The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 24

www.lennessean.com THE TENNESSEAN Monday, July 10, 2000 5C SPOR IS: BASEBALL All-Slar rosters Graves has change of plans Rosters for the 2000 All-Star game, to be played tomorrow at Turner Field In Atlanta (x-injured, will not play; y-lnjury replacement): Hems Run Deity National League Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds), Vladimir Guerrero (Expos), Chipper Jones (Braves), Sammy Sosa (Cubs). American League Cartas Delgado (Blue Jays), Carl Everett (Red Sox), Troy Glaus (Angels), Edgar Martinez (Mariners), Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers). Tennessean Neits Smit es When Danny Graves got dropped off at the stadium yesterday, he was thinking about a family vacation. "The truck was packed for lake Cumberland," the Cincinnati Reds closer said.

"When my wife dropped me off, she said, 'Get home fast so we can leave right after the A few minutes later, a stunned Graves was changing plans. He and his wife were headed for Atlanta Atlanta starter Greg Maddux was scratched from the NL All-Star team AMERICAN LEAGUE STARTERS Catcher Ivan Rodriguez, Texas First base Jason Giambi, Oakland Second base Roberto Alomar, Cleveland Third base x-Cal Ripken Baltimore Shortstop x-Alex Rodriguez, Seattle Outfield Jermaine Dye, Kansas City; x-Manny Ramirez, Cleveland; Bemie Williams, New York. RESERVES Catcher Jorge Posada, NewYbrk Infielders y-Tbny Batista, Toronto; y-Mike Bordick, Baltimore; Carlos Delgado, Toronto; Ray Durham, Chicago; Travis Fryman, Cleveland; Nomar Garciaparra, Boston; Troy Glaus, Anaheim; Derek Jeter, Newark; Edgar Martinez, Seattle; Fred McGriff, Tampa Bay, Mike Sweeney, Kansas City. Outfielders Darin Erstad, Anaheim; Carl Everett, Boston; Matt Lawton, Minnesota; Magglio Ordonez, Chicago. PITCHERS James Baldwin, Chicago; Chuck Finlev, NATIONAL LEAGUE STARTERS Catcher x-Mike Piazza, New Vbrk First base x-Mark McGwire, St Louis Second base Jeff Kent, San Francisco Third base Chipper Jones, Atlanta Shortstop Barry Larkin, Cincinnati Outfield x-Barry Bonds, San Francisco; x-Ken Griffey Cincinnati; Sammy Sosa, Chicago.

RESERVES Catchers Jason Kendall, Pittsburgh; Mike Lieberthal, Philadelphia Infielders Edgardo Alfonzo, NewYbrk; Jeff Clrillo, Colorado; Andres Galarraga, Atlanta; Todd Helton, Colorado; Jose Vidro, Montreal; y-Edgar Renteria, St Louis. Outfielders Jim Edmonds, St Louis; y-Steve Fintey, Arizona; Brian Giles, Pittsburgh; Vladimir Guerrero, Montreal; Andruw Jones, Atlanta; Gary Sheffield, Los Angeles. PITCHERS Kevin Brown, Los Angeles; Ryan Dempster, Florida; Tom Glavine, Atlanta; y-Danny Graves, Cincinnati; Trevor Hoffman, San Diego; Randy Johnson, Arizona; Darryl Kile, St. Louis; Al Letter, NewYbrk; x-Greg Maddux, Atlanta; Shane Reynolds, Houston; Bob Wickman, Milwaukee. lost 5-3 yesterday to Cleveland Reds medical director Tim Krem-chek recommended Griffey not play in the All-Star Game, and General Manager Jim Bowden and Griffey agreed.

But Griffey is the two-time defending champion of the home run derby. Griffey's 28 home runs this year are tied for second in the majors with Barry Bonds and Carlos Delgado, behind Mark McGwire's 30. No-star Thomas: Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas, still upset that he was left off the American League roster, won't replace an injured player in tomorrow's game. "I've got plans and I'm not changing them for nobody," said Thomas, who has 26 homers and 75 RBI. Futures game: Television seem to bring out the best in Sean Burroughs.

Playing on national TV for the first time since winning his second Little League title, Burroughs had three hits, and Drew Henson scored the winning run as the U.S. team beat the World team 3-2 yesterday in the Futures game at Turner Field. TTl3 If yesterday because of a sore shoulder. Graves was chosen as his replacement, making him a first-time All-Star. "It was a big surprise when I came into the clubhouse and was told and saves (14 saves in 15 chances).

Graves pitched the ninth inning yesterday, and hit Roberto Alomar, another All-Star, with a pitch on the elbow. Alomar received a bruise. Griffey's title: Ken Griffey the leading vote-getter among National League outfielders for the All-Star Game, didn't sound too disappointed about missing tomorrow's game with a sore knee. Tonight's home-run hitting contest, though, is a different story. "I'm going back to defend my title," he said with a slight grin after the Reds Cleveland; Tim Hudson, Oakland; Jason Isring- about it," Graves said, GRAVES still wearing a stunned look after batting practice.

"It was one of those things where you don't know whether to believe it or not." Graves leads the Reds in wins (nine) nausen, uawanci; lodd Jones, Detroit; Derek Lowe, Boston; Mariano Rivera, NewYbrk; Aaron Sale, Seattle; David Wells, Toronto. Johnson gets 13 strikeouts Wateield beats Braves mm AH Associated Press OAKLAND, Calif. Randy Johnson eluded a flying bat, and then survived an even greater peril when the Arizona bullpen finally managed to protect a lead. Johnson struck out 13 and the Diamondbacks, who blew late-inning leads while losing the first two games of the series in extra innings, defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-2 yesterday to avoid a three-game sweep. "We needed that after a couple of tough losses," said Matt Mantei, who struck out all three batters he faced to get his fourth save.

"It was good to get the bullpen in there today, and to get the job done." Johnson (14-2), who allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings, heads into the All-Star break leading the NL in wins, ERA (1.80) and strikeouts (198). It is the best pre-break record of his career, topping the 12-2 mark and 2.20 ERA in 1997. Johnson gave up a two-run single by Matt Stairs in the fourth and got out of the fifth when Jason Giambi's liner was snared by second baseman Jay Bell with two outs and a runner on second. In the second inning, Ben Grieve's bat shattered as he grounded to second. The barrel flew close to Johnsoa By pitching seven innings, Johnson took some pressure off the bullpen.

The Diamondbacks blew saves the previous two nights. Steve Finley, named an injury re- Associated Press BOSTON Tim Wakefield has worn many hats for the Boston Red Sox. Now he has a new one stopper. Wakefield (5-5), who has bounced between the bullpen and the rotation over the last two seasons, gave up six hits over seven innings to defeat the Atlanta Braves 7-2 yesterday, snapping the Red Sox's five-game home losing streak. "I'm not trying to make a statement, I'm just trying to be as consistent as I can," said Wakefield, who complained earlier in the season about pitching out of the bullpea "Mentally, it's easier to deal with starting because you know what your role is.

When I was pitching out of the bullpen, I didn't know what my role was." It was Wakefield's third consecutive victory, earning him a spot in the rotation following the All-Star break. Wakefield has a 3.98 ERA since being inserted into the rotation on June 29. "Wakefield really pitched a great game for us," Red Sox Manager Jimy Wiliams said. "We talk about starters setting the tone for us, he's really pitched well in his last few starts." Nomar Garciaparra homered twice and scored three times as the Red Sox scored seven runs on 10 hits and two walks against Braves starter Kevin Millwood (5-8), who placement to the NL All-Star team earlier in the day, led off the seventh with his 25th homer. The Diamondbacks scored two in the second on an RBI double by Travis I.ee and a run-scoring single by Tony Womack.

Padres 4, Rangers 3 ARLINGTON, Texas Trevor Hoffman earned his 250th career save the 17th major league pitcher to reach that mark as San Diego beat Texas, snapping the Rangers' five-game winning streak. Phil Nevin doubled in San Diego's final run in the fifth inning. Angels 10, Rockies 4 ANAHEIM, Calif. Darin Erstad went 4-for-5, scored three runs and had two RBI as Anaheim beat Colorado to win its fourth straight and hand the Rockies their seventh consecutive loss. Mariners 2, Dodgers 0 SEATTLE The Seattle Mariners completed their best first half in franchise history when Jamie Moyer outdueled Chan Ho Park for a win over Los Angeles.

Park (9-6) allowed three hits, all by Joe Oliver, but one was a two-run homer in the second inning. Oliver also doubled and singled. Cardinals 8, Giants 7 ST. LOUIS Pat Hentgen allowed two hits in five scoreless innings and Fernando Tatis had a two-run homer as St. Louis ended San Francisco's eight-game winning streak.

lasted four-plus innings in place of scheduled starter Greg Maddux The four-time Cy Young award winner was scratched from his start with a sore right shoulder, sustained after being hit by a ball during batting practice Saturday. Maddux is 10-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 19 starts this seasoa and was selected to his eighth All-Star Game. Despite yesterday's loss, the Braves (52-36) remained in first place in the NL East with the best record in the league. Atlanta has won its division for the past eight years and has led at the All-Star break every year since 1995. Its biggest lead was 12 12 games in 1998.

Garciaparra's first homer, a solo shot in the third inning, gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Following Brian Daubach's triple in the fifth, Garciaparra went deep off Millwood again, giving Boston a 6-2 lead. It was Garciaparra's second two-homer game in a span of five days. "I still have confidence in myself," Millwood said. "I know I can go out and win, and four of my last five starts have been good.

I always had done pretty well against Nomar until today." Jason Varitek went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Jose Offerman had a two-run triple for the Red Sox. "I le Millwood got out of a couple of jams," Braves Manager Bobby Cox said. "The big hit was Of-ferman's it ruined the day." i iV I AP First baseman Brian Daubach's Boston teammates prevent him from falling into the dugout after he caught a foul ball yesterday. American Conference Central Division Pet. GB Sounds continue success on road Tyler Houston hits 3 homers for Brewers 50 41 .549 44 44 .500 4Vi 40 48 .454 Albuquerque (Dodgers) Col.Springs (Rockies) Omana (Royals) Iowa (Cubs) 38 53 .418 12 eastern utvwon Memphis (Cardinals) 55 35 New Orleans (Astros) 44 45 Oklahoma (Rangers) 44 45 Nashville (Pirates) 43 46 .611 .494 10 Vi .494 IO'j .483 1114 HI iintiliTif iirtitiiliiiii ft Pacific Conference Southern Division I Pet.

GB .571 Sacramento (Athletics) Los Vegas (Padres) Tucson (Diamondbacks) 52 39 48 39 44 45 33 57 .552 2 .494 7 .367 18' rresno (Oiants) Northern Division Salt Lake (Twins) 55 35 .611 522 .506 .374 21 Vi Asstxialed Press MILWAUKEE Tyler Houston made the All-Star break bearable for both the Milwaukee Brewers and himself. Houston hit three home runs the eighth major league player this year to do that and Jason Bere allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings as the Brewers beat the Detroit Tigers 10-3 yesterday. Houston tied his career-high with six RBI, hitting a two-run homer in each of his first three at-bats. His third homer was a 440-foot shot to center in the sixth inning. It was an unexpected outburst from Houston, who struggled through the Brewers' first two games against the Tigers and was hitting just .238 this year.

"If I had another day like the last two, I'd be sulking for three days and making life miserable for the family," Houston said. "Now I'll be OK to live with." Bere (6-6), who got just one victory in 10 starts earlier this year, struck out seven and won for the third time in four decisions. Cubs 9, White Sox 6 CHICAGO The Chicago Cubs beat the crosstown-rival White Sox to take two of three at Wrigley Field. Sammy Sosa hit a two-run homer in a four-run sixth inning and Henry Rodriguez had four RBI widi a homer and bases-loaded single for the Cubs. The White Sox, with the majors' best record at 55-32, hit four homers with the wind blowing out yesterday.

Indians 5, Reds 3 CINCINNATI Omar Vizquel hit his third homer in two games and Ken Griffey Jr. was ejected as Cleveland beat Cincinnati for a split of their intrastate season series. Bartolo Colon (9-5) struck out eight and limited the Reds to three hits in six innings. Twins 3, Pirates 2 PITTSBURGH Corey Koskie homered and drove in three runs, and Minnesota avoided going into the All-Star break with an eight-game losing streak. Astros 9, Royals 6 HOUSTON Jose Lima snapped a personal 13-game losing streak despite allowing three homers over seven innings, and Lance Berkman drove in four runs with two homers as I louston beat Kansas City.

Tocoma (Manners) 47 43 Edmonton (Angels) 44 43 Calgary (Marlins) 34 57 Saturday's Games Albuquerque 8, Omaho 6 Los Vegas 4, Calgary 3, 10 innings Iowa 4, Colorado Springs 1 Edmonton 14, Tucson 9 Fresno 9, Tocoma 7 Nashville 6, Memphis 2 New Orleans 6, Oklahoma 5 Sacramento 3, Salt Lake 2 Yesterday's Games Albuquerque at Omaha Calgary at Los Vegas Colorado Spnngs at Iowa Edmonton at Tucson Fresno at Tacoma Nashville at Memphis New Orleans at Oklahoma Salt Lake at Sacramento Today's Games No games scheduled Tomorrow's Game All-Star Game Wednesday's Games No games scheduled Sosa wants to stay a Cub: Sammy Sosa reversed course yesterday and told the Chicago Cubs they should stop trying to trade him, saying he would remain in Chicago through the end of his contract in 2001. Sosa, who earlier this year told the Cubs to trade him unless they would extend his contract, now says he would use his rights to block any deal. Sosa's agents, Tom Reich and Adam Katz, met yesterday morning in Chicago with Cubs president Andy MacPhail. "We told him don't even explore a trade. If you do try to trade him, he will not approve Katz said.

Sosa is signed through next year as part of a $42.5 million four-year contract. He then is eligible to become a free agent. "Vfe were happy to hear that," MacPhail said. "I didn't have any interest in trading the guy who drove in 300 runs the last two years for prospects? Flat Brewers: Milwaukee hitters struck out a franchise-record 20 times, including nine times in extra innings, of the Brewers 4-2, 15-inning loss to Detroit on Saturday. Nomo wins race: Hideo Nomo found an unusual way to get a win at County Stadium.

Wearing an 8-foot-tall costume of an Italian sausage, the Detroit pitcher provided plenty of beef yesterday, cruising to victory in County Stadium's nightly Sausage Race. The race is a promotion by a local sausage company. It features four people usually Brewers employees in costumes depicting a hot dog, a bratwurst, a Polish sausage and an Italian sausage. They race from the outfield warning track to home plate. Nomo slowed down only to wave to his teammates in the Tigers' dugout.

He was first through the finish tape. ASSOCIATED PRESS By MAURICE PATT0N Sports Writer MEMPHIS The Nashville Sounds go into the All-Star break with some momentum after defeating Memphis 7-1 yesterday. The Sounds have won five of their last six road games to raise their overall record to 44-46. John Wehner and Emil Brown each had two hits, and every other position player had one as Nashville improved to 24-19 on the road. Memphis (55-36), which remained in first place in the PCL East by 10 games, had its second series loss at AutoZone Park.

The Sounds come back from the break Thursday with a four-game series against Oklahoma "We're close to we need to get above .500, and worry about everything else after that," said Brown, whose two-run double in the eighth inning capped the Nashville attack. "Our pitching's been good and we've put up more runs than the opposition, and that's a lot easier when they're only scoring one or two." Starting pitcher Dan Serafini (5-4) won for the third time in as many starts since coming from Pacific Coast League rival Ijs Vegas. He didn't allow a hit until pinch-hitter Chris Haas led off the sixth with a single. Serafini gave up just two hits in seven innings. "I've just been trying to stay ahead in the count and let the defense work," said Serafini, who has a scoreless streak of 17 13 innings.

Luther Hackman held the Nashville offense for five innings as well, but ran into trouble in the sixth. Wehn-er's bases-loaded double down the third-base line got the Sounds on the scoreboard. It also got Hackman and Memphis Manager Gaylen Pitts ejected, as both said the ball was foul. "I thought it hooked over the bag and hit some chalk. If he plate umpire Dan Gnadt had called it foul, I may have been in his face," said Nashville Manager Richie Hebner, who was coaching third base.

"With a three-man umpiring crew, like we have in this league, you're going to have calls like that." Wehner scored later in the inning to make it 4-0. Brown's two-run double in the eighth highlighted a three-run inning as the Sounds improved to 10-2 in their last 12 games. "If you'd told me three weeks ago we'd be two games under .500 on July 9 we were just getting our butts kicked," Hebner said of his squad, which had lost 12 of 14 before its current roll. "We've gotten timely hitting, good pitching, good work out of the bullpen, and we've hit a few home runs." Sounds 7, Redbirds 1 MEMPHIS ab bi 4022 LrrHecf NASHVILlf Brown cf Nunez ss 5110 Clapp 2b If 4 110 Richard rf Montgomery Mondesi's HR helps Toronto rout Expos 5110 Younglf 5123 Sultonlb 3110 Lucca 3b 3110 Garcia ss ab bi 3000 3010 4000 3000 4110 401 1 4010 4000 1000 0000 1010 0000 1000 0000 32 1 5 1 Laker ID Wehner2b Hernandez rf Wilson Wood 3b Serafini Bredeph Villono Pavias 3112 Bieser 3000 Hockmon 1000 Hetsermano 0000 Haosph 0000 Doughertyp Whitmorepn Eversgerd 36 7 10 7 Totals Totals Associated Press MONTREAL Raul Mondesi homered for the third straight game and Frank Castillo won his fifth straight decision, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a L3-3 win over the Montreal Expos yesterday. Mondesi, who hit a two-run homer Friday and a three-run shot Saturday, connected for another three-run homer off Dustin Hermanson (6-7) in the fifth.

"Mondesi's really having a fine season for us," Toronto Manager Jim Fregosi said. "If you look on the board, he's got 70-plus runs scored, 60 RBIs, 20-plus homers. He plays hard, he's a great defensive right fielder and he's done everything we could have hoped for." Castillo (6-5), who started the season 1-5, allowed six hits and two runs in seven innings, including Mike Mordecai's two-out solo homer in the second. He walked one and struck out four. Orioles 5, Phillies 4 PHILADELPHIA Will Clark's two-run single in the ninth inning lifted Baltimore to a comeback victory over Philadelphia Jeff Brantley (1-2) blew his first save after 13 straight Marlins 10, Devil Rays 9 MIAMI Preston Wilson homered and drove in a career-high four runs and Cliff Floyd added a three-run shot as Florida beat Tampa Bay.

Nashville 000 004 030 7 Memphis 000 000 001 1 Nunez, laker. DP Nashville 1, Memphis 1. LOB Nashville 7, Memphis 7. 2B Brown, Wehner 2, Lucca. SF Wood.

CS Little. ip tr bb so Nashville Serafini 5-4 7 2 0 0 3 4 V.Hano 1 1 0 0 0 2 Povio. 12 110 1 Memphis HackmanL.4.3 5 4 4 0 4 Heiserman 0 0 0 10 Dougherty 2 4 3 3 1 2 Eversaerd 1 10 0 0 0 H6P Montgomery (byHockmctn), Wilson (by Heiserman). BK Dougherty, PB Bieser. A 12,725..