Knocking the cover off the ball

It's tough to find anyone in baseball as hot as Baltimore Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora, who is batting .408 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in the 31 games since the all-star break.

After a challenging start to the season, Mora is just nine RBIs away from tying his career high of 104, set in 2004. For the season, he is batting .284 with 21 home runs and 95 RBIs.

He is signed through next season, and will earn an estimated $8 million in the final year of his contract.

Gladiator days?

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, whose team historically struggles in Oakland, said: "I just wonder why they call this place the Coliseum. Maybe every time everybody comes here, they get ready to be killed."

What is he?

There are those who believe that Grady Sizemore is a No. 3 or 4 hitter masquerading as a leadoff hitter. Games such as the Indians' 10-3 win over Kansas City on Thursday are the reason.

Sizemore had four hits, including a bases-loaded triple and a three-run homer, and he posted a career-high seven RBIs.

For the season, Sizemore's numbers look more like those of a middle-of-the-order hitter rather than those of a leadoff hitter: a .272 batting average, 29 home runs, 79 RBIs.

Manager Eric Wedge believes that it's best to have Sizemore in the leadoff spot for a couple of reasons. The first is that the Indians don't have an obvious candidate to replace him leading off.

The other reason is that Sizemore says he is very comfortable hitting first. He also has the speed to get himself into scoring position.

Making room for the rookie

One of the decisions that Detroit must make this winter is whether to clear a spot in the starting lineup for rookie outfielder Matt Joyce.

Joyce has lefthanded power, clutch-hitting ability, speed, defense and a decent arm. He has 12 home runs and 31 RBIs with a .271 batting average in 61 games.

He has been starting against righthanders for the last week or so.

"I talked to him the other day and I told him, 'I really like what I see, but you need to play with more tenacity,' " Tigers manager Jim Leyland told reporters. "He has a tendency to Cadillac it a little bit, and I just wanted to make sure he got into the right habits. Joyce is a hustler, though, don't get me wrong."

More sweet than bitter

Torii Hunter said he had no regrets about accepting the Los Angeles Angels' five-year, $90 million contract after last season, but he occasionally misses being in Minnesota.

"I was there a long time, a long time," said the seven-time Gold Glove outfielder, who spent 11 seasons with the Twins. "You can't help but feel a little homesick every once in a while. But I love it here."

Noteworthy

Nate Robertson, who gave up five home runs in a start Wednesday at Texas, was placed in Detroit's bullpen yesterday. . . . Detroit rookie pitcher Armando Galarraga has come up with six wins that followed a loss by his team. . . . The Angels' Garret Anderson went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts in Thursday's 12-inning loss to the Twins, ending his hitting streak at 23 games. . . . White Sox lefthander John Danks was 5-0 in his last nine road starts through Aug. 17, posting a 2.89 ERA in that time.

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This article contains information from the Associated Press

and USA Today.

Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583

or ktatum@phillynews.com.