Touch 'Em All: Astros' Lee blocks trade to Los Angeles
Maybe he doesn't like avocado, or prefers pizza with pepperoni instead of pineapple. But whatever the reason, first baseman Carlos Lee would not accept a trade from bottom-feeding Houston to the contending Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Maybe he doesn't like avocado, or prefers pizza with pepperoni instead of pineapple.
But whatever the reason, first baseman Carlos Lee would not accept a trade from bottom-feeding Houston to the contending Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lee has a limited no-trade clause and his permission was needed to complete the deal. ESPN The Magazine said Lee, who is the final season of a six-year contract, told the Astros on Sunday that he would not allow the trade.
The injury-depleted Dodgers were shut out for the sixth time in 12 games on Saturday and have produced only two runs in their last 57 innings.
Tough day for L.A.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia was ejected in the sixth inning of Sunday's game at Toronto for arguing with plate umpire James Hoye.
Scioscia was furious after Toronto's Brett Lawrie crashed into Angels catcher John Hester, with Lawrie appearing to lift his forearms just prior to the collision and striking Hester across the jaw.
Stat of the day
This might surprise you, but Yankee centerfielder Curtis Granderson has 64 home runs since the start of 2011, behind only Blue Jays' slugger Jose Bautista (69) for the most in the majors in that span.
Strasburg recovers
Righthander Stephen Strasburg, who entered Sunday leading the majors with 122 strikeouts, required three intravenous fluid treaments on Saturday due to severe dehydration in Atlanta's record 106-degree heat. On Sunday he said he was fine after a good night's sleep.
Around the bigs
Jim Thome went 0 for 4 in his debut with Baltimore. Acquired Saturday in a trade with the Phillies, the 41-year-old slugger struck out twice and grounded out twice.
The Milwaukee Brewers sported special green jerseys with red trim featuring the word "Birrai," the Italian translation for "Brewers," as part of Italian Heritage Day at Miller Park.
Washington's Gio Gonzalez, who pitched for Oakland last season, beat Atlanta on Sunday to improve to 11-1 with a 2.85 ERA in his last 13 road starts.
The Cardinals' bullpen entered Sunday's game with 13 blown saves in 29 chances.
Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent were among the former Giants who returned to San Francisco on Sunday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2002 pennant winner.
This article contains information from the Associated Press.