Rays/MLB

AL: Perfect-game pitchers share field, memories

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 14, 2006

Two of the 10 perfect-game pitchers still alive, ex-Indians righty Len Barker and current Tigers lefty Kenny Rogers were in the same park Saturday in Cleveland. The Indians honored Barker for the 25th anniversary of his perfecto, which officially is Monday.

"It was an awesome feeling," Barker recalled, adding that he never had such command as when he beat the Blue Jays 3-0 on May 15, 1981. He didn't get to a three-ball count on any batter that night, throwing 74 of 103 pitches for strikes and striking out 11 of the last 17 he faced, all swinging.

Rogers threw his masterpiece July 28, 1994, for the Rangers, beating the California Angels 4-0. "I knew it was a no-hitter, but had no idea it was a perfect game until somebody told me after the game," Rogers said.

ATHLETICS: Designated hitter Frank Thomas (strained right quadriceps) sat out for the second consecutive game Saturday, but manager Ken Macha said Thomas might be able to play today. Oakland also put All-Star reliever Justin Duchscherer on the 15-day DL and recalled right-hander Chad Gaudin from Triple-A Sacramento.

RAINED OUT: Saturday night's game between the Red Sox and Rangers was postponed by rain and will be rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader during the Rangers' next trip to Boston on June 9-11.

YANKEES: Struggling reliever Tanyon Sturtze was put on the 15-day DL with soreness in the front of his pitching shoulder. He is expected to have tests to determine what the problem is. Sturtze has a 7.59 ERA in 18 appearances this season. Scott Proctor has supplanted him as Torre's go-to guy in the seventh inning. To replace Sturtze on the roster, the Yankees purchased the contract of right-hander Scott Erickson from Triple-A Columbus.

BLUE JAYS: The team is expected to decide today whether to place lefty Gustavo Chacin (elbow and forearm strain) on the DL. Manager John Gibbons said Chacin is feeling better and might play catch today.

[Last modified May 14, 2006, 00:50:17]