Javy Lopez was back in the Orioles’ starting lineup Friday, 48 hours after taking a rare day off because of lower back pain.
Lopez couldn’t swing a bat without cringing Wednesday, but he was much better Friday afternoon after getting two days off–and taking a generous dose of painkillers.
“I feel great now,” said the catcher who has missed only five games this season.
Asked if he would have preferred to serve as the designated hitter in Friday night’s game, Lopez said, “I don’t want to play DH. If I’m going to play, I want to play catcher.”
Not quite ready
Twins center fielder Torii Hunter was held out of the starting lineup for Friday’s game against Cleveland, a day after straining his neck when he slammed into the fence trying to catch a drive by the Yankees’ Jorge Posada.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said the injury wasn’t as serious as it first appeared.
Hunter tried to talk his manager into playing against the Indians, but Gardenhire decided to hold Hunter out as a precaution.
Extra innings
Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi, diagnosed with a benign tumor last month, continues to get treatment for a strained left groin in Tampa and might resume running outdoors next week. . . . Red Sox infielder Mark Bellhorn, out since Aug. 1 with a broken left thumb, was activated from the disabled list but didn’t play Friday. . . . Highly touted Devil Rays rookie shortstop B.J. Upton probably will see only limited playing time in the field for a while after committing five errors in 11 games.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
Anaheim 5 at N.Y. Yankees 0
W: Ortiz (4-7)
L: Lieber (9-8)
With main scoreboards blackened by power problem, Ramon Ortiz pitched lights out–4-hit ball for 8 innings. Adam Kennedy, Garret Anderson homered. Angels have won 8 of 9 on road.
Seattle 3 at Detroit 8
W: Robertson (10-7)
L: Villone (4-4)
Craig Monroe went 4-for-5 with a tiebreaking homer to back Nate Robertson. Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki went 3-for-4 in return to lineup after getting hit in head by a pitch Wednesday.
Oakland 9 at Tampa Bay 5
W: Harden (8-5)
L: Sosa (3-3)
S: Dotel (13)
Eric Chavez homered twice and Bobby Crosby went 3-for-5 with HR to stop 0-for-14 slide. Rich Harden won 5th straight decision as A’s moved season-high 17 games over .500 at 69-52.
Toronto 14 at Baltimore 4
W: Towers (9-4)
L: Borkowski (3-4)
Chris Woodward hit 1st career grand slam, Orlando Hudson had 3 hits as Jays ended 6-game road skid. The Orioles have lost 4 in a row, all at home, by a combined 33-9 score.
Texas 5 at Kansas City 3
W: Drese (11-6)
L: Wood (2-5)
S: Cordero (38)
David Dellucci hit 2 solo HRs, Kevin Mench had 3-run shot as Rangers won 7th straight. Ryan Drese is 7-1 in last 8 starts. Royals’ Tony Graffanino done for year needing rotator cuff surgery.
Cleveland 1 at Minnesota 5
W: Lohse (6-10)
L: Westbrook (11-6)
Kyle Lohse pitched 3-hit ball for 7 innings, Corey Koskie homered. Lohse entered 0-3 with 10.20 ERA vs. Indians this year. Jake Westbrook (6 2/3 IP, 5 R, 8 H) lost for 1st time since July 15.
