Just when Rickey Henderson is getting hot, he may find himself out of San Diego’s lineup.
Henderson continued his hot pace of the past 1 1/2 weeks, going 3 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored Sunday in the Padres’ 6-4 win over the Florida Marlins.
Henderson, 37, has reached base 27 times in his last 51 at-bats on 13 hits, 13 walks and one hit-by-pitch. Problem is, with Tony Gwynn scheduled to return from the disabled list this week, Henderson might be out of manager Bruce Bochy’s plans. Gwynn will certainly return in right field, Steve Finley is having a career season in center, and Greg Vaughn, acquired in a trade with Milwaukee, is the power hitter the Padres have desired since spring training.
“If if takes for four of us to rotate so we can win, then I’m all for it,” Henderson said. “But if it means for me to sit down, then we’ll have problems.”
Spoken like a true team player.
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Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott wants General Manager Jim Bowden to be the team’s chief executive officer for the rest of her 2 1/2-year absence from baseball, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Sunday. The newspaper, quoting an unidentified National League source, said NL President Leonard Coleman Jr. won’t allow Bowden to fill the position unless he gives up his general manager duties. The source said Bowden, 35, told Coleman he didn’t want to do that.
Schott has until Sunday to nominate her long-term replacement as CEO, who must then receive baseball’s approval.
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That’s a wrap: Fred McGriff broke out of a slump with four singles and scored the winning run in Atlanta’s 6-4 victory over the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The win capped the Braves’ 20-day, 6,493-mile excursion with a 9-8 record. “I think everybody’s brains are about fried, and we’re physically beat up,” said manager Bobby Cox.
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Around the horn: Glenallen Hill, who has been on rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Phoenix while coming back from a broken wrist sustained May 27, is scheduled to rejoin the Giants on Monday. . . . Shane Andrews hit a two-run triple in Montreal’s 7-3 victory over Cincinnati, making him 16 for 34 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in 11 games against the Reds this season. . . . Todd Hundley broke Gary Carter’s Mets record for home runs by a catcher with his 33rd, but the Cardinals pulled out a 4-2 victory. Dennis Eckersley got one out for his 341st career save, tying him for third on the all-time list with Rollie Fingers.
