AMERICAN LEAGUE

Twins vs. Red Sox
Minnesota: Even working against the Red Sox on the side can be dangerous: LHP Jason Ramero, throwing on the side before a scheduled start Thursday, nearly got plunked by a batting practice hit by Corey Koskie. Ramero had to jump out of the way as Koskie's drive came sailing right at him. ... The last time the teams met, Boston swept the Twins in a four-game series at the Metrodome, outscoring them 44-27. ... The Red Sox's front office must not be familiar with the Twins. The pregame lineup sheets listed Koskie's first name as 'Cordel.' Boston: RHP Tom Gordon, sidelined after elbow surgery during the offseason, was in town for a physical. He said he's been playing catch for a month and a half and hopes to begin throwing off a mound soon. "I think I'm about a month and a half ahead of schedule." ... 3B John Valentin, sidelined with a season-ending knee injury May 30, also visited the clubhouse before the game. He is off crutches. ... OF Trot Nixon, on the 15-day DL with a strained right hamstring, took batting practice and looked fine, but remains inactive despite being eligible. Mike Stanley was in the same position for five days before being designated for assignment Sunday. Stanley's locker appeared to be mostly cleaned out, meaning he would opt for free agency.

Yankees vs. Orioles
New York: The Yankees played 93 games this season before making their first trip to Camden Yards on Monday. They are scheduled to play three games and don't return until the final series of the year. ... DH Glenallen Hill, acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Friday, homered in his first at-bat with New York on Monday. ... Roger Clemens went 6-2 at Memorial Stadium, but has a losing record at Camden Yards (3-5 before Monday). ... Andy Pettitte, the Yankees' scheduled starter Tuesday, is 10-2 lifetime against the Orioles, including 6-0 in Baltimore. Baltimore: LHP John Parrish made his major league debut Monday as the starter against the Yankees, striking out the side in the first inning. ... The Orioles are 5-2-1 in their last eight series, but have won only eight of 24 series since the end of April. ... SS Mike Bordick on rumors of his trade to the New York Mets: "I try not to pay attention to it. You can't do anything about it, anyway."

Devil Rays vs. Tigers
Tampa Bay: 1B Fred McGriff has homered in 36 different ballparks and would tie Mark McGwire's major league record if he can connect during the Devil Rays' three-game series at Detroit's Comerica Park. OF Greg Vaughn stands fourth on the same list with 34. ... 3B Vinny Castilla was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game since he was hit on the right hand by Toronto's John Frascatore last week. ... RHP Steve Trachsel, who makes his team-leading 22nd start Tuesday, has a 3.49 ERA, but only a 3-4 record in nine starts since June 1. Detroit: OF Juan Gonzalez, who is eligible to come off the disabled list (left ankle tendinitis), took early batting practice and stretched with teammates before Monday's game with the Devil Rays. He's not expected to return until at least Thursday. ... RHP Erik Hiljus, who worked two-thirds of an inning Sunday after being called up from Triple-A Toledo, is the 29th player the Tigers have used this season. ... With Gonzalez and 1B Tony Clark (back) both on the disabled list, the Tigers have hit only five home runs in their last 12 games before Monday. Bobby Higginson has three and Jose Macias (grand slam) and Brad Ausmus one each.

Royals vs. White Sox
Kansas City: Manager Tony Muser has a lot of respect for White Sox skipper Jerry Manuel. "I think Jerry's the most underrated manager in baseball," Muser said. ... The Royals are 5-1 since 2B Carlos Febles returned from the disabled list, heading into Monday's game. "He's got the kind of personality to bring everybody up," Muser said. ... The Royals are 39-18 when they score five or more runs and 6-34 when they score four or less. ... 1B Mike Sweeney enters the three-game series at Chicago as the AL's leading hitter on the road with a .393 average (75-for-191). Chicago: Manuel will meet Tuesday with owner Jerry Reinsdorf and GM Ron Schueler to discuss the "state of the team." ... Manuel said he's counting on rookie RHP Jon Garland and LHP Mark Buehrle now that veteran RHP Cal Eldred is out indefinitely because of an irritated nerve in his right elbow. "I have confidence in the people we have here," Manuel said. Eldred, who was unable to play catch Sunday because of the pain, has no timetable for his possible return, and Manuel said he's preparing as if Eldred is out for the season. "It's like a car accident. I didn't see it coming," Eldred said.

Angels vs. Rangers
Anaheim: The Angels played at The Ballpark in Arlington for the first time in more than a year. Anaheim's last visit to Arlington, Texas, was July 21-22, 1999. ... Entering Monday night's game, LF Darin Erstad was on pace for 263 hits, which would eclipse George Sisler's record of 257, set in 1920. Texas: John Wetteland has 25 saves in each of the last nine seasons, the longest streak for any active pitcher and second-longest in major league history. Career saves leader Lee Smith had 13 straight seasons of 25 or more from 1983-95. ... The Rangers began Monday night last in the AL West, but took a division record of 14-10 into the game against the Angels. That's the best division mark of the four AL West teams.

Athletics vs. Mariners
Oakland: RHP Kevin Appier made his 300th career start, the 22nd active pitcher to reach that plateau. He enters the game against Seattle ranked 20th among active pitchers with 129 wins. Seattle: The Mariners activated SS Alex Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list, and optioned OF Charles Gipson to Triple-A Tacoma. Rodriguez was placed on the disabled list July 14, retroactive to July 8. He sustained a concussion and a right knee strain sliding into second base trying to break up a double play against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 7.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros vs. Reds
Houston: Craig Biggio homered in the first inning Monday, the Astros' seventh homer in two games. It was Biggio's fifth hit in 10 games. ... Jose Lima will try for his second consecutive win Tuesday in a stadium where he's had little success. Lima is 0-1 with an 8.25 ERA at Cinergy Field in two starts and one relief appearance, giving up 11 runs in 12 innings. Cincinnati: SS Barry Larkin got another half-minute standing ovation before his first at-bat Monday. Larkin backed out of the box and waved to his left and right. Larkin agreed to a three-year extension Sunday night. ... The stadium was dotted with pro-Larkin banners. "You Are Worth Every Dollar," one said. A couple of banners said, "Thank You Uncle Carl," a reference to owner Carl Lindner. ... Reds catchers are struggling at the plate. Eddie Taubensee is 8-for-62 (.129) and Benito Santiago 11-for-75 (.147).

Dodgers vs. Rockies
Los Angeles: CF Devon White's return from the DL is welcome news for manager Davey Johnson. "It gives me more flexibility to have four outfielders after having three for about 10 days. Devon started off pretty well, dove for a ball, hurt his shoulder and was out almost three months. " ... Like many hitters, 1B Eric Karros can't wait to get to Coors Field. "If you like offensive baseball, this is the place to come. This is the most offensive park in the National League. ... Johnson estimates that reliever Antonio Osuna has his fastball in the 93-94 mph range this year, only slightly slower than before elbow surgery forced him to miss most of the 1999 season. ... With six homers in 11 games, OF Gary Sheffield has taken the major league lead with 33, one better than Toronto's Carlos Delgado and Barry Bonds of San Francisco. "Sheffield is pretty much carrying us. He is having a monster year," Johnson said. Colorado: Larry Walker made his first start in right field since playing 29 games in left. "We talked about it and he's feeling better," manager Buddy Bell said of Walker. "He felt it was time to do it and I agreed with him." Butch Huskey drew the start in left field as Jeffrey Hammonds got the night off. ... 1B Todd Helton earned co-NL Player of the Week honors with a 13-for-31 week (.419) that included four doubles and 10 RBI. "We've been through a bad stretch so it seems ridiculous to me. Losing takes the luster out of the honor." ... Reliever Jerry Dipoto will pitch a simulated game Thursday. ... C Brent Mayne has faced Kevin Brown in both leagues, but sees little change. "Kevin hasn't changed from his days in the American League. He threw very hard and very deceptive in the other league just like he does now, and still throws that split-finger pitch about 96 or 97 mph that sinks like crazy." . ... When told about the 27th career operation Denver Broncos left guard Mark Schlereth underwent earlier in the day, third base coach Rich Donnelly said, "How can he still play? I had seven and that was enough for me. The guy must have an amazing pain threshold." ... Center fielder Tom Goodwin returned to the lineup after missing four straight games because of a strained left groin.

Giants vs. Padres
San Francisco: The Giants came in with a 15-5 record this month and are guaranteed their first winning July since going 19-8 in 1994. ... LF Barry Bonds celebrated his 36th birthday Monday. In 13 games played on July 24 during his career, Bonds has gone 17-for-40 (.425) with two doubles, a triple, a homer, 12 RBI and 11 runs scored. ... The Giants are on the second stop of a 12-game, four-city trip that started in Los Angeles and will continue in Chicago and Milwaukee. San Diego: 1B Ryan Klesko shared NL Player of the Week honors with Colorado's Todd Helton. Each player batted .419 (13-for-31) for the week. Klesko led the NL with 11 RBI and five doubles, hit two homers, scored four runs, had 24 total bases and compiled a .774 slugging percentage. He also drove in seven runs against the Rockies, helping the Padres win two of three at Coors Field. On Sunday, he hit a tying solo homer in the ninth and a game-winning, two-run shot in the 10th as the Padres beat the Rockies 6-4. ... RF and leadoff hitter Eric Owens was held out with a deep bruise at the base of his right thumb.