Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Around the NL

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 26, 2001

Piazza exits early after getting hit by a pitch

PORT ST. LUCIE -- Mike Piazza left the game after being hit by a pitch in the left arm, but the Mets rallied to beat the Marlins 6-5 Sunday.

Piazza was hit by Brad Penny in the upper left arm in the fourth inning, prompting manager Bobby Valentine to take him out of the game as a precaution.

"That's at least a warning during the season," Valentine said. "I wasn't happy."

Mets starter Kevin Appier hit Mike Lowell with a pitch in the fifth inning. Lowell had homered twice off Appier.

"He did it in good taste, he hit me low and if you're going to do it that's the way to do it," Lowell said.

Valentine said he didn't know if Appier's pitch was intentional, but admitted it wouldn't hurt Appier's reputation with his new teammates.

BRAVES: Kevin Millwood went five innings and gave up six runs and nine hits against the Indians, including home runs to Jim Thome and Ellis Burks. He walked one and struck out two.

The right-hander has allowed 35 hits and 24 earned runs in 141/3 innings for a 15.07 ERA this spring. Opposing hitters are batting .461 (35-for-76) against him.

"Once again, I think I threw the ball pretty well. The numbers may not be any better, but I feel like I accomplished a little more today," Millwood said.

Millwood has one more scheduled spring start, Friday in Atlanta against the Indians.

CUBS: Kerry Wood allowed seven hits in six innings to win for the third time in four spring decisions.

ASTROS: Right-hander Shane Reynolds, recovering from knee surgery, is scheduled to make his first exhibition appearance today with one inning of relief against Toronto.

"My last three or four starts I was trying to throw too hard," Wood said. "So, I slowed everything down. Then my curveball came and my changeup was there. I think I had four quality pitches working for me."

Wood had allowed one run when he tried to get a fastball past Anaheim's Jeff Davanon in the fifth. Davanon drove the ball over the 420-foot mark in centerfield for a two-run homer.

DODGERS: A decision on whether right-hander Kevin Brown starts April 2 against Milwaukee should come Friday after he has a second MRI when the team returns to Los Angeles.

Brown is hobbled by a strained right Achilles', but teammates and front office personnel are optimistic he'll be ready for the season, especially given Brown's history of pitching through pain and injury.

"I think we'll know then (after the MRI) where we stand for opening day," team physician Frank Jobe said.

On Sunday, another starter stepped up with a strong effort. Darren Dreifort and three relievers combined to two-hit the Cardinals 10-0. Dreifort struck out six and walked one, allowing two hits in six innings.

EXPOS: Right-hander Carl Pavano had a bone scan on his right elbow after an MRI revealed inflammation in his elbow.

He has been placed on no-throw status for seven days. Dr. James Andrews is scheduled to examine the bone scan today.

Pavano was 8-4 with a 3.06 ERA with the Expos last season before surgery to remove bone chips in August.

MARLINS: Florida right-hander Chuck Smith, projected as the No. 3 starter, will miss the first two weeks of the season with a sprained right shoulder.

Smith hurt his throwing shoulder while running the bases, stumbling as he crossed home plate.

He will be in a sling for 1-2 days, then will be re-examined, team doctors said. He should be able to start throwing again in four to five days and be able to pitch in about three weeks.

PIRATES: Manager Lloyd McClendon said Pat Meares will be the starting second baseman in the April 3 season opener.

Meares has been a shortstop since breaking into the major leagues with Minnesota in 1993 and has spent the past two seasons at that position with Pittsburgh.

"He's excited about it and he's comfortable over there. He'll be a better offensive player at second base because it's not quite as challenging as playing shortstop," McClendon said. "He's a good team player. He's made this switch without complaint because he wants to help us win ballgames."

REDS: Barry Larkin, sidelined for two weeks by a groin strain, returned to the lineup and had a single and a stolen base in a 3-0 win against Cincinnati.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright