Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

[Dauis]

Wow. He must've given a great interview.

[Moriarty9]

Mariners, Marlins make move
Florida reels in Cruz in exchange for Miller
June 11, 1999

SEATTLE — The Mariners and Florida Marlins agreed to a trade this morning, sending a young outfielder to Miami in exchange for a veteran catcher.

Jose Cruz, Jr., will be suiting up with the Marlins while Damian Miller heads west to Seattle.

Cruz, 25, is a switch-hitter thought to have good potential and talent. He hit .259 with 14 home runs, 37 RBI, 42 runs, and 10 stolen bases in 58 games with Seattle. He's a .252 career hitter with 58 home runs and 174 RBI in 334 games with the Mariners. Cruz is expected to become Florida's regular center fielder and bat in the latter half of the Marlins lineup.

Miller, 29, hit .327 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 53 games with Florida this season. He is a lifetime .266 hitter with 20 home runs and 98 RBI in 722 at bats with the Marlins. He is known as a solid defensive catcher. Miller may split time with Mariners catcher Brent Mayne.

[Moriarty9]

Zito, Pineiro head draft class
Highly touted prospects picked up in draft
June 15, 1999

NEW YORK — The 1999 amateur draft was held today, and it was left-handed pitcher Barry Zito of Las Vegas taken first overall by the San Francisco Giants.

Right-handed pitcher Joel Pineiro, 20, of Puerto Rico, was selected second overall by the Cleveland Indians. The Arizona Diamondbacks chose Memphis, Tennessee native Chuck Smith, a right-handed pitcher, with the third overall pick. The Pittsburgh Pirates, with the fourth overall selection, chose Blackwell, Oklahoma's Brad Penny, a right-handed pitcher. Shawn Wooten was the first position player selected in the draft, chosen fifth overall by the Chicago Cubs. Wooten is a hefty catcher from Glendora, California.

With the sixth pick, it was Tampa right-hander Brian Tollberg taken by the Detroit Tigers while left-handed pitcher Mark Mulder of Illinois was taken by the Texas Rangers with the seventh pick of the draft. Mark Buerhle, another southpaw, was taken by the Oakland Athletics with the eighth overall pick while the Boston Red Sox chose Californian right-hander Dave Coggin with the ninth overall selection. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, with the tenth overall draft pick, selected shortstop Jimmy Rollins of Oakland, California.

[Moriarty9]

Rays bolster prospect depth in draft
Organization takes advantage of three second round picks
June 15, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays added a significant amount of young talent to the organization today through the annual amateur draft.

The Devil Rays had the tenth overall pick of the draft and, through compensation picks, had three selections in the second round.

With the tenth pick of the draft, the Devil Rays chose shortstop Jimmy Rollins. A native of Oakland, the 20-year-old Rollins has great speed, is considered a strong defensive shortstop, and an adequate hitter.

In the second round, Tampa Bay picked up Jason Marquis with the eighth pick (38th overall), Aubrey Huff with the tenth pick (40th overall), and Milton Bradley with the fifteenth selection (45th pick). Marquis, a 20-year-old native of Manhasset, New York, is a right-handed pitcher Devil Rays scouts believe will be a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher as he matures. Huff, 22, of Marion, Ohio, is a third baseman that hits left-handed. Huff has a strong arm and is projected to be a good gap hitter. Bradley, a 21-year-old switch-hitter, is a strong defensive ballplayer with average speed, and scouts believe he will prove to be a strong gap hitter with good plate discipline.

In the third round, the Devil Rays selected right-handed pitcher Seth Etherton of California. Other draft selections included outfielder Xavier Nady of California (4th round), right-handed pitcher Scott Linebrink of Austin, Texas (5th round), left-handed firstbaseman and outfielder Ross Gload of Brooklyn (6th round), and right-handed Californian Derrick Turnbow.

[Moriarty9]

Pedro suffers first loss
Devil Rays fall to Twins, 5-4, at Metrodome
June 20, 1999

MINNEAPOLIS — Pedro Martinez took the mound at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome tonight looking to improve his record to 10-0, but instead fell to 9-1.

In an uncharacteristic start, Martinez gave up five runs on 10 hits and no walks, striking out only four Minnesota Twins hitters over seven innings of work.

"Everyone has an off night," said Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "Some guys have more than others and Pedro, this year, has had more off innings than off nights, but tonight was an off night."

The Twins scored in the first with a John Jaha RBI double and added to their lead in the third inning with a John Valentin two-run home run to leftfield. Valentin and catcher Javier Valentin picked up RBI doubles in the fourth inning to pad their lead to 5-1.

The Devil Rays tried to rally in the seventh inning, scoring three runs, two of which came from a Carlos Beltran double.

The loss puts Tampa Bay at 40-28, just 4 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees, who lost 10-1 to the Anaheim Angels at Yankee Stadium tonight.

[Moriarty9]

Reds send Fordyce packing
Orioles deal Mora, minor leaguer to Cincy
June 22, 1999

BALTIMORE — The Orioles and Cincinnati Reds announced a three-player trade this morning that caught some by surprise.

The Reds sent catcher Brook Fordyce to Baltimore for utility man Melvin Mora and minor league infielder Carlos Hernandez.

Fordyce was surprised by the move, having hit .295 with nine home runs and 35 RBI this year, putting him on pace to hit 21 home runs and 83 RBI. His power numbers to this point are already career highs for the 29-year-old backstop, although he has only 122 games of big league experience prior to this season.

Mora has played five different positions for Baltimore this year, not including four appearances as the Orioles designated hitter, providing a great deal of flexibility to the roster. The 27-year-old rookie has hit .247 with six home runs, 21 RBI and three triples in 190 at bats so far. He began the season in AAA.

Hernandez, 23, has no big league experience and is primarily a secondbaseman, though he has played some short in his minor league career. Hernandez hit .340 with six home runs, 34 RBI, 41 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 54 games with Baltimore's AA affiliate this year.

Fordyce will take over as Baltimore's regular catcher while Mike Redmond (.299, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 107 ABs) will likely take over as the starter in Cincinnati. Some reports out of Cincinnati, however, suggest minor league backstop Javier Cardona will be added to the roster and will see a significant amount of time behind the plate for the Reds.

Mora will likely play off the bench with the majority of his time coming on the left side of the infield or possibly in place of centerfielder Curtis Goodwin.

Hernandez will be assigned to one of Cincinnati's minor league affiliates.

[Moriarty9]

Darensbourg suspended nine games
Lefty reliever struggling on and off field this season
June 26, 1999

TORONTO — Tampa Bay Devil Rays left-handed relief pitcher Vic Darensbourg may be wearing out his welcome after the league suspended him nine games for his involvement in a brawl yesterday.

Darensbourg hit Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Midre Cummings with a pitch during yesterday's 8-6 loss at Skydome. The two exchanged words and a bench-clearing brawl followed. Darensbourg and Cummings were both ejected and have both been assessed nine game suspensions.

The Devil Rays front office declined to comment on the suspension other to say, through a press release: "The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are disappointed with what happened during yesterday's game and do not condone such action. The league has handed down its verdict on the appropriate course of disciplinary action and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays will honor that decision."

Darensbourg pitched well in 29 appearances with the Devil Rays last year but has struggled mightily this year. In 14 games, the lefty is 1-2 with a 11.37 ERA, a .321 opponents average against, and a 2.29 WHIP. He was sent to AAA earlier in the season, where he threw 15 shutout innings out of the bullpen before being called up when Gabe White was placed on the disabled list with a finger injury. Since being recalled, Darensbourg has given up six earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Most of those runs have come on the three home runs he's yielded in that time.

[Moriarty9]

Suspended Darensbourg dealt away
Devil Rays acquire minor league lefty from Twins
June 27, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One day after the league announced a nine-game suspension of left-handed reliever Vic Darensbourg, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays cut all ties with the struggling southpaw.

Darensbourg, 28, was quietly placed on waivers two days ago after being ejected from a game agains the Toronto Blue Jays in which Darensbourg and Midre Cummings began a bench-clearing brawl. When the suspension was announced, Darensbourg was designated for assignment. This morning, a trade with the Minnesota Twins was announced.

"We wish Mr. Darensbourg the best in his future endeavors," said the Devil Rays General Manager. "Perhaps a change in scenery will better suit the young man."

Darensbourg is 1-2 with a 11.37 ERA in 14 games this year, though he was fantastic in 14 relief outings with Tampa Bay's AAA affiliate.

In return, the Devil Rays acquire Benj Sampson, a 26-year-old southpaw with no big league experience. He is expected to take Darensbourg's spot in the bullpen.

[Moriarty9]

Chen shines in Devil Rays debut
Young lefty throws complete game against Boston
July 7, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Making his first big league appearance since 1997, Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Bruce Chen recorded a complete game victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox tonight.

Chen held the Boston bats to one run on six hits and no walks, striking out seven over 97 pitches in nine innings of work in his Devil Rays debut. The 22-year-old lefty was acquired in the expansion draft prior to last season and has posted a 27-9 record in the Tampa Bay minor leagues since. His only big league experience prior to tonight's start came during four starts with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1997, during which he went 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in 21 innings.

"The kid really pitched a good ballgame," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "He threw strikes, kept the guys fresh in the field by working quick and not having to throw too many pitches. He really threw a good game out there tonight."

Chen was called up earlier this week to replace the struggling Kip Wells, who was demoted to AAA.

Chen didn't much run support, but Tampa Bay's three runs were enough to come away with the victory. Carlos Beltran, Jose Hernandez and Andruw Jones each picked up a RBI in the game while Jones and Paul Konerko were the only Devil Rays with two hits.

Kevin Ritz had one of his best outings of the season for Boston, giving up three runs in 4 2/3 innings. He falls to 0-8 with an 8.63 ERA on the season.

Nomar Garciaparra knocked in the lone run of the game for the Red Sox, hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning, his fourteenth of the season.

With the win, the improbable Devil Rays improve to 48-36. They move to just six games behind the first place New York Yankees in the American League East and now have sole possession of the Wild Card race, just one game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays.

[Jamee999]

Nice dynasty, keep it up

[Moriarty9]

I had a lengthy article on the All Star Game selections but Internet Explorer randomly crashed on me toward the end. So, now you get just the list of the guys selected and their basic stats (AVG, HR, RBI for position players; W-L, Sv, ERA for pitchers).


AMERICAN LEAGUE
P Chris Carpenter (TOR): 9-5, 3.34 ERA
2B Ray Durham (NYY): .322, 8 HR, 40 RBI
CF Bernie Williams (NYY): .327, 17 HR, 77 RBI
DH Nomar Garciaparra (BOS): .302, 15 HR, 54 RBI
1B Mark McGwire (OAK): .278, 36 HR, 91 RBI
RF Juan Gonzalez (TEX): .345, 28 HR, 82 RBI
SS Alex Rodriguez (SEA): .293, 22 HR, 76 RBI
C Ivan Rodriguez (TEX): .348, 12 HR, 66 RBI
LF Darin Erstad (ANA): .360, 16 HR, 63 RBI
3B Corey Koskie (ANA): 316, 10 HR, 45 RBI

C: Jorge Posada (NYY): .314, 16 HR, 62 RBI
1B: Will Clark (NYY): .377, 6 HR, 41 RBI
1B: Carlos Delgado (TOR): .347, 35 HR, 75 RBI
SS: Derek Jeter (NYY): .349, 12 HR, 51 RBI
OF: Steve Cox (DET): .369, 12 HR, 34 RBI
OF: Ken Griffey, Jr. (SEA): .338, 34 HR, 92 RBI
OF: Ellis Burks (CLE): .306, 26 HR, 84 RBI
SP: Jimmy Anderson (CLE): 8-2, 2.83
SP: A.J. Burnett (ANA): 9-2, 3.31
SP: Randy Johnson (SEA): 15-0, 3.64
SP: Pedro Martinez (TB): 12-1, 2.98
SP: Steve Wojciechowski (OAK): 8-3, 3.09
RP: Paul Quantrill (TB): 1-3, 16 Sv, 1.66
RP: Mike Jackson (MIN): 3-3, 23 Sv, 3.93
RP: Derek Lowe (SEA): 2-5, 20 Sv, 2.63
RP: Robb Nen (TOR): 5-3, 20 Sv, 3.23
RP: Mike Trombley (DET): 3-2, 16 Sv, 2.57
RP: Mike Williams (BAL): 3-6, 17 Sv, 3.20

NATIONAL LEAGUE
P Mike Hampton (HOU): 10-4, 3.03
CF J.D. Drew (NYM): .323, 14 HR, 48 RBI
C Mike Piazza (LA): .324, 24 HR, 68 RBI
RF Larry Walker (COL): .348, 21 HR, 61 RBI
3B Chipper Jones (ATL): .298, 20 HR, 70 RBI
LF Moises Alou (CIN): .361, 30 HR, 71 RBI
DH Jeff Bagwell (HOU): .314, 23 HR, 88 RBI
1B Todd Helton (COL): .364, 25 HR, 75 RBI
2B David Newhan (CIN): .321, 15 HR, 46 RBI
SS Edgar Renteria (FLA): .278, 5 HR, 43 RBI

C: Dave Nilsson (SF): .308, 15 HR, 42 RBI
1B: John Olerud (NYM): .324, 13 HR, 43 RBI
1B: Fred McGriff (ATL): .336, 15 HR, 42 RBI
OF: Lance Berkman (NYM): .324, 23 HR, 64 RBI
OF: Kenny Lofton (ATL): .313, 17 HR, 60 RBI
OF: Vladimir Guerrero (MON): .319, 23 HR, 66 RBI
OF: Armando Rios (ATL): .294, 16 HR, 73 RBI
SP: Kevin Brown (FLA): 12-1, 2.34
SP: John Halama (MON): 9-3, 3.65
SP: Scott Karl (MIL): 8-8, 3.21
SP: Donovan Osborne (PHI): 9-2, 3.51
SP: John Smoltz (ATL): 13-1, 2.52
RP: Tim Crabtree (PIT): 5-0, 0 Sv, 3.17
RP: Rocky Bottalico (CHC): 1-5, 18 Sv, 2.17
RP: Lou Pote (STL): 3-4, 17 Sv, 4.59
RP: John Rocker (COL): 4-2, 21 Sv, 3.27
RP: Jeff Shaw (CIN): 5-4, 17 Sv, 4.12
RP: Bob Wickman (MIL): 1-3, 20 Sv, 3.28

[Moriarty9]

AL shuts out Senior Circuit
Durham named All Star Game MVP
July 13, 1999

MINNEAPOLIS — When you have a starting lineup of J.D. Drew, Mike Piazza, Larry Walker, Chipper Jones, Moises Alou, Jeff Bagwell, Todd Helton, David Newhan and Edgar Renteria, you figure you can count on getting at least a few runs.

The American League All Star team's pitching staff, however, figured they could hold that National League lineup to just a few hits.

The A.L. picked up a 9-0 win over their N.L. counterparts, holding the Senior Circuit lineup to just three hits in the annual All Star Game.

Chris Carpenter threw two shutout innings while Mike Williams, Mike Jackson, Jimmy Anderson, Mike Trombley, Paul Quantrill, Derek Lowe, and Robb Nen threw one shutout inning each. Carpenter, Anderson and Quantrill each allowed one basehit. Bagwell picked up one hit for the National League while Helton secured two hits.

The American League lineup was led by leadoff hitter Ray Durham, who had as many hits as the N.L. lineup combined. Durham went 3-for-5 with two runs and four RBI, hitting a three-run home run and coming just a single shy of hitting for the cycle. For his efforts, Durham was awarded the MVP trophy.

Ivan Rodriguez had two hits and three RBI for the American League.

[Moriarty9]

Devil Rays open second half in second
Hope to pad Wild Card lead down the stretch
July 15, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays come out of just the second All Star break of their young existence sitting in unexpected territory: contention for a playoff spot.

The Devil Rays are 50-38 as they enter the second half of the season, sitting eight games behind the division-leading New York Yankees but two games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Wild Card race.

"Our pitching staff is the reason we are where we are," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "Not that we don't have some good hitters, but the pitching is what has gotten us where we are."

That pitching staff is led by Cy Young candidate Pedro Martinez and veteran reliever Paul Quantrill — both All Stars this year. Martinez is 12-1 with a 2.98 ERA in his 19 first half starts, putting him on pace to go 22-2 with 256 strikeouts.

"Pedro has been lights out," O'Neal said. "We knew he had the stuff, the talent, the mentality to be this good and that's why we signed him before last year."

Aaron Sele, who missed much of last season with a back injury, is pitching well in a contract-season. Sele is 9-2 with a 3.70 ERA, putting him on pace for a 17-4 record in 33 starts. Kevin Millwood has been inconsistent thus far, but has shown good potential. He is 7-6 with a 4.24 ERA, putting him on pace for a 13-11 season.

Chad Ogea has been at the back-end of the rotation, putting together a 5-9 record with a 4.29 ERA. He is on pace for a disappointing 17 losses.

In the bullpen, Quantrill has emerged as the closer, going 1-3 with 16 saves and a 1.66 ERA in 33 appearances. He had 16 saves after taking over much of last year as the Devil Rays closer, setting a career high. He is on pace to nearly double that personal best with 29 saves.

Gabe White has been a fine left-handed reliever for Tampa Bay, going 1-1 with two saves and a 3.05 ERA in 19 games. Danny Graves, an early candidate for the closer's role, has been inconsistent out of the bullpen, going 0-2 with one save and a 4.50 ERA in 23 games.

Byung-Hyun Kim has shown some signs of ability but has largely been an adequate reliever at best, going 3-1 with a 5.01 ERA in 23 games. Rich Garces started strong but has faded this summer. El Guapo current owns a 3-1 record with one save and a 5.90 ERA in 29 games.

Todd Jones is currently sitting in AAA after starting the year as the Devil Rays closer. He lost that job, and ultimately his roster spot, by struggling to a 3-2 record with four saves and a 6.55 ERA in 31 games. He has struggled early on in the minor leagues, posting a 8.10 ERA in 3 1/3 innings.

Offensively, Paul Konerko has been the star, hitting .312 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI in 84 games. The second-year player is on pace to hit 31 home runs and 122 RBI.

Future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson has been a pleasant surprise at age 40. Henderson signed a $400,000 deal this offseason and fought for a roster spot. Though he has struggled in recent weeks, Henderson enters the second half with a .287 average, three homers, 32 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 181 at bats.

Erubiel Durazo has made himself a Rookie of the Year candidate by hitting .265 with 17 home runs and 72 RBI in 86 game with 52 walks.

Entering the season as the backup catcher, Charles Johnson has taken over behind the plate by hitting .281 with 15 home runs and 40 RBI in just 196 at bats. He is on pace to set career highs in home runs (28), RBI (74) and runs (70) in just 361 at bats.

Raul Mondesi was strong early and comes out of the break with a .270 average, 12 homers and 39 RBI while fellow outfielder Andruw Jones has hit .263 with five homers and 36 RBI in 62 games.

Carlos Beltran, who started the season on the disabled list, has been productive when in the lineup, hitting .309 with five home runs and 31 RBI in 51 games.

Jose Hernandez has spent most of the season at shortstop, hitting .250 with 9 home runs, 33 RBI and 38 runs in 79 games while outfielder Benny Agbayani has hit .263 with 8 homers and 23 RBI in 50 games. Speedy Mike Cameron has hit .247 with seven home runs and 22 RBI, stealing 13 bases, in 158 at bats.

Dan Wilson lost his starting gig with his .216 average in the first half, hitting five home runs and 22 RBI in 44 games. Wilton Guerrero has found himself fighting for playing time despite his .307 average. Guerrero has two homers and 17 RBI in 31 games.

Dave Berg made the most of his opportunities to start due to injuries, hitting .290 with one home run and 23 RBI in 74 games. Jeff Frye may see his playing time diminish if he doesn't improve upon his first half, in which the scrappy infielder hit .240 with no home runs, 16 RBI and 26 runs in 66 games.

[Moriarty9]

Anderson dealt to Indians
Casey joins Giants lineup tonight
July 19, 1999

HOUSTON — Garret Anderson and Sean Casey knew they'd be playing ball tonight in Texas, but neither player expected to be playing in a different city then the one they fell asleep in last night.

The San Francisco Giants dealt Anderson to the Cleveland Indians for Casey this morning, giving Cleveland some extra ammunition as they fight for their division crown. The Giants have the worst record in the National League.

Both teams are in the Lone Star State as Interleague Play continues. The Indians are in Houston to take on the Astros while the Giants are in Arlington to play the Texas Rangers. Each player is expected to make the trip down Route 45 to their new teams in time for tonight's games.

Anderson will take over in centerfield for the Indians, replacing Ruben Mateo. Anderson hit .319 with 11 home runs, 55 RBI and 30 runs scored for the Giants. The move may not be a popular one with Mateo, who has hit .308 with 12 home runs, 52 RBI and has scored 44 runs in 80 games for Cleveland so far.

The move is a good one for Casey, who saw limited playing time behind firstbasemen/designated hitters Jim Thome and Richie Sexson. Casey hit .293 with three homers and 34 RBI with Cleveland. San Francisco's Fernando Seguignol will likely see less playing time as a result of the trade, despite hitting .280 with 14 home runs and 36 RBI in 85 games.

"We'll sort things out as we move along here," said Giants manager James Riley, who served as Indians manager last year. "Sean is a good, professional hitter who will help out this ballclub."

[Moriarty9]

Mondesi pinch hit slam leads Rays
Seven-run seventh puts Tampa Bay ahead of Phillies
July 19, 1999

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Raul Mondesi wasn't in the starting lineup tonight, but he made the biggest contribution for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in his lone at bat as a pinch hitter.

Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal decided to pinch hit for Mike Cameron — who was 2-for-3 in the game — with Mondesi in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and one out with Mark Leiter on the mound for the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

Leiter tried to get ahead of Mondesi with a first pitch fastball on the inside half of the plate but the pitch was belted to deep left field for a 357-foot line drive grand slam.

"I'm not sure I've seen a home run hit that quick," O'Neal said. "That ball went from the barrel of the bat to some guy's lap in about point-two seconds."

Asked what led him to hit for Cameron, who already had two hits, in that situation, O'Neal cited intuition.

"It was just a gut feeling," he said with a shrug. "Sometimes you do that and it doesn't work out. Tonight it worked out a whole lot better than I expected. I was hoping to get a couple runs out of that bases loaded situation with two outs to go but I'll take the grand slam any time."

Mondesi was not the only batter to hit a home run in the 11-5 Devil Rays win. While no Phillies knocked one out of the park, Paul Konerko, Carlos Beltran and Benny Agbayani each hit a home run.

Devil Rays starter Bruce Chen did not earn the win after giving up three runs in six innings. He danced out of danger, giving up 12 hits. Despite the baserunners, Philadelphia was unable to score until they pushed three men across the plate in the sixth inning.

[Moriarty9]

Jeter extends streak to 30 games
Yankee shortstop more than halfway to record
July 23, 1999

NEW YORK — It was almost 60 years ago that Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games for the Yankees. Now, Derek Jeter is more than half way there, having picked up at least one basehit in 30 straight games.

Jeter has rebounded nicely from a disappointing .263 average last season to an impressive .357 so far this year, highlighted by a 30-game hit streak that continued tonight at Yankee Stadium.

Extending the hit streak was anything but guaranteed as the Yankees shortstop was 0-for-4 heading to the ninth inning with Jeter due fifth in the inning. Jeter got that last chance and took advantage of it with a full count single off Cleveland Indians reliever Billy Koch.

The Yankees host Cleveland tomorrow night with Charles Nagy taking the mound for the Indians. Jeter has a .333 average against Nagy, with seven hits, including one home run, in 33 career at bats.

[Moriarty9]

Langston picks up 200th victory
Veteran lefty improves to 5-4 on season
July 24, 1999

BALTIMORE — Angels pitcher Mark Langston recorded his 200th career victory this afternoon at Camden Yards as Anaheim topped the Orioles 10-5.

Langston gave up five runs, three earned, on three hits and no walks with two strikeouts in seven innings of work en route to securing his milestone victory.

[Moriarty9]

Jeter's hit parade continues
Shortstop gets one hit to extend streak
July 24, 1999

NEW YORK — Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter singled in the first inning of today's game against the Cleveland Indians, extending his hit streak in his first at bat.

Jeter was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning, flew out in the fifth inning and struck out in the eighth inning, finishing the day 1-for-3. He has now hit in 31 straight games.

The Yankees wrap up their home series against Cleveland tomorrow afternoon as Orlando Hernandez toes the slab.

Jeter has hit Hernandez well in his career, hitting .333 with six hits in 18 at bats. Hernandez is 6-9 with a 6.02 ERA in 19 starts with a 1.62 WHIP and .304 average against.

[Moriarty9]

Yankees shortstop makes it 32
Jeter inches closer to DiMaggio's magical mark
July 25, 1999

NEW YORK — Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter extended his hit streak to 32 games with a first inning single, his only hit of this afternoon's game.

Jeter singled off Cleveland Indians pitcher Orlando Hernandez in the first inning, grounded out in the third and eighth innings with a flyball out in the sixth inning.

The Yankees are off tomorrow as they travel to Chicago for a three-game set with the White Sox before going to Boston for three games with the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

The White Sox are expected to send veteran southpaw Jeff Fassero to the mound on Tuesday. Fassero, 36, is 5-8 with a 5.13 ERA in 19 games, 14 starts, with a 1.67 WHIP and .291 average against. Jeter has not fared well against Fassero, having collected just two hits in 16 lifetime at bats. Jeter is hitting .366 against left-handed pitchers this season.

[Moriarty9]

Big injury for Mariners
Undefeated Johnson out for season
July 25, 1999

MINNEAPOLIS — Baseball fans everywhere have been robbed of what may have been the most dominant pitching performance in history as undefeated Randy Johnson is done for the season.

The Seattle Mariners ace ruptured a tricep tendon during this afternoon's game against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome, forcing him to the disabled list for the rest of the season.

Johnson was a remarkable 17-0 with a 3.40 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 22 starts this season, putting him on pace for an unbelievable 28-0 with 334 strikeouts.

Johnson was not available for comment and Mariners manager Lou Piniella deferred comment until further information was available.

The injury makes Tampa Bay Devil Rays ace Pedro Martinez the new front-runner for the Cy Young award. Martinez is 12-1 with a 3.24 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 22 starts this season. He is on pace to go 20-2 for the season.