ATLANTA - Braves shortstop Rafael Furcal was arrested on drunken driving charges Friday, his second DUI arrest in four years and a potential distraction to a team trying to wrap up its 13th straight division title.
Furcal didn't start Friday night against Montreal, though the team planned no immediate disciplinary action. Manager Bobby Cox said his leadoff hitter could be in the lineup today.
"The embarrassment that I'm sure Raffy is suffering is felt by us all," general manager John Schuerholz said. "We're sorry it happened. It's behind us now."
Furcal was charged with driving under the influence, speeding and reckless driving.
THANKS, STEVE: Among those on the Marlins' ticket pass list for their doubleheader at Wrigley Field was Steve Bartman.
Four tickets were ordered for Bartman by Marlins starting pitcher Carl Pavano, who was the starter in Game 6 of the NLCS when Bartman caught a foul ball Moises Alou thought he could catch.
"I put those there as a joke," Pavano said. "I was hoping he'd use them." (He didn't.)
GAMES MOVED NORTH: The Expos and Marlins will play Monday and Tuesday at the White Sox's stadium after Florida was forced to adjust its schedule for the second time this month because of a hurricane. The Marlins had three games against the Cubs washed out by Hurricane Frances last weekend.
JAPAN LEAGUE: Japan's players and owners averted a strike, reaching a last-minute agreement that will allow teams to continue playing through the weekend, the Kyodo News service and national broadcaster NHK reported. The players had asked for a one-year freeze on the merger between the Pacific League's Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Orix BlueWave and set a 5 p.m. deadline.
BIG SERIES FOR HARVEY: Outfielder Ryan Harvey, a former Dunedin High standout and the sixth overall pick by the Cubs in the 2003 draft, homered in all three games and hit four overall as Boise swept Vancouver for the short-season Class A Northwest League championship.
FSL PLAYOFFS: Because of the approach of Hurricane Ivan, the Florida State canceled its championship series and named the Tampa Yankees and Daytona Cubs co-champions.
CARDINALS: Third baseman Scott Rolen left in the fourth with a strained left knee.
ORIOLES: Right-hander Jorge Julio received a four-game suspension from Major League Baseball for throwing a pitch that nearly hit Minnesota's Augie Ojeda in the head Tuesday. Julio was fined $1,000.
ROCKIES: Centerfielder Preston Wilson and right-hander Aaron Cook had successful season-ending operations.
