First baseman Mike Sweeney was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday by the Kansas City Royals, retroactive to June 19, one day after Sweeney left a game against Minnesota with tightness in his upper back.
“Mike was examined this morning and the diagnosis is he has nerve irritation where the neck and upper back come together,” Royals trainer Nick Swartz said.
Sweeney tops the AL Central-leading Royals in most offensive categories, including homers (12), RBIs (50) and batting average (.321).
Boyd suspended
Indians reliever Jason Boyd was suspended three games and fined $1,500 for bumping umpire Dana DeMuth during an argument last weekend.
Boyd said he will appeal the penalty, meaning he can continue to play until the process is complete.
Saturday deadline
Texas slugger Juan Gonzalez said he will likely take until the last minute before deciding whether to accept or reject a trade to the Montreal Expos.
Gonzalez, in the last year of his $24 million, two-year deal with the Rangers, has until Saturday morning to invoke a no-trade clause.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Detroit 4 at Boston 6
W: Martinez (5-2)
L: Roney (0-2)
S: Lyon (9)
Pedro Martinez picked up 1st win since May 15 as Red Sox finished 4-game sweep. “It’s something we anticipated,” Boston’s Todd Walker said. “Then again, they’re a big-league team.”
N.Y. Yankees 4 at Tampa Bay 3
W: Mussina (10-4)
L: Standridge (0-3)
S: Rivera (12)
New Yankees reliever Dan Miceli pitched out of 2-on, 1-out jam in 8th. “I introduced myself after the game,” N.Y. starter Mike Mussina said. “I told him, `That’s pretty good pitching.”‘
Baltimore 8 at Toronto 13
W: Sturtze (6-4)
L: Driskill (1-3)
Carlos Delgado hit 2 HRs for Blue Jays to increase AL-leading total to 25. “Numbers are great, but I personally want to get to the playoffs,” Delgado said. “I know I can hit 40 home runs.”
Kansas City 4 at Cleveland 1
W: Lima (2-0)
L: Rodriguez (3-8)
S: MacDougal (19)
Indians loaded bases with none out in 4th but failed to score. “Make no mistake about it, we have to do a better job offensively,” Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said.
Oakland 13 at Texas 0
W: Hudson (6-3)
L: Valdes (6-4)
Scott Hatteberg, Eric Chavez and Terrence Long hit HRs in 3rd inning and Tim Hudson pitched 3-hit ball for 7 innings for Athletics, who tied season best with 13 runs.
Seattle 10 at Anaheim 6
W: Meche (10-3)
L: Washburn (6-9)
S: Hasegawa (2)
Edgar Martinez set Seattle record for career RBIs with 2-run homer. He has 1,153 RBIs, one more than Ken Griffey Jr. Bret Boone hit 2-run shot. Defending champs dropped 13 1/2 back in West.
