Kile has worked at least seven innings in 12 of his 21 starts. Arizona: Arizona's staff, bolstered by Randy Johnson's 221 strikeouts, leads the NL with 715. Only Cleveland, the major league leader, has more (721). ... The Diamondbacks will take 10 minor leaguers to the Hall of Fame Game vs. Cleveland on Monday. They are pitchers Nick Bierbrodt, Jody Fuller, Bill Pulsipher, Troy Brohawn, Saul Montoya and Beltran Perez, INFs Esteban Beltre, and OFs Chip Sell, Tim Olson and Luis Terrero. ... The game was the first non-holiday midweek day game in Arizona's three-year history. The outdoor temperature was 106 degrees at game time, but it was 79 degrees inside with the roof closed.

Padres vs. Giants
San Diego: RHP Donne Wall has not allowed an earned run in 8 1/3 innings, spanning seven appearances, since returning from the disabled list July 2. Wall, who got the victory on Wednesday night, allowed his first three hits since May 30. ... 1B Ryan Klesko, who hit .102 against left-handers for Atlanta last year, has 14 hits in his last 48 at-bats (.292) against lefties. ... OF Eric Owens recorded his first three-hit game since June 24 on Wednesday. ... C Wiki Gonzalez doubled Wednesday to end an 0-for-16 slump since the All-Star break. San Francisco: OF Ellis Burks remained out of the lineup for a second straight day because of a knee ailment. Giants manager Dusty Baker indicated he hopes Burks will play Friday when San Francisco embarks on its longest road trip of the season, playing 12 games in four cities. The Giants return home Aug. 3. "Two weeks is a long time, especially on the road," said Baker. "Heck, my (2-year-old) son could be driving by the time I get back. You can't go home and regroup. You have to keep it together on the road." ... Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti is unable to visit the mound during games because of a broken right toe he suffered while catching RHP Scott Linebrink on Monday. Righetti has been using a bat to get around. ... RHP John Johnstone went on the 15-day disabled list after Wednesday night's game with pain in his lower back. He received a cortisone shot before Thursday's game. Linebrink, who was sent down earlier in the week to make room for RHP Miguel Del Toro, was recalled to take Johnstone's spot.

Rockies vs. Dodgers
Colorado: Leadoff hitter Tom Goodwin, whose 38 stolen bases entering the game were second-highest in the majors, returned to the Rockies' lineup after missing two games due to a mild groin injury. He said he could have played Wednesday night. ... 3B Jeff Cirillo, hitting .335 with 10 homers and 70 RBI, was replaced in the starting lineup by Terry Shumpert. "The nature of the game at Coors Field, it can really suck the energy out of you," manager Buddy Bell said in explaining the move. Bell said he will be very careful about giving his players days off the rest of the season. 2B Mike Lansing, rested Wednesday night, was back in the lineup. ... Kevin Brown and Mike Fetters combined to hold the Rockies to one hit and an unearned run Wednesday night. A day earlier at Coors Field, the Rockies beat Oakland 18-3 on a season-high 21 hits. The Rockies, 30-13 at home and 17-32 on the road before Thursday night's game, had lost 11 straight before beating the A's twice. Los Angeles: OF Devon White, sidelined since suffering a partial tear in his left rotator cuff over 2½ months ago, was scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment Thursday night in San Bernardino, and may be activated this weekend. "When he returns, he's going to be brought back gradually," team spokesman Julio Sarmiento said of White. "He'll be sharing time with Todd Hollandsworth." ... Reliever Gregg Olson, who has appeared in only two games because of a strained right forearm, pitched one scoreless inning for Albuquerque of the PCL on Wednesday night, and figures to make another minor league appearance within a few days. Olson has been on the disabled list since April 11. ... The Dodgers entered the game with 135 homers this season. They're on a pace to hit 235 -- well above the Los Angeles record of 191 set in 1977 and the franchise mark of 208 set in 1953 when the team played in Brooklyn.