It was Astros manager Cecil Cooper's intention Sunday afternoon in Atlanta to give Tejada a full day off, but the shortstop ended up playing nine innings after entering the game as a late defensive replacement in a contest that lasted 17 innings. Cooper

they changed things up a bit, beating the Pirates without the interruption of dark, ominous skies, or 17-inning marathons or heartbreaking setbacks in the wee hours of the next morning. Instead, they received a well-pitched game, timely hits from the

Lee is in last place, behind Brewers third baseman Corey Hart, Mets third baseman David Wright, Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell and Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand. The top three NL candidates each have accumulated nearly 4 million votes. Rays third

MILWAUKEE -- CC Sabathia gave up two earned runs and five hits over six innings for Milwaukee in a 7 -3 victory over Colorado in the National League on Tuesday, a day after he was acquired in a trade with Cleveland. Sabathia (1-0), the reigning American

NEW YORK -- Derek Jeter had a big hit and made a big play in the field to back Andy Pettitte in New York's 5-0 win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Jeter had an early go-ahead double off starter Scott Kazmir, and made a stellar play in the seventh that

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez's decision to opt out of his contract last October cost him US$200,000 (e uro127,500) in All-Star bonuses from the New York Yankees this year. Rodriguez's old deal, which he agreed to with Texas before the 2001 season,

The flooding in Des Moines affected three levels of the Cubs organization.Triple-A Iowa not only had a June 13 game postponed, but the next game the following day was played in front of a crowd of zero fans.

At present the National League Central contains three of the best teams in the National League: Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee. Two teams in that group made the first big moves of the trade season, picking up pitchers they hope will get them into a

C.C. Sabathia's been traded and so too has Rich Harden. That leaves A.J. Burnett as one of the most intriguing arms circling through the pre-trade deadline rumour mill, and he gave potential suitors lots to think about Wednesday night. The enigmatic

NEW YORK (AP)Alex Rodriguez tied Mickey Mantle for 13th place on the home run list, hitting No. 536 Sunday night in the game against the . Rodriguezs 18th home run of the season came in the second inning against Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. A-Rod