Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • Page C07

Zone: 1S PAGE: C7 Typesetter: GUSS50BQueue: 68 Date: 00:07 Plate: CMYK CMYK THEHARTFORDCOURANT SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER8, 2007 C7 The Diamondbacks signed veteran reliever Bob Wickman Friday. Wickman, 38 was released by the Braves last month. He was 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA in 49 appearances this season. He had 20 saves in 26 appearances. The righthander joins a bullpen that has been one of the strengths of the surprising Diamondbacks.

got arms down manager Bob Melvin said. is another quality arm been through triple-double: Curtis Granderson hit his 20th home run against the Mariners, making the Tigers outfielder the sixth major league player since 1900 with at least 20 home runs, 20 doubles and 20 triples in one season. The others were the George Brett in 1979, the Willie Mays in 1957, Jeff Heath of the Indians in 1941, Jim Bottomley of the Cardinals in 1928 and Frank Schulte of the Cubs in 1911. Littlefield fired: Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield was fired after six- plus seasons in which Pittsburgh showed little progress. With a 62-79 record, the Pirates are three losses from a 15th consecutive losing season, one off the major league record.

Coin flips held: The Phillies would host the Mets in an NL East tiebreaker in a coin flip conducted Friday by the office. For all possible tiebreaker playoff sites, see list, C6. Mitchell sends letters: Steroids investigator George Mitchell sent letters to major leaguers asking them to contact him with anything they might know about the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The Giants and Dodgers received the letters Friday. Players also received a note from the union alerting them letter was coming.

Reds catcher suspended: Reds catcher Ryan Jorgenson was suspended for 50 games, the third player penalized this year under Major League drug program. The announcement from the office did not cite a failed drug test, making it unclear why he was being suspended. Jorgenson appeared in four games this season. Astros interview White: The Astros interviewed Dodgers assistant GM Logan White, the seventh man to meet with the team about its vacant GM job. Astros minor league pitcher Carlos Lazu was suspended for 50 games following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance under the minor league drug program.

Lazu, 21, made 13 relief appearances with the Greeneville Astros of the Rookie Appalachian League. Aches and pains: Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand (left hip strain) is day-today. Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez had surgery on his right shoulder this week and is expected to return in time for spring training. Giants left- hander Noah Lowry (14-8) will probably be shut down for the rest of the season because of a mild elbow strain. Inside corner: Tom 14 wins are the most by a Pirate since left- hander Denny Neagle (14-6) in 1996.

Before losing 7-2 to the Blue Jays Friday, the Devil Rays had scored 118 runs in 13 games, the eighth-most by any team over a13-game stretch since World War II. Diamondbacks Add Wickman For Stretch Drive Combined Wire Services EXTRA BASES KANSAS CITY, Mo. Mussina is officially getting another look in the rotation. With Roger Clemens to miss his next start, Yankees manager Joe Torre said he plans to start Mussina in Toronto, most likely on Wednesday. Mussina lost his rotation spot after giving up 19 earned runs in 9 2 3 innings over three starts in August.

He was called upon in long relief Monday after Clemens left a game against the Mariners with elbow pain, and allowed two runs in 3 2 3 innings. pitch in Torre said. plan has Phil Hughes starting Tuesday in Toronto, Mussina Wednesday and Ian Kennedy Thursday. Andy Pet- titte would pitch the first game in Boston Friday, followed by Clemens and Chien-Ming Wang. Clemens is home in Houston.

Torre did not have an update on his conditionfollowing a cortisone shot in his right elbow, but he expects Clemens to join the team in Toronto and pitch a bullpen session. Dad Visits Sitting in his motorized scooter and beaming a smile his son said could be seen at least 35 feet away, Joba dad met the Yankees as they took the field for batting practice. great to see you, Mr. Derek Jeter said. to meet you, Alex Rodriguez said.

you be here all weekend? You will? Stricken with polio at 9 months, confined to his scooter, deaf in one ear and without full use of his left arm, Harlan Chamberlain still raised his son as a single dad. On Friday, Harlan and many friends and family made the three-hour drive from their home in Lincoln, Neb. For the first time since quick rise to the majors, he was going to see his son in person. just as proud as I can be of him, to have him be a part of this storied Harlan Chamberlain said. is great.

watched him pitch hundreds of times. But on a stage such as this, this is Friends and family are trying to figure a way for Harlan to fit his scooter into a passenger jet and travel to New York later this month for the final home series of the regular season, against Toronto. Vizcaino Resting Righthander Luis Vizcaino said his arm felt at least better. However, the Yankees still plan to give him this weekend off to rest his right shoulder. Rodriguez, who homered twiceas the DH Wednesday despite a sore ankle, was back in the lineup at third baseand homered in the second.

Said Torre: off day, I think, helped whoever needed Tiebreaker sites were determined in coin tossesand the Yankees would host a one-game playoff to determine a wild card winneragainst either the Tigers or Mariners.If the Tigers and Mariners tie, the game would be played in Detroit. Mussina Gets Start In Toronto Combined Wire Services YANKEES NOTEBOOK rides around in a maroon scooter as a result of polio as an infant, made the three-hour trip from Lincoln, Neb. Tears streamed down his cheeks as his son took the mound to start the seventh. Harlan gasped as Billy Butler hit a fly ball to the warning track in left-center, but Johnny Damon made the catch to end the inning. Chamberlain has not allowed a run in 14 1 3 innings pitched.

His only blips Friday were a single allowed to Mark Grudzielanek and another to former college teammate and childhood buddy Alex Gordon. Just before Chamberlain took the mound, Abreu put the Yankees ahead. Abreu, who has 51 RBI in 53 games since the All- Star break, doubled off the Bud Light sign in left-center to score Derek Jeter. Jeter is tied with Bernie Williams for fifth on the all-time runs scored list. Royals ace Gil Meche get a win against the Yankees last night, but pitched well enough for one.

Meche, who got a no decision, gave up two earned runs in six innings to drop his ERA a notch to 3.82. only mistakes were in giving up two home runs one to each of the two most valuable players. Rodriguez hit his third homer in two games over the left field wall to lead off the second inning. After aHideki Matsui groundout, Posada (batting .337) followed lead with a homer to right. Ian Kennedy was not nearly as sharp as in his major league debut against the Devil Rays last weekend.

He pitched in and out of trouble and uncharacteristically struggled with command. Despite his uneven outing, Kennedy held the Royals to two runs in five innings. Kennedy walked the bases loaded in the first inning, issuing walks to every other batter that he faced. But with the bases full and two out, David DeJesus popped out to second baseman Robinson Cano. The the only runs off Kennedy came in the second.

Gordon, led off the inning with a double down the right field line. Jason Smith singled him home with a hit to left-center. John Buck singled for the third straight hit off Kennedy. After a strikeout of Joey Gathright, Kennedy gave up an RBI single to Grudzielanek. But he then got two popups to end the inning.

Rivera Earns 24th Save CONTINUED FROM PAGE C1 BASEBALL tory allowed the Red Sox to maintain a 6 1 2 -game lead in the American League East over the Yankees, who beat the Royals in Kansas City, 3-2. The magic number to clinch the division dropped to 15. The number to clinch a postseason berth is 12. Youkilis set an AL record Friday night, playing his 179th consecutive game at first base without an error. Youkilis, 28, topped the AL mark of Mike Hegan, who went 178 games without an error for Milwaukee and Oakland from 1970-73.

Steve Garvey holds the major league record with 193 consecutive errorless games for the Padres from 1983-85. milestone was lost in the drama that quickly unfolded in the top of the fourth. Cabrera (9-15, 5.11) appeared to be irked when Crisp attempted to bunt on the first pitch, then allowed a single to right on the second pitch. Crisp advanced to third after consecutive groundouts by Julio Lugo and Ellsbury, setting the stage for fireworks. With Pedroia awaiting a 1-0 pitch, Crisp suddenly broke for home, then stopped.

The move- ment so rattled Cabrera, he stopped his motion in the middle of his windup an obvious balk that brought Crisp home for a 3-0 Red Sox lead. next pitch was a fastball behind ear. Red Sox manager Terry Fran- conahopped up out of the dugout while home plate umpire Mike DiMuro quickly warned both benches and headed towardCa- brera, who was screaming back at the Red Sox dugout. Cabrera broke free from first base umpire Bill Welke and challenged the Red Sox to fight, prompting both benches to empty, and for a moment it appeared a full-scale brawl was about to erupt, especially when Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez joined Cabrera in yelling at the Red Sox, while several players tried torestrainhim. But no punches were thrown, even as both bullpens scaled the left field wall to join the scrum.

The most interesting sight was Red Sox reliever Julian Tavarez, no stranger to emotional outbursts, trying to play peacemaker by calming Cabrera down. Once order was restored, Cabrera was the only oneejected. Cabrera entered game with a 1-8 record against the Red Sox with a 7.88 ERA in 10 starts. Most recently, Cabrera lost a 3-2 decision Sunday in a rare strong start, allowing three runs in six innings. But Friday night brought the same old story, albeit with the surprise ending.

The Red Sox scored twice against Cabrera in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. The big hit came from an unlikely source. J.D. lost season took another turn for the worse Thursday night, when he hit into an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in a 6-6 game in the eighth. But Drew had a highly productive batting practice session before game, and after You- kilis led off the second with a walk, Drew hit a ground-rule double into left-center, putting runners at second and third.

Jason Varitek, the pinch hit hero Thursday, followed with a single, scoring Youkilis. Crisp then hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Drew for a 2-0 lead. That was plenty of cushion for Lester, who got into his customary first-inning jambut escaped without allowing a run. Lester walked Brian Roberts leading off, and Roberts promptly stole second. But Lester got flyouts from Melvin Mora and Nick Markakis, keeping Roberts at second.

Miguel Tejada drew a two-out walk, but Lester got Kevin Millar to hit into a choice to third to end the inning. Contact Jeff Goldberg at RED SOX 4, ORIOLES 0 BOSTON ABRHBIBBSOAVG Ellsbury lf 511001.415 Pedroia 2b 501000.324 DOrtiz dh 401010.316 Lowell 3b 501002.326 Youkilis 1b 311111.291 JDrew rf 211020.253 Varitek 401102.264 Crisp cf 211110.271 JLugo ss 400001.237 Totals 3448357 BALTIMORE ABRHBIBBSOAVG BRoberts 2b 401001.295 Mora 3b 400002.263 Markakis rf 400001.294 Tejada ss 301010.308 Millar 1b 300010.259 Huff dh 300010.272 RaHernandez 400000.239 Payton lf 302000.256 Redman cf 300001.333 Totals 3104035 BOSTON BALTIMORE LOB 9, Baltimore 7. 2B (34), JDrew (25). RBI (77), Varitek (62), Crisp (55). SB (4), BRoberts (41).

SF BOSTON IPHRERBBSONPERA Lester 4-0 740024994.47 Lopez 100001123.19 Delcarmen 100010132.52 BALTIMORE IPHRERBBSONPERA DCabrera 9-15 3 2 3 63324775.11 Burres 2 2 3 11120455.85 FCabrera 1 1 3 10012275.84 Birkins 1 1 3 00001187.71 Balk Umpires Mike DiMuro; First, Bill Welke; Second, Laz Diaz; Third, Wally Bell. A Double Helps Get Red Sox Started CONTINUED FROM PAGE C1 blog www.courant.com/ redsox BALTIMORE catcher Doug Mirabelli was walking gingerly in the Red Sox clubhouse before game, a day after sustaining a moderate strain to his left hamstring running to first base in the third inning. Mirabelli, 36, said he was in- juredstretching on the final step for the bag. normal circumstances, done that many times and it never grabbed me Mirabelli said. know why I did it Mirabelli had no timetable for a return, but sensed this injury as severe as the strained left calf Aug.

17 that put him on the disabled list. Thursday was hisfirst game back from that injury. I know today is that Mirabelli said. calf was sore the first day afterward, but in five days I felt really good, and that was something that was torn. This is what calling a mild, moderate strain.

I think know a lot more in 48 hours. Right now, I want to even Manager Terry Francona said it was unlikely the team would promote another catcher. Ramirez Improving Manny Ramirez, out since Aug. 28 with a strained left oblique, continues his rehab in Boston and could begin baseball-related activities, including hitting off a tee, as early as Sunday. Sunday, Francona said.

can try to help with timetables, but there really Ramirez will spend todayat his home in Florida, tending to personal matters, with the organization giving its blessing to the trip. He is expected back in Boston Sunday morning. Francona worked out outfielder Brandon Moss at first base before game, primarily going over footwork. Moss will playfirst base for Santiago in the Dominican winter league. willing to go play winter ball, and if he has a willingness to try to do something, we want him running Francona said.

trying to win games. We want to make sure he knows the basics of the position and the game will slow down as he goes out Varitek In The Pinch Jason Varitek is 3-for-6 as a pinch hitter this season, after his winning single in the ninth inning Thursday. He is .298 (28-for-94) as a pinch hitter in his career, the highest average in the past 24 seasons. not the easiest thing to do for different people and different Varitek said. always have an adrenaline rush to deal with, and not already in the flow of the game.

not at game speed. The quicker you can get a swing in, the quicker you can get your eyes adjusted, the better off you Opponents are 1-for-45 against Jonathan Papelbon since he allowed a tying homer to Tampa Jonny Gomes July 28. Contact Jeff Goldberg at Mirabelli Optimistic On Hamstring By JEFF GOLDBERG COURANT STAFF WRITER RED SOX NOTEBOOK THE BENCHES EMPTY but no punches are thrown after the Daniel Cabrera, below right, throws behind the ear of Dustin Pedroia. Above, catcher Ramon Hernandez argues with the umpires as Red Sox manager Terry Francona, far left, adds his opinion. Cabrera was ejected.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS YANKEES 3, ROYALS 2 NEW YORK ABRHBIBBSOAVG Damon lf 501000.256 Jeter ss 411001.320 BAbreu rf 501102.288 ARodriguez 3b 413110.315 Matsui dh 400010.294 Posada 411110.336 Giambi 1b 200010.246 Mientkiewicz 1b 100000.222 Cano 2b 400001.299 MeCabrera cf 402001.294 Totals 3739345 KANSAS CITY ABRHBIBBSOAVG Gathright lf 401011.317 Grudzielanek 2b 502101.306 Gload 1b 301011.300 Butler dh 401000.299 Teahen rf 300010.288 DeJesus cf 400000.267 Gordon 3b 412000.252 JSmith ss 411102.202 Buck 301001.232 MiSweeney ph 100000.256 Totals 3529236 NEW YORK KANSAS CITY 2 (3). LOB York 12, Kansas City 9. 2B (29), Gordon (30). HR (19), off Meche; ARodriguez (49), off Meche. RBI (92), ARodriguez (135), Posada (82), Grudzielanek (46), JSmith (15).

SB (23), MeCabrera (13). CS (5). NEW YORK IPHRERBBSONPERA Kennedy 572232872.25 Farnsworth 2-1 100002114.33 Chamberlain 6 220001290.00 MRivera 24 10000173.06 KANSAS CITY IPHRERBBSONPERA Meche 6522231053.82 Musser 0-1 2 3 21121224.44 JoPeralta 1 3 0000053.71 Gobble 2 3 20000103.35 Riske 1 1 3 00001282.24 HBP Riske (Jeter). PB Umpires Home, Marty Foster; First, Paul Schrieber; Second, Fieldin Culbreth; Third, Travis Reininger. A.