AMERICAN LEAGUE

Royals vs. Tigers
Kansas City: OF Johnny Damon was 7-for-17 (.411) in the four-game series at Detroit and is batting .389 (.14-for-36) against the Tigers this year. He's 28-for-53 (.528) since the All-Star break and has 19 hits in his last seven games. ... RHP Jerry Spradlin had allowed five runs in his previous 13 relief appearances covering 20 innings before the Tigers tagged him for five runs in the seventh inning Sunday. ... Cs Gregg Zaun and Hector Ortiz were 8-for-18 against the Tigers. Detroit: 1B Hal Morris, obtained in a cash deal with Cincinnati last week, was 2-for-4 Sunday and is 5-for-17 in five games with the Tigers. ... 3B Dean Palmer committed two errors Sunday and has 16 for the season. ... RHP Erik Hiljus was recalled from Triple-A Toledo and 1B Eric Munson was optioned to Double-A Jacksonville. Munson, the Tigers' top pick in the June 1999 draft, was called up when Tony Clark went on the DL last week and was 0-for-5 with one RBI in three games.

Orioles vs. Blue Jays
Baltimore: Mike Mussina has one win in his last seven starts. ... Mussina has four complete games this season, tying him with David Wells and Pedro Martinez for the AL lead. ... Mussina is 3-6 lifetime at SkyDome. ... Charles Johnson struck out three times, twice with the bases loaded to end innings. Toronto: The Blue Jays have homered in 15 straight games. ... OF Shannon Stewart is hitting .363 when leading off the first inning. ... Nine of Carlos Delgado's last 10 hits have been for extra bases. ... Billy Koch has converted his last 13 save opportunities ... RHP Joey Hamilton, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, made his second rehab start for Triple A Syracuse on Saturday. Hamilton gave up two runs on six hits in five innings.

Devil Rays vs. Yankees
Tampa Bay: The Devil Rays haven't won two straight since July 13-14. ... Tampa Bay is 6-13 in July following the best month in franchise history, 15-11 in June. ... CF Gerald Williams has 23 RBI in 23 games. ... LF Greg Vaughn is hitting just .118 (2-for-17) in his career against Denny Neagle. New York: SS Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to a season-high 11 games. ... The Yankees failed to homer for the first time in 10 games since the All-Star break. ... Paul O'Neill's season-high 11-game hitting streak and David Justice's 10-game streak both came to an end. ... The Yankees are 25-8 all-time against Tampa Bay.

White Sox vs. Red Sox
Chicago: Players in the last three spots in the lineup came to the plate 10 times Sunday against Pedro Martinez and struck out seven times. Carlos Lee fanned twice, Herbert Perry three times, and Mark Johnson and Brook Fordyce, who pinch hit for Johnson in the eighth, once each. ... Despite the 1-0 loss, Chicago's 32-20 road record is the best in baseball. It's 22-9 in its last 31 road games. ... Mike Sirotka has allowed just one run in four of his last six starts. ... The White Sox said Martinez wasn't overpowering early. "He's obviously pretty tough and he didn't even have his best stuff," first baseman Paul Konerko said. ... Chicago outhit Boston 6-5 and lost for just the sixth time in 46 games in which it had more hits. Boston: Of the nine outs Martinez recorded in the last three innings, seven came on strikeouts. ... The win gave Boston its third straight series victory at Fenway Park. ... Manager Jimy Williams' tendency to tinker with his lineup nearly cost Boston the game. For the first time this season, he put Ed Sprague in the cleanup spot. Sprague was batting just .203 since being obtained from San Diego on June 30. But in his previous 23 at bats before Sunday he had eight hits. On Sunday, he went 0-for-4 and left five runners on base, three of them in scoring position.

Indians vs. Twins
Cleveland: The Indians will travel to Cooperstown, N.Y., to meet Arizona in the annual Hall of Fame exhibition game Monday. The team will call up seven minor leaguers to join the team for the game. LHP C.C. Sabathia will be called up from Double-A Akron to start. ... 2B Roberto Alomar, who missed the Twins' series with a sore left ankle, is expected to rejoin the team in Toronto. ... The Indians continued to struggle against AL Central teams. Going into Sunday's game, Cleveland had a 15-25 record against AL Central foes. They have a winning record against the other two divisions and had a winning mark in interleague play. Minnesota: The Twins recalled left-hander J.C. Romero from Triple-A Salt Lake City and placed RHP Mike Lincoln on the DL. Lincoln left Saturday's game with a sore elbow. Romero, who was with the team in spring training, had a 4-2 record in 65 1/3 innings with the Buzz. ... Manager Tom Kelly, who rejoined the team Friday after tending to his ailing father, started managing again. Ron Gardenhire, normally the third base coach, had a 6-4 record as interim manager. Kelly watched part of Saturday's game from the bench and the remainder in his office but Gardenhire ran the game. ... The Twins will have a say in the tight Eastern Division race this week. They start a three-game series Monday at Boston before returning home Thursday to start a four-game set against the Yankees.

Rangers vs. Mariners
Texas: Manager Johnny Oates is sounding like someone who is looking more at the Rangers' future than their present. After Saturday's 13-5 loss to the Mariners, Texas was in last place 11½ games back of Seattle in the AL West. It was the largest deficit for the Rangers since the end of the 1997 season, when they finished in third place. "We're certainly not as good as we played in May and certainly not as bad as we've played the last seven ballgames," Oates said. "We're somewhere in between. We're going to take some bumps and bruises." Seattle: Manager Lou Piniella said he expects All-Star SS Alex Rodriguez to be back Tuesday against Oakland. Rodriguez could be used as a pinch-hitter Monday night against the Athletics. "He needs one more day of catching groundballs, especially to his left," Piniella said. "But hitting-wise he's ready to go." Rodriguez, who has been on the DL since July 14 because of a sprained right knee, agreed with Piniella's decision. "There's a lot of baseball left to be played," he said.

Angels vs. Athletics
Anaheim: 1B Mo Vaughn has been hit by a pitch in three of the last four games after being hit by Mark Mulder to lead off the sixth. ... With his single in the fifth, Darin Erstad has 161 hits through 99 games, keeping him on pace to beat George Sisler's all-time season mark of 257 hits set in 1920. Oakland: LHP Barry Zito, who made his rookie debut for the A's on Saturday and got his first big-league win, came up to Oakland when he signed last year in mid-June and was asked to shag in the outfield. "I told myself, I'd like to be here in a year, give or take a couple of months," he said. "I had a timetable in mind, but I didn't tell anybody." ... The A's put together three consecutive games without an error for the first time this season.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers vs. Cubs
Milwaukee: Manager Davey Lopes was ejected after arguing a called third strike called against Jose Hernandez to end the eighth. "The umpire needs to look at that pitch again," Lopes said of home plate umpire Ian Lamplugh. "We make mistakes and are held accountable. They're the only people who aren't. Just say, 'I messed up.' Rarely, if ever, do they say that." ... Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker was the guest conductor for "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch. ... Jeff D'Amico, who is 4-0 with a 0.29 ERA in July, will start Tuesday against Pittsburgh. D'Amico's ERA is the lowest monthly mark since Roger Clemens had a 0.28 ERA in April 1991. Chicago: Manager Don Baylor said he's not surprised by RF Sammy Sosa's recent hitting streak. "He said he was more relaxed and would be the Sammy of old and that we can count on him and he hasn't disappointed," Baylor said of a recent 15-minute conversation with Sosa. Sosa's streak ended Sunday when he went 0-for-4. He batted .344 with eight homers and 17 RBI during the streak. ... RHP Kyle Farnsworth was available but did not pitch as a precautionary measure. Farnsworth landed in an awkward position on the mound Saturday and jammed his shoulder. His status was day-to-day.

Phillies vs. Pirates
Philadelphia: Curt Schilling is 5-2 with a 2.00 ERA, 11 walks and 52 strikeouts in his last eight starts. Manager Terry Francona said, "His last six or seven starts have been pretty good, but he's coming back from (shoulder) surgery and he still has to find himself at times from inning to inning." ... Schilling has complete games in three of his last four starts, yet lost two of those complete games, 2-1 to Baltimore on July 7 and 3-1 to the Yankees on Tuesday. ... ... With four RBI Sunday, Tom Prince matched his season total. ... The Phillies avoided their sixth sweep of the season by winning. The Pirates haven't swept the Phillies since Sept. 18-20, 1992. ... The Phillies finished 5-6 on a road trip against the Blue Jays, Yankees, Cubs and Pirates. Pittsburgh: Pirates GM Cam Bonifay said he remains intent on signing C Jason Kendall to a long-term contract, though Kendall has not yet signed a reported $60 million, six-year offer. Bonifay said, "I would love nothing better than to sign Jason Kendall." Kendall is signed through next season. ... Todd Ritchie has yielded 19 homers, two more than he did in winning 15 games last season. ... Phillies C Prince's three-run homer in the second inning Sunday was the first scoring against a Pirates starting pitcher in 21 innings. ... The Pirates will announce plans Tuesday for the final series in Three Rivers Stadium, against the Cubs on Sept. 29-Oct. 1. The Cubs also were the Pirates' last opponent in Forbes Field, which closed in June 1970.

Expos vs. Marlins
Montreal: Fernando Seguignol had an error for the second straight game when he allowed a single by Luis Castillo to go between his legs in left. On Saturday, Seguignol misplayed a fly ball in right. ... Expos RHP T.J. Tucker will visit with Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Monday to receive a second opinion about possible surgery on his right elbow. ... RHP Carl Pavano, who has been on the DL since June 25 with tendinitis in his right triceps, threw on the side Sunday and is scheduled to throw batting practice for Class-A Jupiter on Wednesday. Florida: RF Mark Kotsay left the game in the fourth inning with lower back spasms. ... Florida continues to feel pressure from fans to trade for Orioles catcher Johnson, who grew up in south Florida and was part of the Marlins' World Series team in '97. "I have no control over a trade," said Johnson, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season. "That's out of my hands. But if I'm a free agent, it's certainly somewhere I would consider." ... LF Cliff Floyd had fluid drained from his knee Sunday morning and missed the game. The Marlins are off Monday, and Floyd is expected to play Tuesday against the Braves. ... Luis Castillo extended his hitting streak to 15 games after hitting a leadoff single.

Diamondbacks vs. Reds
Arizona: Brian Anderson had not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last six starts before giving up five in five innings Sunday. ... Diamondbacks pitchers have given up hits to opposing pitchers in eight of their last 10 games, letting them go 8-for-19. ... Arizona stranded 34 runners during the three-game series, including 13 in each of the first two games, matching its season high. Cincinnati: Jack McKeon got his 256th win as the Reds manager, moving him one ahead of Lou Piniella for 11th on the club's list. Piniella led the Reds to a World Series championship in 1990. ... Mike Bell, called up on July 12, made his first start at third and singled twice for his first major league hits. Bell is part of the first three-generation family to play for the same team -- his grandfather Gus and father Buddy also played for the Reds.

Mets vs. Braves
New York: 2B Edgardo Alfonzo missed his third straight game with a sore hip. Alfonzo said he was feeling better, but not good enough to rejoin the lineup for the final game of a weekend series against the NL East-leading Braves. ... INF Kurt Abbott, on the DL with inflammation in his lower back, is on the verge of rejoining the roster. "By the end of the week, there's no reason why I shouldn't be on a rehab assignment or playing here," said Abbott, who went on the DL June 30. ... The Mets played all three games against Atlanta without three-fourths of their starting infield. 3B Robin Ventura is on the DL with a bruised rotator cuff and SS Rey Ordonez is out for the year with a broken arm. Atlanta: The Braves are in first place in the NL East, but they are struggling against their four division rivals. Before Sunday's game, Atlanta was 15-16 against the Mets, Phillies, Expos and Marlins -- a major change from their first six years in the East. The Braves were 23-16 in 1994, their first season in the revamped division, followed by marks of 31-21 in '95, 32-20 in '96, 29-19 in '97, 30-18 in '98 and 35-18 last year.

Cardinals vs. Astros
St. Louis: The Cardinals weren't at full strength for Sunday's series finale with the Astros. Mark McGwire is still recovering from tendinitis in his right knee. J.D. Drew is on the DL with a left ankle injury. Eduardo Perez had an excused absence to see his father Tony inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ray Lankford was not in the starting lineup after returning from attending his brother's funeral. Lankford entered the game as a sub. Manager Tony La Russa would not complain. "It's had zero effect," he said. "We beat Chicago and nobody said anything about who was missing. We played a good lineup." Houston: As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, every move is scrutinized. So when Daryle Ward showed up in left field and Moises Alou shifted to right field on Saturday, was it showcase time? "Everyone is showcased, because the scouts are watching everyone," Ward said. "I don't think they would put someone out there just to showcase them. They might, but I don't think they would. I don't think about that. I'm just trying to keep things as simple as I can so that I can be successful."

Padres vs. Rockies
San Diego: 1B coach Alan Trammell missed Sunday's game to attend Sparky Anderson's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. ... LF Al Martin, who played 8½ seasons with Pittsburgh, has a prediction about the future manager of the Pirates. "It's going to be Tommy Sandt next year. He's been there a long time, come back and has a great relationship with the players. ... The Padres had 12 hits Friday and 11 on Saturday and Sunday after hitting .217 in their previous 21 games. ... Donne Wall earned his first save since June 24, 1998 against Seattle. Colorado: The Rockies are 4-2 in extra inning games, 2-1 at home. ... LHP Gabe White has his own view of the status of the Rockies. "I think we are done with the little funk that we went through. It seems like old times around here again." ... Pedro Astacio is 2-4 with five no-decisions in his last 11 starts. ... The Rockies filed a protest at the end of the eighth inning when Eric Owens ran on the field to replace Kory DeHaan at the start of the Colorado eighth only to return to the dugout before a first pitch was thrown. "I understand the rule that when somebody takes a position in the field that he has to stay in the game," Colorado manager Buddy Bell said. "Apparently, there is a loophole. The protest is still intact."

Giants vs. Dodgers
San Francisco: RHP Joe Nathan, who went on the DL July 14 with an inflamed pitching shoulder, is doing well. "Joe threw yesterday and will throw again tomorrow," trainer Stan Conte said. "He has absolutely no pain." Conte said the Giants will be cautious with Nathan since this is the second time this season he's had the same problem. ... The Giants entered Sunday night's game with a 15-4 record in July and were 35-20 since going 18-22 to start the year. ... The Giants scored 97 runs in their first 19 games this month, getting four or more in every game but three. ... OF Ellis Burks, who was rested Saturday, returned to the lineup with a 12-game hitting streak. He had 20 hits in 39 at-bats in the 12 games. Los Angeles: OF Devon White, sidelined since partially tearing his left rotator cuff May 3, was activated from the DL. To make room, the Dodgers optioned reliever Al Reyes to Triple-A Albuquerque. White who played in two rehabilitation games in San Bernardino late last week took batting practice from both sides of the plate earlier Sunday and looked OK. ... C Todd Hundley, eligible to come off the DL Monday, is at least a week away from returning to action. Hundley has a hairline fracture in his right thumb. ... The Dodgers, whose 25-23 road record is the NL West's best, begin a 10-game road trip at Colorado on Monday and play 16 of their next 22 games away from home.