ATM report--NL West lead changes hands; Bonds milestone; Trade rumors

[nyy26wc]

1) Yesterday's games--

AL
Tigers 5, Whitesox 3 (1st)
Tigers 3, Whitesox 1 (2nd)
BlueJays 4, Redsox 1
Devil Rays 4, Mariners 3 (10)
Yankees 14, Indians 5
A's 8, Orioles 0
Royals 4, Angels 0
Rangers 8, Twins 1

NL
Phillies 7, Mets 6 (12)
Astros 2, Reds 1
Cubs 9, Marlins 2
Giants 6, Rockies 1
Diamondbacks 7, Dodgers 5
Pirates 5, Brewers 3
Expos 6, Braves 3
Cardinals 2, Padres 1 (10)

2) Standings--

AL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Yankees          57   33  .633   -     29-16  28-17  26-19 14-01 06-06 WON  1
Redsox           53   35  .602   3     24-21  29-14  30-10 10-08 08-04 LOST 2
Orioles          42   46  .477  14     19-23  23-23  14-18 09-08 10-11 LOST 3
BlueJays         36   53  .404  20 1/2 19-25  17-28  14-23 04-06 09-15 WON  2
Devil Rays       29   59  .330  27     18-25  11-34  11-25 06-07 05-16 WON  1

AL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Twins            52   40  .565   -     30-17  22-23  08-09 21-14 13-09 LOST 1
Whitesox         43   49  .467   9     26-21  17-28  05-05 20-19 10-15 LOST 3
Indians          40   49  .449  10 1/2 22-20  18-29  10-07 19-23 05-07 LOST 1
Royals           34   54  .386  16     20-21  14-33  02-11 19-17 08-13 WON  1
Tigers           34   55  .382  16 1/2 20-22  14-33  05-11 19-25 04-07 WON  3

AL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Mariners         57   34  .626   -     27-20  30-14  19-14 07-06 20-07 LOST 1
Angels           53   36  .596   3     28-18  25-18  09-03 22-10 11-16 LOST 1
A's              53   38  .582   4     29-19  24-19  15-18 08-05 14-13 WON  4
Rangers          40   49  .449  16     23-24  17-25  09-03 14-19 09-18 WON  1

NL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Braves           58   33  .637   -     31-17  27-16  23-15 12-07 08-08 LOST 1
Expos            47   43  .522  10 1/2 28-14  19-29  18-17 13-08 04-12 WON  1
Marlins          45   45  .500  12 1/2 26-21  19-24  18-18 09-11 08-08 LOST 3
Mets             44   46  .489  13 1/2 22-20  22-26  17-24 09-06 08-08 LOST 2
Phillies         41   48  .461  16     24-22  17-26  19-21 04-08 08-11 WON  2

NL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Cardinals        48   39  .552   -     30-17  18-22  05-07 27-21 08-07 WON  1
Reds             46   44  .511   3 1/2 22-23  24-21  10-08 27-21 07-05 LOST 4
Astros           44   45  .494   5     25-18  19-27  09-09 25-23 05-07 WON  5
Pirates          41   49  .456   8 1/2 20-27  21-22  08-04 25-23 05-13 WON  3
Cubs             37   51  .420  11 1/2 18-23  19-28  06-09 20-29 05-07 WON  2
Brewers          33   58  .363  17     18-27  15-31  02-10 21-28 08-10 LOST 3

NL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Diamondbacks     54   36  .600   -     28-18  26-18  12-07 11-07 20-15 WON  3
Dodgers          54   37  .593     1/2 27-18  27-19  07-06 14-08 21-17 LOST 4
Giants           52   38  .578   2     27-16  25-22  10-06 09-06 25-16 WON  5
Rockies          42   49  .462  12 1/2 28-19  14-30  11-08 07-05 17-25 LOST 4
Padres           36   54  .400  18     23-22  13-32  07-09 08-12 13-23 LOST 1

3) Today's schedule--

AL
Yankees (Mike Mussina) at Indians (Chuck Finley), 1:05
Redsox (Pedro Martinez) at BlueJays (Esteban Loaiza), 1:05
Mariners (Freddy Garcia) at Devil Rays (Wilson Alvarez), 1:15
A's (Cory Lidle) at Orioles (Rodrigo Lopez), 1:35
Whitesox (Jon Garland) at Tigers (Adam Bernero), 2:05
Angels (Ramon Ortiz) at Royals (Miguel Asencio), 2:05
Rangers (Dave Burba) at Twins (Kyle Lohse), 2:05

NL
Phillies (Brandon Duckworth) at Mets (Pedro Astacio), 1:10
Braves (Damian Moss) at Expos (Javier Vazquez), 1:35
Pirates (Joe Beimel) at Brewers (Ruben Quevedo), 2:05
Marlins (Michael Tejera) at Cubs (Mark Prior), 2:20
Reds (Jared Fernandez) at Astros (Tim Redding), 2:35
Rockies (Shawn Chacon) at Giants (Kirk Rueter), 4:05
Cardinals (Bud Smith) at Padres (Bobby Jones), 5:00
Diamondbacks (Miguel Batista) at Dodgers (Kazuhisa Ishii), 8:10

4) Yesterday's HRs--

Alex Rodriguez--#29
Brian Giles--#25
Vladimir Guerrero--#23
Alfonso Soriano--#21 & #22
Cliff Floyd--#19
Miguel Tejada--#16
Jorge Posada--#16
John Olerud--#16
Carlos Beltran--#13
Kevin Young--#11
Chipper Jones--#10
Brad Wilkerson--#10
Benito Santiago--#9
Randy Winn--#8
Chad Hermansen--#7
Bobby Higginson--#6
Matt Stairs--#6
Edgardo Alfonzo--#6
Benito Santiago--#6
Olmedo Saenz--#5
Kenny Lofton--#5
Eduardo Perez--#5
Ichiro Suzuki--#3 & #4
Hiram Bocachica--#4
Ricky Gutierrez--#3
David Dellucci--#3
Rod Barajas--#2

5) HR leaders--

AL
1) Alex Rodriguez--29*
2) Jim Thome--26
T3) Jason Giambi--22
T3) Paul Konerko--22
T3) Alfonso Soriano--22**
6) Rafael Palmeiro--21
T7) Eric Chavez--20
T7) Torii Hunter--20
T9) Carlos Delgado--19
T9) Robin Ventura--19
T9) Tony Batista--19

NL
1) Lance Berkman--29
2) Sammy Sosa--28
T3) Barry Bonds--27
T3) Shawn Green--27
5) Brian Giles--25*
T6) Pat Burrell--23
T6) Vladimir Guerrero--23*
8) Albert Pujols--21
T9) Larry Walker--20
T9) Andruw Jones--20

**--hit 2 yesterday
*--hit 1 yesterday

6) The Diamondbacks passed the Dodgers into 1st place in the NL West.

[nyy26wc]

1) Barry Bonds reached 500 career doubles.

Bonds became the 7th member of the 500 HR/500 2B club--

                                 2B       HR     
1    Hank Aaron                  624      755   
2    Eddie Murray                560      504   
3    Frank Robinson              528      586   
4    Ted Williams                525      521   
5    Willie Mays                 523      660   
6    Babe Ruth                   506      714   
7    Barry Bonds                 500      594   

2) According to the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are scouting Rangers P Kenny Rogers.

3) The Yankees placed P Roger Clemens on the 15 day DL and called up P Mike Thurman.

Clemens has a groin injury.

After -18 RSAA/6.42 ERA and -11 RSAA/5.33 ERA seasons the past 2 years, Thurman has a 6.60 ERA/-3 RSAA in his first 5 games (2 starts). He has a 5.09 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.46, and -28 RSAA in 98 games.

4) Yankees LF Rondell White reached 1000 career hits.

After 16 RCAA/.867 OPS and 14 RCAA/.900 OPS seasons the past 2 years, White's off to a poor .397 SLG, .317 OBA, .714 OPS, -6 RCAA start in his first 76 games. He has a .825 career OPS, compared to his league average of .772, and 52 RCAA in 932 games.

5) Redsox CF Johnny Damon was given a routine day off yesterday and SS Nomar Garciaparra is expected to get one today.

Damon's making a good comeback from his poor 2001 season, with a .442 SLG, .367 OBA, .810 OPS, 15 RCAA in his first 84 games. He has a .774 career OPS, compared to his league average of .778, and 35 RCAA in 1042 games.

While he's still not back to his 62 RCAA/1.022 OPS and 67 RCAA/1.033 OPS form of 1999-2000, Garciaparra is having a good comeback season from his injury ruined 2001. He's hitting .519 SLG, .347 OBA, .866 OPS, 13 RCAA in his first 84 games and has a .941 career OPS, compared to his league average of .776, and 202 RCAA in 700 games.

6) Twins P Johan Santana was scratched from his start yesterday, after his wife gave birth in the morning.

Juan Rincon made the start in his first place.

7) Angels P Troy Percival will be sidelined for at least a couple of games, due to an infection in his Achilles' tendon.

Percival's 14 RSAA season in 2001 was the first time since 1996 that he reached double digits. He's off to a 2.15 ERA/7 RSAA start in his first 32 games and has a 3.03 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.73, and 89 RSAA in 449 games.

8) Rangers LF Rusty Greer was scratched from the lineup, due to a sore back. He had just come off the DL and may be headed right back there.

9) The Cardinals placed P Woody Williams on the 15 day DL, retroactive to July 7, and activated RF J.D. Drew from the DL.

After 20 RCAA/.880 OPS and 47 RCAA/1.027 OPS seasons the past 2 years, Drew's off to a .454 SLG, .355 OBA, .810 OPS, 11 RCAA start in his first 73 games. He has a .890 career OPS, compared to his league average of .784, and 83 RCAA in 435 games.

Williams, whose previous career high for RSAA is 9, in 2000, is off to a 2.35 ERA/16 RSAA start in his first 12 starts. He has a 4.09 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.56, and 46 RSAA in 268 games.

10) The Padres re-signed CF Mark Kotsay to a 3 year contract extension, covering 2004-06.

After -3 RCAA/.791 OPS and 12 RCAA/.807 OPS seasons the past 2 years, Kotsay's off to a .439 SLG, .381 OBA, .820 OPS, 15 RCAA start in his first 88 games. He has a .758 career OPS, compared to his league average of .780, and -9 RCAA in 675 games.

11) The Padres released OF-1B Mark Sweeney.

After -3 RCAA/.680 OPS and 0 RCAA/.762 OPS seasons the past 2 years, Sweeney's off to a poor .262 SLG, .217 OBA, .479 OPS, -5 RCAA start in his first 48 games (69 PA). He has a .711 career OPS, compared to his league average of .769, and -10 RCAA in 576 games.

12) The Pirates sent P Bronson Arroyo to the minors, to make room on the roster when they activated P Josias Manzanillo from the DL.

13) The Reds activated P Jose Rijo from the DL and placed P Gabe White on the 15 day DL.

After a 2.12 ERA/4 RSAA year in his 2001 comeback season, Rijo's off to a 5.21 ERA/-2 RSAA start in his first 13 games (8 starts). He has a 3.211 career ERA, compared to his league average of 3.90, and 144 RSAA in 358 games.

White has a broken toe in his right foot. He's been alternating between very good and bad seasons: 2.36 ERA/36 RSAA and 6.25 ERA/-7 RSAA over the past 2 years and 2.54 ERA/11 RSAA in his first 48 games this year. He has a 4.26 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.35, and 32 RSAA in 342 games.

14) The Mets placed P Grant Roberts on the 15 day DL and called up P Mark Corey.

Roberts has tendonitis in his shoulder. The 24 year old, who also pitched 20 games over the previous 2 years, is off to a 2.09 ERA/9 RSAA start in his first 29 games.

15) Diamondbacks P Rick Helling was scratched from his start yesterday and was pushed back to Monday.

Helling has a strained ankle. After 4.48 ERA/16 RSAA and 5.17 ERA/-17 RSAA seasons the past 2 years, he's off to a 4.70 ERA/3 RSAA start in his first 18 starts. He has a 4.75 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.63, and 10 RSAA in 219 games.

[nyy26wc]

1) According to the LA Daily News, the Dodgers expect to complete a trade for Frank Catalanotto in the next day or two. Meanwhile, the Dallas Morning News reports several other teams, including the Braves, are also pursuing Catalanotto.

2) According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Rangers are expected to go after Phillies C Mike Lieberthal after the season. He could be a free agent at the end of the season, but he does have an option that automatically is triggered if he reaches 500 PA (he has 292). Nevertheless, the Rangers may be interested in a trade if he's not on the free agent market.

3) The Giants are reportedly interested in Phillies 3B Scott Rolen and P Dan Plesac.

4) The Mets have reportedly offered 3B Edgardo Alfonzo a 3 year, $18-19 million contract, which he rejected. Alfonzo says the salary is fine, but he wants a 5-7 year deal. He's eligible for free agency after the season.

After 34 RCAA/.886 OPS and 56 RCAA/.967 OPS seasons in 1999-2000, Alfonzo fell to -4 RCAA/.725 OPS in 2001. He's off to a .424 SLG, .413 OBA, .837 OPS, 21 RCAA start in his first 86 games and has a .809 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and 116 RCAA in 1037 games.

5) BlueJays CF Jose Cruz Jr. left yesterday's game, due to a left hamstring injury.

After -8 RCAA/.789 OPS and 14 RCAA/.857 OPS seasons the past 2 years, Cruz is off to a .431 SLG, .307 OBA, .738 OPS, -3 RCAA start in his first 89 games and has a .797 career OPS, compared to his league average of .775, and 15 RCAA in 712 games.

6) Braves RF Gary Sheffield has reportedly tied the team record by reaching base in 39 consecutive games, with Chipper Jones (1999) the previous record holder.

Records in this category usually only date back to around 1975.

After 74 RCAA/1.081 OPS and 63 RCAA/1.000 OPS seasons the past 2 years, Sheffield's off to a .493 SLG, .369 OBA, .862 OPS, 10 RCAA start in his first 77 games. The potential future Baseball Immortal has a .917 career OPS, compared to his league average of .755, and 479 RCAA in 1669 games.

7) The Padres released P Dave Lundquist.

Lundquist is on the 15 day DL and I'm pretty sure MLB rules prohibit players from being released while they are on the DL. But, the rules don't matter. As Jerry Reinsdorf pointed out earlier in the year, ""We have a lot of rules we don't necessarily enforce all the time."

Padres GM Kevin Towers said the move was made in order to open up room on the 40 man roster in case they want to claim anyone off waivers.

8) Orioles OF Jay Gibbons was out of yesterday's lineup, due to the combination of facing a tough lefty (Barry Zito) and a sore wrist.

After a -2 RCAA/.781 OPS in 73 games as a 24 year old rookie in 2001, Gibbons is off to a .487 SLG, .336 OBA, .822 OPS, 7 RCAA start in his first 74 games.

9) After being out of the lineup for 3 games, due to a migraine, Astros 2B Craig Biggio returned to the lineup.

10) Marlins SS Alex Gonzalez will probably need elbow surgery, which would sideline him for the rest of the season. If he waits until October, he won't be able to spend all of next season hurting the team.

After -38 RCAA/.548 OPS and -21 RCAA/.620 OPS seasons the past 2 years, Gonzalez is hitting .325 SLG, .296 OBA, .620 OPS, -7 RCAA in 42 games. He has a .656 career OPS, compared to his league average of .786, and -90 RCAA in 457 games.

Some notes that were going to go in yesterday's reports--

11) Arbitrator Shyam Das has delayed his ruling on contraction until August 1.

12) The union and MLB have agreed to a worldwide draft, starting next year.